Patent ID: 12222116

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The embodiments discussed hereinafter are directed in part to an adjustable mounting assembly for mounting an outdoor unit of an air conditioning unit, for example, at a window, and a method therefor that utilizes the disclosed mounting assembly for outdoor unit mounting/installation. The functionality of the disclosed apparatus is a significant improvement over known designs. The apparatus described herein not only provides an easy solution to install the air conditioning outdoor unit, but also enables a potentially easy manner of adjusting the outdoor unit positions. The embodiments shown and described include various converting/lifting mechanisms that provide flexibility of the disposition of the outdoor unit. As will be shown and described below, the adjustable mounting assembly may be equipped with various lifting mechanisms, such as a counterbalance mechanism or a scissor lifting mechanism, for moving the outdoor unit positions from a loading position to an installed position. Applications in which such adjustable mounting assembly are of importance may include, but not be limited to, the installation of an outdoor unit of a conventional split type air conditioning unit or a hybrid window air conditioning unit. Additionally, such mounting assembly may be employed in various other applications (e.g., an adjustable assembly for holding items other than air conditioning outdoor units). In general, the disclosed apparatus is convenient to use, provides secured installations, and permits easy adjustments of the apparatus itself and movements of the outdoor unit positions thereon.

It is to be understood that an adjustable mounting assembly 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 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. Turning now to the drawings, wherein like numbers denote like parts throughout the several views,FIGS.1-2illustrate a generalized perspective view to show the overall configuration of a split/hybrid type window air conditioning unit10. Referring toFIGS.1-2, the air conditioning unit10may include an indoor unit12, an outdoor unit14, and a connection unit16containing the piping/wiring between the indoor unit12and the outdoor unit14. The air conditioning unit10may be applied for different room/window configurations. For example,FIG.1is an indoor perspective view illustrating the configuration of the air conditioning unit10installed in a room with a vertical sliding window2. In some other embodiments not shown here, the air conditioning unit10may also be installed in a room with a side sliding window. In some embodiments, the indoor unit12may be mounted generally at any height on an interior wall1, but preferably is mounted within approximately one to approximately four feet from the top of an interior wall1to improve the airflow distribution and sound performance. As the outdoor heat exchanger within the outdoor unit14emits hot air while cooling and cold air while heating to supply cooling energy or heating energy to the indoor unit12, respectively, the outdoor unit14may be installed at, for example, a position where an air passage is reserved for thermal exchange with the outdoor environment and that is not very far from the indoor unit12, for example, on the ground, on the window balcony, on the roof, in the garage, in the yard, and the like. In some embodiments as shown here, the air conditioning unit10may include a height adjustable mounting assembly100for holding the outdoor unit14at the window2. As shown inFIGS.2and3, the adjustable mounting assembly100may be disposed on a window sill3of the window2and supported by a support leg against an exterior wall5. It should be understood that the type of air conditioning unit that can be utilized with the adjustable mounting assembly100of the present disclosure can be many types of air conditioning units, including but not limited to the type of air conditioning unit disclosed in co-pending application U.S. application Ser. No. 17/566,416, filed on Dec. 30, 2021, the entire contents of which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

The adjustable mounting assembly of the present disclosure may include various configurations and adjusting mechanisms. For example, as shown inFIGS.3-8, the adjustable mounting assembly100relates to a counterbalance mechanism with one or more sliding assemblies104vertically moving in one or more vertical guide tracks101for supporting a first work surface/platform106mounted on a frame102for holding the outdoor unit14of the air conditioning unit10. In such embodiments, the sliding element104may exert a substantially constant force on moving the outdoor unit14along with the platform106throughout the entire vertical travel along the vertical guide track101. Referring toFIGS.3-7, in such embodiments, the mounting assembly100may include the main frame102having an opening formed therein for receiving the platform106for holding the outdoor unit14. The frame102may include the vertical guide track101with a first track end101aand a second track end101b, and a sliding element104may be slidable within the vertical guide track101between a first position at the first track end101aand a second position at the second track end101b. The first platform106may be supported by the sliding element104, so that a height of the first platform106holding the outdoor unit14may be switched through a sliding movement of the sliding element104within the vertical guide track101between the first track end101aand the second track end101b. It should be understood that the first platform106may be omitted in some embodiments, for example, the outdoor unit14may be supported by the sliding element104directly. In such embodiments, the sliding element104may be fixed on the bottom side of the outdoor unit14.

