Patent Document

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. provisional application No. 62/364,598, filed Jul. 20, 2016, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to air conditioning, and more particularly to supports and mounting brackets for air conditioning units. 
         [0003]    Window air-conditioners are often dropped out of windows during installation and can fall from windows during the season. Window air-conditioner installation is often complicated and cumbersome. 
         [0004]    Other products require drilling into the home or window frame to install, have lower weight ratings and are not universally compatible. These other devices are not compatible with all window air-conditioners and typically only support up to 80 lbs. 
         [0005]    As can be seen, there is a need for an air conditioner support bracket that does not require any drilling into the home and has a higher weight rating of 150 lbs. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    In one aspect of the present invention, an air conditioner (AC) support bracket for installing an AC unit in a fenestration of a structure. The AC support bracket includes a front rail element having a wing extension defined at a left and a right end of the front rail element. The wing extensions are configured to abut a frame surrounding an interior of the fenestration. A side rail element interconnects the front rail element to an aft rail element. The side rail element has a substantially flat surface configured to support a bottom surface of the AC unit. An intermediate support member also has a substantially flat top surface is configured to be attached between the front rail element and the aft rail element. A pivot bracket attached to an aft end of the intermediate support member. The pivot arm is configured for pivotal attachment to the pivot bracket, where the pivot arm having an adjustable length by cooperative engagement of a first pivot arm segment and a second pivot arm segment. 
         [0007]    Preferably, the front rail element includes a right rail segment and a left rail segment. A plurality of slotted apertures may be defined in a spaced apart relation through a top surface each of the right rail segment and the left rail segment, wherein the right rail segment and the left rail segment are joinable to a length corresponding to a width of the fenestration, such that the wing extensions are positioned for abutment with the frame. 
         [0008]    In some embodiments, the intermediate support bracket further includes a downwardly extending sidewall along a longitudinal length of the intermediate support bracket and the pivot arm bracket is attached to the downwardly extending sidewall. In other embodiments, the side rail element may include a raised lip extending along a longitudinal length of the side rail; such that the lip is configured to abut with a side surface of the AC unit supported on the AC support bracket. 
         [0009]    A pivot aperture may be defined at an aft end of the first pivot arm segment, and a corresponding pivot aperture defined in the pivot bracket, a fastener is received through the pivot aperture and the corresponding pivot aperture. 
         [0010]    The second pivot arm segment may include a plurality of apertures defined in a spaced apart relation in a lateral sidewall thereof. The plurality of apertures are configured to adjustably join the first pivot arm segment to the second pivot arm segment. 
         [0011]    In yet other embodiments, a threaded shaft that is rotatable via an adjustment knob may be threadingly received within the pivot bracket and is configured to adjust the pivotal displacement of the pivot arm carried in the pivot bracket. The pivot arm may also include a support foot pivotally attached to a front end of the second pivot arm segment, the support foot having a substantially flat front surface configured to be placed in abutment with an exterior surface of the structure. A cushioned foot pad may be attached to the front surface of the support foot. 
         [0012]    In other embodiments, an AC support bracket for installing an AC unit in a fenestration, may include an adjustable length front rail element having a wing extension defined at a left and a right end of the front rail element. The wing extensions are configured to abut an interior face of the fenestration. The front rail element may have a right rail segment and a left rail segment and a plurality of slotted apertures defined in a spaced apart relation through a top surface each of the right rail segment and the left rail segment. The right rail segment and the left rail segment are joinable to a length corresponding to a width of the fenestration, such that the wing extensions are positioned for abutment with the frame. A side rail element interconnects the front rail element to an aft rail element. The side rail element having a substantially flat surface configured to support a bottom surface of the AC unit. An intermediate support member with a substantially flat top surface is configured to be adjustably attached between the front rail element and the aft rail element at a lateral position corresponding to a center of gravity of the AC unit. A pivot arm is configured for pivotal attachment to an aft end of AC support bracket. The pivot arm has an adjustable length by cooperative engagement of a first pivot arm segment and a second pivot arm segment, to place a front end of the pivot arm in supporting abutment against an exterior surface of the fenestration. 