In some embodiments, the mounting assembly100may further include a horizontal connection rail108coupled to the frame102. In such embodiments, the frame102may include a frame support bracket102afor resting upon the horizontal connection rail108. In some embodiments, the frame support bracket102aof the frame102may include a plurality of frame adjusting openings102b, and the horizontal connection rail108may also include a plurality of corresponding adjusting openings108b. The adjusting openings102band108bmay be defined in a spaced-apart relation to adjust a relative position between the frame102and the horizontal connection rail108to adjust a distance of the frame102from the window2. In some embodiments, the frame102may include a frame bottom plate102cfor supporting the platform106holding the outdoor unit14in an installed position. It should be understood that the frame bottom plate102cand the platform106may have a variety of shapes such as, square, circular, or rectangular. It should be also understood that the frame bottom plate102cand/or the platform106may be strong/rigid enough to support the weight of the outdoor unit14and prevent potential binding. In some embodiments, a cross member102dmay be provided to reinforce the stability of the frame102.

In some embodiments, a window support rail110with a first window rail support end109and a second window support rail end111may be coupled to the horizontal connection rail108. For example, the horizontal connection rail108may include a fastener opening108cfor coupling with a window support rail fastener opening110d. In some embodiments, a length of the window support rail110may be adjustable. For example, as best shown inFIG.7, the window support rail110may include a plurality of telescoping rails110a,110b, and110c, and the length of the window support rail110may be adjusted by adjusting a position of the plurality of telescoping rails110a-crelative to one another. In some embodiments, the plurality of telescoping rails110a-cmay include a plurality of adjusting openings110eas shown inFIG.7for adjusting the position of the plurality of telescoping rails110a-crelative to one another to allow the first window support rail end109and the second window support rail end111to abut an inside jamb4surrounding the window2of various dimensions. When a desired length of the window support rail110is reached, a fastener (e.g., a screw) may be inserted through one of the plurality of adjusting openings110eto fix the relative positions of the plurality of telescoping rails110a-c.

In some embodiments, a wall support leg112with a wall support foot113may be provided to allow the mounting assembly100to rest against an exterior wall5below the window2. The wall support leg112may be coupled to the horizontal connection rail108via fastening between a fastener opening112aof the wall support leg112and one of the plurality of adjusting openings108bof the horizontal connection rail108. In such embodiments, the wall support foot113may be configured to abut a structure surface (e.g., the exterior wall5) below the window2, to provide additional support for the installation of the mounting assembly100besides the support by the window support rail110. In some embodiments, the relative angles between the wall support foot113and the wall support leg112may be adjusted so that wall support foot113may abut a sloped structure surface below the window. In such embodiments, the adjustment may be achieved by rotating the wall support foot113about a support foot angle adjusting pivot112band113b. In some embodiments, the first window support rail end109, the second window support rail end111, and the wall support foot113may further include a cushioned pad (e.g., foam, rubber, etc.), respectively, to increase the friction between the support end/foot and the window jamb/wall. In some other embodiments, instead of cushioned pads, the window support end109, the second window support end111, and the wall support foot113may include one or more fastener openings109a,111a, and113a(e.g., for fasteners such as screws going through), respectively, for further securement of the mounting assembly100.

In some embodiments, the mounting assembly100may include a second platform114supported by the horizontal connection rail108for holding the outdoor unit14at the window sill3of the window2before the outdoor unit14is moved to the first platform106to facilitate the installation process. For example, as shown inFIGS.4-6, the second platform114may include a second platform support bracket114afor resting upon the horizontal connection rail108, and the second platform114may be removable/slidable from the horizontal connection rail108after the outdoor unit14is moved to the first platform106. In such embodiments, the first platform106may be configured to move between a first position and a second position. The first position may be a loading position in which the outdoor unit14is moved from the second platform114to the first platform106with a same height as the window sill3of the window2, and the second position may be a final installed position in which the outdoor unit14is lowered as desired by a user to a position that does not block the window2. In different embodiments, the outdoor unit14may be removably fixed to the first platform106(e.g., through one or more fasteners) before or after the outdoor unit14is lowered into the installed position, or the outdoor unit14may be not fixed to the first platform106at all.

In some embodiments, the mounting assembly100may include a horizontal reinforce rail116coupled to the horizontal connection rail108and being opposite to the window support rail110. For example, a fastener may be inserted through a connection rail fastening bracket108aof the horizontal connection rail108and a reinforce rail fastening bracket116aof the horizontal reinforce rail116to couple the horizontal reinforce rail116to the horizontal connection rail108of the mounting assembly100. In such embodiments, the horizontal reinforce rail116may further reinforce the strength of the frame102and secure the outdoor unit14during installation process, for example, prevent the outdoor unit14from sliding out from the frame102.

As mentioned previously, the present embodiments includes a counterbalance lifting mechanism to provide a counter-weighting force to offset the constant load of the outdoor unit14and the first platform106. For example, as shown inFIGS.8and8A-C, the sliding element104may include a carriage/spring housing107containing a spring coil103with a first spring end103aand a second spring end103b. The first spring end103amay be coupled to the first track end101a, and the second strip end103bmay be an end of the spring coil strip103within the spring housing107. For example, the second strip end103bof the spring103may be coupled to a pulley mounted within a spring housing107. The spring coil103may be a thin, coiled steel ribbon/strap that is at rest when fully rolled up. As shown inFIGS.8A and8B, in some embodiments, the first spring end103aof the spring coil103may include one or more spring openings103cconfigured to couple to a spring fixation member117at the first track end101avia a pin-slot mechanism. In some embodiments, as shown inFIG.8A, the spring housing107may include an opening105for accommodating a platform support rail115to support the platform106as shown inFIGS.7and8A-C. In some embodiments, instead of integrating the spring coil103into the spring housing107, the spring coil103may also be integrated into the outdoor unit14and/or the vertical guide track101directly. It should be understood that the coupling between the first spring end103aof the spring coil103and the first track end101a, and the coupling between the first platform106and the sliding element104are not limited and may be in any known manners, such as welding, adhesion, molding, fastening, etc.

With the first spring end103aof the spring coil103fixed at the first track end101aof the vertical guide track101as shown inFIG.8A, the spring coil103may become charged with force when the sliding element14is sliding within the vertical guide track101as shown inFIG.8Bby partially or completely unrolling the spring coil103. When the second spring end103bof the spring coil103is released without any counterbalance force, the spring coil103may recoil, pulling the extended second spring end103balong with the spring housing107back and rolling up rightly. Accordingly, the spring coil103may be configured to lead the sliding element104to slide within the first guide track101between the first track end101aand the second track end101b. In some embodiments, the spring coil103may have a constant force value equal to the weight of the outdoor unit14combined with the first platform106supported thereby. For example, the constant force spring coil103may be tuned to hold the weight of the outdoor unit14and the first platform106in place until they are forced up or down by the user. In such embodiments, the weight of the outdoor unit14and/or the first platform106may offset the linear force exerted in conjunction with the spring coil103to provide a relatively constant counter-weighting force. Since the upward force provided by the spring coil103of the sliding element104may be equal to the weight of the outdoor unit14and the first platform106, the user may only need to apply a small downward force to break the balance to push the unit down into the installed position. In some embodiments, the spring coil103may be balanced specifically to the center of the weight distribution of the outdoor unit14and the first platform106to provide a smooth translational movement. It should be understood that the constant force value of the spring coil103may be equal to the weight of the outdoor unit14in those embodiments that the first platform106is omitted and the outdoor unit14is supported by the counterbalance sliding element104directly.

In some embodiments, the constant force of the spring coil103may be adjustable for a different weight/load on the platform106(e.g., a different outdoor unit14thereon). This adjustment may be accomplished by adjusting the preload force on the spring coil103, which may be achieved by changing the initial amount of compression of the spring coil103. For example, for a greater load on the platform106, the spring coil103may have a greater initial compression. It should be understood that the adjustment may also be achieved in any other known manners, such as using different spring coil materials. In some embodiments, the mounting assembly100may also be provided with a damping mechanism to increase the operation safety by preventing accelerated movement of the outdoor unit14and/or associated platform106if the load or weight of the object is changed. The damping mechanism may be a coil spring, a spring damper, a pneumatic spring (gas spring), or any other type of suitable components to slow the descent of the outdoor unit14during installation.