         [0013]    These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0014]      FIG. 1  is an interior perspective view of the air conditioner support bracket shown in use; 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  is an exterior perspective view of the air conditioner support bracket shown in use; 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the air conditioner support bracket; 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the air conditioner support bracket shown in an exemplary initial configuration; 
           [0018]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the air conditioner support bracket shown in an exemplary secondary configuration; 
           [0019]      FIG. 6  is a perspective detail view of the air conditioner support bracket shown in an exemplary initial configuration; 
           [0020]      FIG. 7  is a perspective detail view of the air conditioner support bracket shown in an exemplary secondary configuration; 
           [0021]      FIG. 8  is a perspective detail view of the air conditioner support bracket demonstrating exemplary articulation; 
           [0022]      FIG. 9  is a side view of the air conditioner support bracket shown in use; 
           [0023]      FIG. 10  is a section detail view of the air conditioner support bracket taken along line  10 - 10  in  FIG. 1 . Shown without AC unit for illustrative clarity; and 
           [0024]      FIG. 11  is an exploded view of the air conditioner support bracket. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0025]    The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims. 
         [0026]    Broadly, embodiments of the present invention provides an air conditioner support bracket that is compatible with all brands of window air-conditioner units with no need for drilling holes into a structure during installation. The bracket of the present invention simplifies air-conditioner installation by providing a working surface to support the air-conditioner during installation. The support bracket does not require drilling to install, using specialized features to hook onto the inside of a fenestration in a wall surface and an adjustable pivot arm to support the air conditioner against an exterior wall surface. The invention is compatible with all brands of air-conditioners. 
         [0027]    As seen in reference to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the air conditioner support bracket of the present invention is shown in use to mount an air conditioning unit  52  in a wall opening, such as a window of a structure. A front end of the air conditioning unit  52  includes an air outlet that delivers conditioned air into an interior of the structure. The front end of the unit  52  has a low profile projecting through the window opening to the interior of the structure. A majority of the air condition unit  52  projects outwardly from the window opening such that a substantial portion of the weight of the unit  52  requires support from the exterior of the structure to carry the air conditioning unit  52 . To adequately install the air conditioning unit, the front end should retained in position within the window opening. 
         [0028]    The universal air conditioning support bracket of the present invention includes a plurality of frame members that are interconnected to mount and support an air conditioning unit within a window without the need for drilling fasteners into the structural members around the window opening or an exterior surface of the structure in which it is installed. The bracket is adaptable to all sizes of window air conditioning units and dimensions for the window opening. The universal air conditioning support bracket includes a front rail element and an aft rail element  10 . The aft rail element may be formed as a substantially L-shaped member having a plurality of apertures  12  defined in a spaced apart relation along a top surface of the aft rail element. 
         [0029]    A front rail element includes a right rail segment  32  and a left rail segment  38  formed of an L-shaped structural member that are configured to overlap and be joined to each other. (For a common point of reference throughout the description, the left and right are defined as viewed from the interior of the structure facing the exterior of the structure, likewise the front is used to describe the direction towards the interior of the structure, and aft would refer to the direction towards the exterior of the structure.) An outer end of the right rail segment  32  has a wing extension  36  that projects from a front surface of the right rail segment  32  inwardly towards the interior of the structure, then laterally outward. A left rail segment  38  may be formed as a mirror of the right rail segment. The left rail segment has a plurality of slotted apertures  40  defined in a spaced apart relation along a top surface thereof. A left rail wing extension  42  projects inwardly towards the interior of the structure, then laterally outward. The length of the front rail element is adjusted so that the wing extensions  36  and  42  are supported from behind by a front surface of the window frame  54 . Fasteners, such as bolts, pins, or screws are received through the slotted apertures  34  and  40  to join the right rail segment  32  to the left rail segment  38 . The location of the apertures  34 ,  40  along the top surface permits them to be masked by the air conditioning unit  52  supported on the front rail element. The absence of apertures along the front surface of the front rail element presents a neat and visually appealing appearance. 
         [0030]    A forward end of a left and right side rail  14  is attached via fasteners to the slotted apertures  34 ,  40  of the front rail element and an aft end of the left and right side rail  14  is attached to an aft rail element  10 . Preferably, the side rails are formed as identical pieces that may be reversed in their orientation for placement on either the left or right sides of the support bracket. The side rails  14  have a substantially flat top surface for supporting a bottom of the AC unit  52  and an upwardly protruding lip  16  extending along a longitudinal length of the side rail  14 . The side rails  14  are attached to the front rail element such that the upwardly protruding lip  16  is positioned laterally outwardly so that it is in abutment with a lateral side of the AC unit  52  supported by the top surface of the side rails  14 . 