It should be understood that the number of the counterbalance sliding elements104may vary. For example, there may be only one or more than one sliding elements104within the vertical guide track101. For example, in some embodiments, there may be sliding elements104at each vertical guide track101of the frame102(i.e. total four sliding elements104), or there may be only two sliding elements104within opposite vertical guide tracks101(e.g., front and back, or left and right side) of the frame102with total four vertical guide tracks101. For example, for a 28-pound outdoor unit14, there may be four 7-pound force sliding elements104or two 14-pound force sliding elements104. In some embodiments, the force of the plurality of sliding elements104may be not equal. For example, the sliding elements104may have different force values based on the weight distribution of the outdoor unit14and the first platform106.

It should be understood that any suitable counterbalance spring or similar counterbalance mechanism configured to lift and support loads may be applied here to counteract the weight of the outdoor unit14and the first platform106and provide balance for user control. For example, the spring coil103may be a different force storage mechanism instead of a coil spring, such as for instance, a pneumatic spring (also known as a gas spring), so that the platform106may be supported by a variety of counterbalance mechanisms to balance the weight of the outdoor unit14thereon and to assist in the translation of the unit up and down.

In some other embodiments, different lifting mechanisms may be used.FIGS.9-11illustrate a second embodiment of an adjustable mounting assembly200that embodies the principles of a scissor lifting mechanism204. The scissor lifting mechanism204is a means for altering the height of a platform206by controlling the sliding positions of the plurality of scissor rods205to raise or lower the platform206. In such embodiments, as shown in the exploded view ofFIG.11, the mounting assembly200may include a top horizontal guide bracket202and a bottom horizontal guide bracket203positioned parallel to each other, and a scissor lifting mechanism204including a plurality of pivoted scissor rods205may be arranged therebetween. The top horizontal guide bracket202and the bottom horizontal guide bracket203may include a top horizontal guide track202aand a bottom horizontal guide track203a, respectively. In some embodiments, the top horizontal guide bracket track202aand the bottom horizontal guide track203amay be a slot (e.g., a projecting linear bar) built in the top horizontal guide bracket202and the bottom horizontal guide bracket203, respectively, on or in which the scissor rod205may slidably engage. In some embodiments, a bottom surface of the platform206may be coupled to the top horizontal guide bracket202to connect the plurality of scissor rods205to the platform206. In some embodiments, the top horizontal guide bracket202and the track202amay be integral with the bottom surface of the tabletop platform206, such as a slot through molding, routing, casting, or machining. Alternatively, the top horizontal guide bracket202and the track202amay be separate components, such as shown here, attached to a platform support206aof the platform support bracket206in any known manner, such as welding, adhesion, molding, fastening, etc.

In some embodiments, the scissor lifting mechanism204may include a first, top section204aslidably coupled within the top horizontal guide track202aand a second, bottom section204bslidably coupled within the bottom horizontal guide track203a. A platform206may be supported by the scissor lifting mechanism204, so that the height of the platform206holding the outdoor unit14may be adjustable through a sliding movement of the scissor lifting mechanism204within the top horizontal guide bracket202and the bottom horizontal guide bracket203. For example, the platform206may be configured to move from the first, loading position as shown inFIG.9to the second, installed position as shown inFIG.10in a controlled motion. Furthermore, the scissor lifting mechanism204may include a plurality of scissor rods205as the primary components of the scissor lifting mechanism. In some embodiments, the scissor lifting mechanism204may be a two-stage scissor lifting mechanism, and the plurality of scissor rods205(e.g., four rods as shown inFIGS.9-11) may be coupled to each other through a plurality of pivots207(e.g., a top, first pivot207a, a middle, second pivot207b, and a bottom, third pivot207c), which allow the scissor lifting mechanism204to perform an extension motion and a contractive motion. For the scissor lifting mechanism204as shown here, the first pivot207aand the third pivot207cmay be positioned approximately in the middle along the length of the scissor rod205, and the second pivot207bmay be positioned between the pivot207aand the third pivot207cand at the end of the scissor rod205. Consequently, the plurality of rods205may be rotatably connected at the first, second, and third pivots207a-c, which creates a range of motion that facilitates the extension motion and the contractive motion of the scissor lifting mechanism204. The plurality of scissor rods205of the scissor lifting mechanism204may be connected to the platform206in such a manner to be able to slide through a plurality of positions with respect to one another, providing the platform206with different heights. For example, the plurality of rods205of the scissor lifting mechanism204translates towards each other while the platform206in the first, loading position as shown inFIG.9and may translate apart while the platform206in the second, installed position as shown inFIG.10.

In some embodiments, the top end section204aand the bottom end section204bof the scissor lifting mechanism204may include a scissor sliding element to facilitate the sliding movement of the plurality of scissor rods205. In some embodiments, the scissor sliding element at the top end section204aand the bottom end section204bmay be a leg sliding bracket and be attached to the end of the scissor rod205through a fastener, such as a bolt. In some other embodiments, the scissor sliding element may include be leg sliding roller. In some embodiments, the top horizontal guide bracket202and the bottom horizontal guide bracket203may further include a sliding element track221, respectively, for coupling the plurality of sliding elements. In some embodiments, there may be a plurality of scissor lifting mechanisms204that are positioned in a manner to uniformly support the platform206. For example, there may be two scissor lifting mechanisms204opposite each other as shown here.

In some embodiments, the adjustable mounting assembly200may also include a horizontal connection rail208coupled to the scissor lifting mechanism204via the top horizontal guide track202. In such embodiments, the adjustable mounting assembly200may further include a vertical guide plate201with a first, top guide plate end201aand a second, bottom guide plate end201b. The first guide plate end201amay be coupled to the horizontal connection rail208and the top horizontal guide bracket202as shown inFIG.11, and the second guide plate end201bmay be coupled to the bottom horizontal guide bracket203. In some embodiments, the horizontal connection rail208may also include a plurality of corresponding opening208bdefined in a spaced-apart relation to adjust a relative position between the vertical guide plate201and the horizontal connection rail208to adjust a distance of the mounting assembly200from the window2. In some embodiments, the vertical guide plate201may include a vertical guide support bracket201cfor coupling to the horizontal connection rail208. In some embodiments, the mounting assembly200may also include a second platform (not shown here) supported by the horizontal connection rail208for holding the outdoor unit14at the window sill3of the window2before the outdoor unit14is moved to the platform206to facilitate the installation process.

In some embodiments, the vertical guide plate201may further include a tension spring214coupled to the scissor lifting mechanism204and expanded/compressed along a vertical guide plate track201don the vertical guide plate201for damping the lifting movement thereof. In some embodiments, one or both ends of the spring214may be attached to one or more spring coupling shaft215. For example, in some embodiments as shown inFIG.11, a top, fixed end of the spring214may be attached to the vertical guide plate201via a first coupling shaft215a, and a bottom, moving end of the spring214may be attached to a second coupling shaft215b. In some embodiments, the second coupling shaft215bmay be coupled to the scissor lifting mechanism204via one of the plurality of scissor rod pivots207(e.g., coupling the second coupling shaft215bto the second pivot207bas shown here). In some embodiments, a vertical slot shaped spring housing216with a spring housing track216acorresponding to the vertical guide plate track201dmay be provided on the vertical guide plate201for containing the spring214. It should be understood that the locations/configurations/dimensions of the vertical guide plate track201dand the spring housing track216amay be varied based on the configurations of the spring214. In such embodiments with the tension spring214, the lifting movement may be controlled in part by the extended spring214attached to the scissor lifting mechanism204, so that the spring214is extended and provides a lifting force when the platform206is in the installed position, but does not provide any lifting force after the platform206rises to a certain height. In some embodiments, the moving end of the spring214may be mounted to the platform206instead of the scissor lifting mechanism204.