         [0031]    An intermediate support rail  18  extends between the front rail element and the aft rail element  10 . The intermediate support rail  18  has a substantially flat top surface to support a bottom surface of the AC unit  52 . The intermediate support rail  18  has downwardly turned sidewalls  19  extending along a longitudinal length of the support rail  18 . The intermediate support rail  18  is preferably mounted to a central portion of the support bracket, but may be displaced to the left or the right of center to accommodate for the center of gravity for the particular air conditioning unit  52 , which due to the weight of its compressor element, tends to be located off center in many units  52 . Apertures provided at an aft end of the intermediate support rail  18  are configured to receive fasteners for attachment of a pivot arm bracket  20 . 
         [0032]    A pivot arm includes a first  22  and a second  28  pivot arm segment. The pivot arms may be formed as substantially U-shaped members. An aft end of the first pivot arm segment  22  has axially aligned apertures  20  that are configured to pivotally attach the upper pivot arm to the pivot arm bracket  20 . The second pivot arm segment  28  has a plurality of extension apertures  30  defined in a spaced apart relation along the lateral legs of the second pivot arm  28  segment. The extension apertures  30  are configured for adjustably joining the second pivot arm segment  28  to the first pivot arm segment  22 , via a fastener, such as a pin, bolt, or screw. The length of the pivot arm is adjustable via the extension apertures  30  so that the pivot arm may support an aft end of the support bracket against an outer wall  56  of the structure. 
         [0033]    A support foot  44  is pivotally attached to an end of the second pivot arm segment  22 , via a fastener. The support foot  44  has a rearwardly extending flange  46  and apertures to receive a fastener to secure the support foot to the second pivot arm segment  22 . A front surface of the support foot  44  is substantially flat, and may carry a cushioned foot pad  48  formed of a resilient material. The support foot  44  is pivotally disposed such that the substantially flat front surface may be placed in abutment with an exterior surface of the structure. The support foot  44  is pivotally adjustable to accommodate the length adjustments of the support arm as well as surface irregularities in the exterior siding of the structure. 
         [0034]    The pivot bracket  20  may be configured to threadingly receive a threaded shaft that is rotatable in the bracket via an adjustment knob  50 . The adjustment knob  50  permits selective positioning of the threaded shaft to adjust the pivotal displacement of the pivot arm in the pivot bracket  20 . 
         [0035]    In use, the components of the air conditioner support bracket may be assembled and sized according to the air conditioning unit  52  supported by the bracket and the dimensions of the opening in the structure. The left and the right rail segments  32 ,  38  are joined so that the wing extensions  38  and  42  of the front rail element will be in abutment with the wing frame  54  surrounding the window opening. The side rails  14  may then be joined to the front rail element and the aft rail element in a spaced apart relationship such that their respective lips  16  are in abutment with the lateral sidewalls of the AC unit  52 . The intermediate rail  18 , pivot arm bracket  20  and pivot arm elements  22  and  28  are attached to the support bracket. 
         [0036]    The assembled support bracket may then be mounted in the window opening. The wing extensions  36  and  42  are positioned so that they are in abutment with the frame  54  surrounding window opening on the interior of the structure. The length of the support arm is adjusted so that foot  44  carried by the support arm is positioned in abutment with the exterior wall surface  56  of the structure. The adjustment knob  50  may then be rotated to position the pivot arm in the proper orientation relative to the frame and the exterior wall surface  56  of the structure. For most air conditioning units  52 , it is highly recommended that they be installed in a substantially horizontal orientation to permit proper functioning of the compressor units and to permit the proper drainage for water vapor condensate that forms on the cold coils of the unit  52 . The adjustability of the pivot arm length, its pivot angle, and the pivotal disposition of the support foot permit a wide range of adjustability for almost any type of air conditioning unit and siding configurations of exterior wall surface  56 . 
         [0037]    Once the air conditioning support bracket is mounted within the window opening, the air conditioning unit  52  is positioned on the support bracket within the window opening. Advantageously, because the unique construction and configuration of the air conditioner support bracket permits mounting without the need for the attachment of fasteners to the structure, the bracket and the air conditioning unit  52  may be installed from either the exterior or the interior of the structure. Installation from the interior is particularly advantageous for windows in a multi-story structure that are not located on a ground floor. 
         [0038]    It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.

Technology Category: f