In some embodiments, one or more gas spring (pneumatic) mechanisms217may also be provided to stabilize the extension and the contractive motions of the scissor lifting mechanism204. In some embodiments, the gas spring mechanism207may be positioned adjacent to the horizontal bottom guide track203of the scissor lifting mechanism204as shown inFIGS.9-11. In some embodiments with plurality of scissor lifting mechanisms204, each scissor lifting mechanism204may be provided with the gas spring mechanisms217for a uniform motion control. In some embodiments, the gas spring mechanism217may include a cylinder end218and a piston end219, which are positioned opposite to each other along the length of a piston rod220. The cylinder end218may be connected to the translational pivot end219through the piston rod220. Thus, the gas spring mechanisms217may exert a force on the scissor lifting mechanism204to compensate for the weight of the outdoor unit14and/or the platform206during motion. In some embodiments as shown inFIG.10, the cylinder end218may be coupled to the horizontal bottom guide track203through a spring house opening216b, and the piston end219may be coupled to the bottom end section204bof the scissor lifting mechanisms204through the bottom horizontal guide track203a. The cylinder end218may be filled with compressed gas that is used to quickly force the piston end219through a driving stroke movement. During operation, when the platform206is in the first, loading position, the piston end2019may also be in its starting position with compressed gas within the cylinder end218thereby preparing for the driving stroke led by the scissor lifting mechanisms204to move the platform206to the second, installed position in a controlled manner. Thus, the piston end209may move back and forth along the bottom horizontal guide track203aas the gas spring mechanism217compresses or expands for damping the movement of the scissor lifting mechanism204. In some embodiments, the strength of the gas spring mechanisms217may be adjusted based on the load of the outdoor unit14placed on the platform206.

In some embodiments, a window support rail210may be coupled to the horizontal connection rail208. For example, the horizontal connection rail208may include a fastener opening208cfor coupling with a window support rail fastener opening210d. In some embodiments, a length of the window support rail210may be adjustable. For example, as best shown inFIG.11, the window support rail210may include a plurality of telescoping rails210a,210b, and210c, and the length of the window support rail210may be adjusted by adjusting a position of the plurality of telescoping rails210a-crelative to one another. In some embodiments, the plurality of telescoping rails210a-cmay include a plurality of adjusting openings210eas shown inFIG.11for adjusting the position of the plurality of telescoping rails210a-crelative to one another to allow the first window support rail end209and the second window support rail end211to abut the inside jamb4surrounding the window2of various dimensions. When a desired length of the window support rail210is reached, a fastener (e.g., a screw) may be inserted through one of the plurality of adjusting openings210eto fix the relative positions of the plurality of telescoping rails210a-c.

In some embodiments, a wall support leg212with a wall support foot213may be provided to allow the mounting assembly200to rest against the exterior wall5below the window2. The wall support leg212may be coupled to the horizontal connection rail208via fastening between a coupling opening212aof the wall support leg212and one of the plurality of adjusting openings208bof the horizontal connection rail208. In such embodiments, the wall support foot213may be configured to abut the exterior wall5below the window2, to provide additional support for the installation of the mounting assembly200besides the support by the window support rail210. In some embodiments, the relative angles between the wall support foot213and the wall support leg212may be adjusted so that wall support foot213may abut a sloped structure surface below the window. In such embodiments, the adjustment may be achieved by rotating the wall support foot213about a support foot angle adjusting pivot212band213b. In some embodiments, the first window support rail end209, the second window support rail end211, and the wall support foot213may further include a cushioned pad (e.g., foam, rubber, etc.), respectively, to increase the friction between the support end/foot and the window jamb/wall. In some other embodiments, instead of cushioned pads, the window support end209, the second window support end211, and the wall support foot213may include one or more fastener openings209a,211a, and213a(e.g., for fasteners such as screws going through), respectively, for further securement of the mounting assembly200.

In some embodiments, the mounting assembly100may include a horizontal reinforce rail222coupled to the horizontal connection rail208and being opposite to the window support rail210. For example, a fastener may be inserted through a connection rail fastening bracket208aof the horizontal connection rail208and a reinforce rail fastening bracket222aof the horizontal reinforce rail222to couple the horizontal reinforce rail222to the horizontal connection rail208of the mounting assembly200. In such embodiments, the horizontal reinforce rail216may further reinforce the strength of the mounting assembly200and secure the outdoor unit14during installation process, for example, prevent the outdoor unit14from sliding out from the mounting assembly200.

It should be understood that the fastener used for outdoor unit mounting assembly100,200may be any other suitable configurations/mechanisms, such as, a nut combined with a screw/shaft, geometric coupling (e.g., pin and slots, French cleats, etc.), and fasteners of many types (e.g., screws, rivets, pins, ball detents, etc.). It should be also understood that various fastening features (e.g., snaps or spring clips, swaged/flared pins, bendable tabs, etc.) may be additionally provided for further securement, without risk of loosening or displacement, while further easing the installation process. In some embodiments, the mounting assembly100,200may be made from one or more of metal, plastic, composite, or other materials known in the industry that provides the properties of rigidity and weather resistance for mounting on various structures. For example, in some embodiments, the mounting assembly100,200may be manufactured from hard plastic or metal (e.g., stainless steel, aluminum, etc.). In some embodiments, the mounting assembly100,200may be painted with a water proof UV-resistant material. Thus, the mounting assembly100,200may be configured to support outdoor unit14steadily during severe weather.

FIG.12illustrates a flowchart of an example sequence1200of operations for installing the outdoor unit14of the air conditioning unit10using the adjustable mounting assembly100as shown inFIGS.2-8. Sequence1200begins in block1202by positioning the outdoor unit14on the second platform114of the mounting assembly100as shown inFIG.4. Next, the user may move the outdoor unit14on the outdoor unit mounting assembly100from the second platform114to the first platform106in block1204as shown inFIG.5. Then, the user may operate the mounting assembly100to allow the first platform106holding the outdoor unit14to move from the first, loading position to the second, installed position as shown inFIG.6in block1206as desired, for a full window view. In some embodiments, the user may remove the second platform114from the mounting assembly100after the outdoor unit14is moved from the second platform114to the first platform106in the dashed block1208as desired by the user. In some embodiments, the operation of the mounting assembly100to move the outdoor unit14from the first, loading position to the second, installed position may include manually pushing down the outdoor unit14on the first platform106by the user.

FIG.13illustrates a flowchart of an example sequence1300of operations for installing the outdoor unit14of the air conditioning unit10using the adjustable mounting assembly200as shown inFIGS.9-11. Sequence1300begins in block1302by positioning the outdoor unit14on the platform206of the mounting assembly200as shown inFIG.9. Next, the user may operate the mounting assembly200to move the outdoor unit14on the platform206from the first, loading position to the second, installed position as shown inFIG.10in block1304. It should be understood that the operation of the adjustable mounting assembly200is similar here as the user may also raise or lower the platform206holding the outdoor unit14by manually applying a downward or upward force. Thus, with the adjustable mounting assembly100,200, the installation of the outdoor unit14is easy to achieve, requiring merely positioning the outdoor unit14on the assembly and pushing down the unit. The outdoor unit14may then be disposed in a position substantially flush with or below the level of the window sill3of the window2as shown inFIGS.2and3, so that the user may be able to open/close the window2freely with a full window view.

In summary, the installation of the proposed adjustable mounting assembly100,200may be achieved by its DIY capable design without the need of a professional air conditioning technician. The proposed adjustable mounting assembly100,200for air conditioning outdoor unit provides an easy solution with a low cost to a full window view after installation. The adjustable mounting assembly100,200is durable and easy to construct, allowing for an easy height adjustment of the outdoor unit14mounted thereon without consuming electricity. The mounting assembly100,200enables a user to easily lower the outdoor unit14by applying a relatively small downward force on the unit. The simple structures of the proposed adjusting mechanisms not only ease the operation and maintenance but also reduce the manufacture cost.

It should also be understood that the mounting assembly100,200may be a variety of constructions, shapes, sizes, quantities, and positions but still accomplish the same intent. The elements depicted in the figures may not be drawn to scale and thus, the elements may have different sizes and/or configurations other than as shown in the figures.

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 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, and/or method described herein. In addition, any combination of two or more such features, systems, articles, materials, and/or methods, if such features, systems, articles, materials, 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, Section 2111.03.

It is to be understood that the embodiments are not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Unless limited otherwise, the terms “connected,” “coupled,” “in communication with,” 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 physical or mechanical connections or couplings.

The foregoing description of several embodiments of the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise steps and/or forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching.