MOUNTING CLAMP

Abstract

During a manufacturing process of an air conditioning system, different components of the air conditioning system may be mounted to a frame or an attachment panel of the air conditioning system. A mounting clamp that is configured to facilitate mounting of a component of the air conditioning system is described. The mounting clamp may have an “E” shaped profile that includes a plurality of finger grips to latch onto an edge of the components. It may also have ribs and wall structures to help enhance the structural strength of the mounting clamp while maintaining a relatively small profile and/or weight of the mounting clamp.

Description

PRIORITY

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/622286, entitled “MOUNTING CLAMP”, filed Apr. 10, 2012, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY

The embodiments disclosed herein relate generally to a mounting clamp. More particularly, the embodiments relate to a mounting clamp for mounting components of a transport air conditioning system, such as a blower/fan, to a frame or an attachment panel of the air conditioning system.

BACKGROUND

During a manufacturing or a installation process, an air conditioning system often requires components of the air conditioning system to be mounted to a frame or a panel of the air conditioning system. For example, in a transport air conditioning system, a fan and/or a blower may be attached to an attachment panel before the installation of the fan. The components can be attached to the frame or panel by different suitable mounting methods and devices, such as fasteners and nuts.

SUMMARY

Mounting clamps that facilitate easy mounting of components is provided. In particular, mounting clamps that are configured to facilitate mounting of a component of an air conditioning system is provided. The mounting clamps may help reduce the time and cost required for manufacturing/installing the air conditioning system.

The mounting clamp may have a plurality of finger grips to latch onto an edge of a component's base, so that the component can be held in place by the finger grips. It may also have structural features, such as ribs and wall structures, to help enhance the structural strength of the mounting clamp while maintaining a relatively small profile/weight. A bottom of the finger grip may have anti-skid treads to help the mounting clamp grip the edge of the component.

In one embodiment, the mounting clamp may have a front face, a back face, a top surface and a bottom surface, and a plurality of protrusions extending perpendicularly out of the front face. Each of the plurality of protrusions can have a finger grip extending downwardly toward the bottom surface. The finger grips and the front face can form a plurality of grip arches that are configured to latch onto the edge of the component's base. The grip arches can be configured to accommodate various configurations of the edge of the component's base.

In one embodiment, the top surface of the mounting clamp may have a first pocket and the bottom surface may have a second pocket. The first pocket and the second pocket may be concentric, and a center of the first pocket and a center of the second pocket may be positioned at about a middle position of the mounting clamp along a length of the mounting clamp. The first pocket and the second pocket may be configured to accommodate a fastener and a nut. The mounting clamp can be installed to an attachment panel with a single fastener, and/or, in some embodiments, a single nut through the first and second pockets.

In some embodiments, the top surface of the mounting clamp may have a plurality of longitudinal ribs and latitudinal ribs that are raised from the top surface of the mounting clamp. In some embodiments, the longitudinal ribs and latitudinal ribs foil an integral structure on the top surface. In some embodiments, the bottom surface has a plurality of apertures separated by wall structures extending between the front face and the back face. The wall structures and/or the ribs can enhance the structural strength of the mounting clamp while maintaining a relatively small profile and/or total weight of the mounting clamp. The wall structures and ribs can also be configured and/or arranged to enhance the structural strength of a specific region(s), for example a region that may have to bear more stress than other regions of the mounting clamp in use.

In some embodiments, the mounting clamp may include two mirror-imaged portions. Therefore, the mounting clamp may be used from any side of the component.

In some embodiments, the mounting clamp may have a transition surface between the bottom surface and the front surface along the length of the mounting clamp. In some other embodiments, the end finger grips can each have an enlarged entry for the grip arch. The transition surface and the enlarged entry can help guide the edge of the component to slide into the grip arch from an end of the mounting clamp.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring now to the drawings in which like reference numbers represent corresponding parts throughout.

FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic view of a vehicle with an air conditioning system.

FIGS. 2A to 2I illustrate different perspective views of a mounting clamp. FIG. 2A illustrates a top perspective view of the mounting clamp.

FIG. 2B illustrates a bottom perspective view of the mounting clamp

FIG. 2C illustrates a front view of the mounting clamp.

FIG. 2D illustrates a rear view of the mounting clamp.

FIG. 2E illustrates a side view of the mounting clamp.

FIG. 2F illustrates a top view of the mounting clamp.

FIG. 2G illustrates a bottom view of the mounting clamp.

FIG. 2H illustrates an enlarged top view of a locknut capture pocket of the mounting clamp.

FIG. 2I illustrates a sectional and explosive view of the mounting clamp with a fastener and a nut from a line AA in FIG. 2C or 2D.

FIG. 3A illustrates a schematic view of a blower installed on an attachment panel of an air conditioning system using the mounting clamp.

FIG. 3B illustrates a schematic view of using the mounting clamp illustrated in FIGS. 2A to 2I to mount a blower to an attachment panel of an air conditioning system.

FIG. 3C illustrates another view of using the mounting clamps to mount a blower to the attachment panel of an air conditioning system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system, such as a transport air conditioning system, typically includes a compressor, a condenser, an evaporator, and a fan and/or a blower to facilitate air circulation. During a manufacturing process of the air conditioning system, different components of the air conditioning system may be mounted to a frame or a panel of the air conditioning system. Fasteners and nuts are often used to mount the components to the frame or the attachment panel.

In the following description of the illustrated embodiments, a mounting clamp that is configured to facilitate mounting of a component, such as a fan or a blower of a transport air conditioning system is described. While the embodiments disclosed below are directed to mounting clamps for clamping a component, such as a fan or a blower, to an attachment panel in the transport air conditioning system, the mounting clamp may be used to mount other components of an air conditioning system, and may be used to mount any object to a frame, panel or another object. The mounting clamp may have an “E” shaped profile that includes a plurality of finger grips to latch onto an edge of the components. It may also have structural features, such as ribs and wall structures, to help enhance structural strength of the mounting clamp while maintaining a relatively small profile and/or weight. A bottom of the finger grips may be configured to have anti-skid treads to help the mounting clamp grip to the edge of the components.

References are made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration of the embodiments in which the mounting clamp may be practiced. It is to be understood that the terms used herein are for the purpose of describing the figures and embodiments and should not be regarding as limiting the scope of the present application.

Embodiments as described herein can be generally used in a manufacturing/installation process of a transport air conditioning system 100 for a temperature-controlled vehicle 120 as illustrated in FIG. 1. The temperature-controlled vehicle 120 can be a school bus, a recreation vehicle, a van or any other types of vehicles. The air conditioning system 100 has an internal unit 130 that is positioned inside the vehicle 120. The internal unit 130 has a blower(s) 140 that is installed on an attachment panel 150. The blower 140 can facilitate heat exchange between an internal space of the vehicle 120 and an evaporator (not shown) in the internal unit 130. The blower 140 may be a squirrel cage fan.

FIGS. 2A to 2I illustrate different views of an embodiment of a mounting clamp 200, which may be used, for example, to mount the blower 140 to the attachment panel 150 as shown in FIG. 1. Referring now to FIG. 2A, the top perspective view of the mounting clamp 200 is shown. The mounting clamp 200 has a length L that defines a longitudinal axis and a width W that defines a latitudinal axis. The length L is generally larger than the width W. In one embodiment, the length L is about 5.0 inches. In one embodiment, the width W is about 0.8 inch. The ranges of the length L and the width W are exemplary and can be configured to satisfy, for example, design requirements.

The mounting clamp 200 has a front face 210 and a back face 220, as well as a first end 221 and a second end 222. The mounting clamp 200 generally has an “E” shaped profile that includes three protrusions 211a, 211b and 211c arranged along the longitudinal axis and are generally extend perpendicularly from the front face 210. The protrusions 211a, 211b and 211c have downwardly extended finger grips 212a, 212b and 212c respectively. The center finger grip 212b is generally positioned at about a middle position along the length L of the mounting clamp 200. The end fingers 212a and 212c are positioned at the first end 221 and second end 222 respectively. The center finger 212b has a generally planar profile. The end finger grips 212a and 212c generally have an L-shaped profile. As shown in FIG. 2A, the L-shaped end finger grips 212a and 212c have end tips 225a and 225c of the L-shaped profile. The end tips 225a and 225c extend in a direction that is away from the front face 210.

It is to be appreciated that the mounting clamp 200 may have more or less than three protrusions/finger grips. In some embodiments, the mounting clamp 200 may have one protrusion/finger grip. In some other embodiments, the mounting clamp 200 may have more than three protrusions/finger grips. As discussed below, having a plurality of mounting protrusions/finger grips can help the mounting clamp 200 to clear from obstacles in some applications.

FIG. 2A also illustrates an imaginary plane P that is generally perpendicular to the front face 210 and the back face 220, and intersects the mounting clamp 200 at about the middle position of the length L. The plane P can divide the mounting clamp 200 into two roughly minor-imaged portions 200L and 200R. Generally, features, such as features described in this document, are similarly duplicated in both the 200L and the 200R portions.

A top surface 230 has longitudinal ribs 231a extending and latitudinal ribs 231b rising out of the top surface 230. The longitudinal ribs 231a generally extend in the longitudinal axis that is defined by the length L. The latitudinal ribs 231b generally extend in the latitudinal axis that is defined by the width W. In one embodiment, the longitudinal ribs 231a is about 1.5 inches, and the latitudinal ribs 231b is about 0.8 inch.

The top surface 230 also has a locknut capture pocket 235. The locknut capture pocket 235 has an opening 240.

Referring to FIG. 2B, a bottom perspective view of the mounting clamp 200 is shown. The mounting clamp 200 has a bottom surface 250. The bottom surface 250 also has a fastener pocket 270 that communicates with the locknut capture pocket 240 (as shown in FIG. 2A), and is generally concentric with the locknut capture pocket 240.

The bottom surface 250 has a sloped transition surface 251 between the front face 210 and the bottom surface 250. The transition surface 251 extends about the whole length L of the mounting clamp 200. The bottom surface 250 also generally has a plurality of apertures 255 that can have different shapes. The shapes can be a generally triangle shape, a generally polygon shape, or a shape with a curved side, for example a crescent shape.

A side of the apertures 255 may conform to a portion of a perimeter 257 of the bottom surface 250. For example, the bottom surface 250 has a plurality of triangle-shaped apertures 260a, 260b and 260c arranged consecutively along the longitudinal axis on one side of the fastener pocket 270 of the mounting clamp 200 relative to the longitudinal axis. The triangle-shaped apertures 260a, 260b and 260c have sides 261a, 261b and 261c respectively that conform to the shapes of the front face 210 or the back face 220. As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the front face 210 and back face 220 are generally planar and parallel to each other. The sides 261a, 261b and 261c are generally straight. The consecutively arranged triangle-shaped apertures 260a, 260b and 260c as shown in FIG. 2B are oriented so that the sides 261a, 261b and 261c are closer to the front face 210 and the back face 220 alternatively.

The apertures 255 extend into the mounting clamp 200 to form cavities. Two neighboring apertures form a wall structure 262. For example, the wall structures 262a, 262b and 262c are formed between the triangle-shaped apertures 260a, 260b, 260c and/or the neighboring apertures 255. The wall structures 262 are also formed between other neighboring apertures 255. The wall structures 262 are generally extend between the front face 210 and back face 220 diagonally and can help enhance the structural strength of the mounting clamp 200.

Referring to FIGS. 2C and 2D, the front and rear views of the mounting clamp 200 are shown. As shown in FIG. 2C, the finger grips 212a, 212b and 212c generally extend downwardly from the top surface 230. Bottoms 217a, 217b, and 217c of the finger grips 212a, 212b and 212c generally do not extend to the bottom surface 250. Generally, the bottoms 217a, 217b and 217c of the finger grips 212a, 212b and 212c extend downwardly to about a distance hi away from the bottom surface 250. However, in some other embodiments, the bottoms of the finger grips can extend to or beyond the bottom surface 250. The end tips 225a and 225c of the finger grips 212a and 212c respectively also extend from the top surface 230 downwardly to about the distance h1 away from the bottom surface 250.

As shown in FIGS. 2C and 2D, the longitudinal ribs 231a rise upwardly from the top surface 230. One of the longitudinal ribs 231a as shown in FIG. 2C generally corresponds to an upward extension of a portion of the front face 210, another longitudinal rib 231a corresponds generally to an upward extension of a portion of a front face 280b of the middle finger grip 212b (or protrusion 211b). One of the longitudinal ribs 231a as shown in FIG. 2D generally corresponds to an upward extension of a portion of the back face 220. The longitudinal ribs 231a and latitudinal ribs 231b (as shown below in FIG. 2E) generally have a height h2 from the top surface 230. In one embodiment, the height h2 is about 3/20 inch.

Referring to FIG. 2E, the side view of the mounting clamp 200 is shown. It is shown that the latitudinal ribs 231b on the top surface 230 have the height h2 from the top surface 230. The transition surface 251 between the bottom surface 250 and the front face 210 tilts upwardly from the bottom surface 250 toward the front face 210. The transition surface 251 has a height h3 from the bottom surface 250. In one embodiment, the height h3 is about 1/32 inch. The transition surface 251 removes a sharp edge between the bottom surface 250 and the face 210 and can help mount the clamp 200 onto another object or component.

The downwardly extended finger grip 212a has a back surface 285a. The back surface 285a and the front face 210 of the mounting clamp 200 form a grip arch 287a. The grip arch 287a has a height h4 and a width w1. In one embodiment, the height h4 is about ¼ inch, and the width w1 is about ¼ inch. It is to be noted that, although not shown in FIG. 2E, the other two finger grips 212b and 212c can similarly form grip arches 287b and 287c between their corresponding back surfaces 285b, 285c and the front face 210.

Referring to FIG. 2F, the top view of the mounting clamp 200 is shown. As discussed above, the top surface 230 may have a plurality of longitudinal ribs 231a and latitudinal ribs 231b. Some longitudinal ribs 231a extend along the front face 210 and/or the back face 220. One longitudinal rib 231a corresponds to an upward extension of a front face 280b of the middle protrusion 211b. Latitudinal ribs 231b can extend from the back face 220 to front faces 280a, 280b and 280c of the protrusions 211a, 211b and 211c (or the finger grips 212a, 212b and 212c as shown in FIG. 2A) respectively. The top of the middle protrusion 211b has two latitudinal ribs 231b, and the top of the side protrusions 211a and 211c has one latitudinal rib 231b. The longitudinal ribs 231 a and latitudinal ribs 231b can form an integral structure on the top surface 230. The integral structure formed by the ribs 231a and 231b can help enhance the structural strength of the mounting clamp 200 and/or the protrusions 211a, 211b and 211c.

From a top view as shown in FIG. 2F, the locknut capture pocket 235 is also illustrated. The locknut capture pocket 235 is generally positioned behind the middle protrusion 211b. The locknut capture pocket 235 has a floor 290. The floor 290 has a center opening 291. More details regarding the locknut capture pocket 235 is to be illustrated in FIGS. 2H and 2I.

Referring to FIG. 2G, the bottom view of the mounting clamp 200 is shown. As discussed above, the bottom surface 250 have apertures 255, which may be configured to have different shapes. The wall structures 262 extend between the front face 210 and the back face 220. The wall structures 262 are generally diagonally to the front face 210 and/or the back face 220.

As discussed above, the grip fingers 212a, 212b and 212c and the front face 210 can form grip arches 287a, 287b and 287c respectively. The end arches 287a and 287c each has a widened end entry portion 293a and 293c respectively. The widened end entry portions 293a and 293c generally correspond to the positions of the end tips 225a and 225c of the L-shaped grip fingers 212a and 212c respectively along the length L. From the bottom view as shown in FIG. 2G, the widened end entry portions 293a and 293c generally has a funnel shape from the ends 221 and 222 to the arches 287a and 287c respectively. The widen end entry portions 293a and 293b can generally help guide an edge of a component to slide into the grip arches 287a, 287b and 287c from the widen portions 293a and/or 293c.

The fastener pocket 270 is generally positioned at about the middle portion of the bottom surface 250 along the length L and is generally positioned behind the middle finger grips 212b. The fastener pocket 270 is generally concentric with the locknut capture pocket 240 (as shown in FIG. 2F) and the center opening 291.

Referring to the bottom view as shown in FIG. 2G, the clamp 200 has a front portion 265 and a back portion 266 that extend along the front face 210 and a back face 220. The front portion 265 has a thickness t₁ and the back portion 266 has a thickness t₂. In one embodiment, the thickness t₁ is about 1/10 inch, and the thickness t₂ is about ⅛ inch. Generally, t₁ and t₂ together can help provide the structural strength of the mounting clamp 200. In the illustrated embodiment, t₁ is generally smaller than t₂, so that the grip arches 287b can be configured to be close to the center opening 291. The close distance between the grip arches 287b and the center opening 291 can help the mounting clamp 200 achieve more gripping power in use. In some embodiments, the distance between the grip arc 287b and the center opening 291 is about ⅜ inch.

As discussed above, the wall structures 262 and the ribs 231 can both be configured to enhance the structural strength of the mounting clamp 200. It is to be understood that these structures are exemplary. Other structures features can also be used to enhance the structural strength of the mounting clamp 200. By using these structural enhancing features, the mounting clamp 200 may be configured to have a relatively small profile and/or weight without comprising the structural strength of the mounting clamp 200. It is also to be appreciated that structural enhancing features may be configured to enhance a specific region(s) of the mounting clamp 200. For example, structural enhancing features can be positioned in regions that may have to bear more structural stress than other regions of the mounting clamp 200 in use. By doing so, the mounting clamp 200 may provide structural strength that is sufficient for the intended purposes of the mounting clamp 200 while maintaining a relatively small profile and/or weight.

Referring to FIGS. 2H and 2I, the structure of the locknut capture pocket 235 and the bottom fastener pocket 270 are illustrated. As shown in FIG. 2H, the opening 240 of the locknut capture pocket 235 generally has a shape that is configured to conform to a profile of a locknut 300. Often, as shown in FIG. 2H, the profile of the locknut 300 is a symmetric hexagonal shape. The opening 240 is also a generally hexagonal shape. A distance d1 between two parallel flat sides of the hexagon-shaped opening 240 is generally about the same as a width across flats of the locknut 300 (which is also shown in FIG. 2I.) It is to be understood that the locknut 300 may also have other shapes, such as a square shape or any other suitable shapes. In one embodiment, the distance d1 is about 3/16 inch.

The floor 290 of the locknut capture pocket 235 is configured to support the locknut 300 in the capture pocket 235. The center opening 291 is generally configured to allow a thread 410 of a fastener 400 (see FIG. 2I below) to reach a socket 310 of the locknut 300 through the center opening 291, when the locknut 300 is positioned in the locknut capture pocket 235. A diameter d3 of the center opening 291 is generally about the same as the diameter of the socket 310. The center opening 291 also has a plurality of flaps 295. In the illustrated embodiments, the center opening 291 has 4 flaps 295, with the appreciation that the number 4 is exemplary. The center opening 291 may be configured to have more or less than 4 flaps in other embodiments.

The distance between the two opposing flaps 295 is d4. The distance d4 is generally smaller than a diameter of the socket 310 (which is about the same as the diameter d3). In one embodiment, the diameter d3 is about ⅛ inch, and the distance d4 is about 1/16 inch. In one embodiment, each of the flaps 295 can have a thickness of about 0.015 inches.

Referring to the cross section view in FIG. 2I, more details of the structure of the locknut capture pocket 240 and the fastener pocket 270 are illustrated. The cross section is cut at a line AA as shown in FIGS. 2C and 2D. The line AA is the line where the plane P intersects with the mounting clamp 200.

As discussed above, the opening 240 of the locknut capture pocket 235 is configured to accept the locknut 300. The floor 290 is configured to support the locknut 300, so that the locknut 300 can settle on the floor 290 in use. The floor 290 supports at least a portion of a floor 320 of the locknut 310. The locknut capture pocket 235 has a height h5. In one embodiment, the height h5 is about 1/10 inch. The height h5 is configured to be about the same as a thickness of the locknut 300 so that the locknut 300 can generally sink in the locknut capture pocket 235. The diameter d3 of the center opening 291 is configured to be about the same as the diameter of the thread 410 of the fastener 400 and the socket 310 of the fastener 300, so that the thread 410 can pass through the center opening 291 and reach the socket 310.

The center opening 291 has the flaps 295. Since the distance d4 between the opposing flaps 295 is configured to be generally smaller than the diameter of the thread 410 and the socket 310, the thread 410 of the fastener 400 may have to push the flaps 295 aside or deform the flaps 295 before reaching the socket 310 of the locknut 300.

As shown in FIGS. 2H and 2I, at least one side of the opening 240 has a crush rib 245. As shown in FIG. 2H, the crush rib has a height d2. The crush rib 245 is configured to be elastic and/or plastic. In one embodiment, the height d2 is about 1/32 inch.

In FIGS. 2H and 2I, a method of using the locknut 300, fastener 400 and the mounting clamp 200 is also illustrated. The locknut 300 may be settled into the locknut capture pocket 235 and supported by the floor 290. The shape of the locknut capture pocket opening 240 of the locknut capture pocket 235 is configured to conform to the shape of the locknut 300's profile, such as a hexagon. This can prevent the locknut 300 from rotating once the locknut 300 is settled in the locknut capture pocket 235. The locknut capture pocket opening 240 has the crush ribs 245. The height d2 of the crush ribs 245 may be configured so that when the locknut 300 is pushed into the locknut capture pocket 235, sides of the locknut 300 may deform the crush ribs 245 so that the deformed crush ribs 245 are pressed against the sides of the locknut 300 when the locknut 300 is settled in the locknut capture pocket 235. This may help prevent the locknut 300 from sliding out of the locknut capture pocket 235.

The fastener 400 can be inserted into the fastener pocket 270. In other embodiments, other types of fasteners may be used. The fastener 400 can be a screw, bolt, etc. At least a portion of the fastener pocket 270 is the center opening 291. Since the diameter d3 of the center opening 291 is configured to be about the same as the diameter of the thread 410, the thread 410 can be pushed through the center opening 291. The center opening 291 is configured to have the flaps 295. The flaps 295 can be configured to be flexible. The distance d4 is configured to be generally less than the diameter of the thread 410. Therefore, the thread 410 has to deform or push the flaps 295 aside before the thread 410 may reach the socket 310 of the locknut 300 on the other side of the flaps 295. The flaps 295 can help prevent the fastener 400 from pushing the locknut 300 out of the locknut capture pocket 235. The flaps 295 can be configured so that when the flaps 295 are deformed by the thread 410, they do not prevent the contact between the fastener 400 and locknut 300. When the thread 410 pushes through the flaps 295, the thread 410 can contact the socket 310 of the locknut 300. The fastener 400 then can be screwed to the locknut 300.

The fastener pocket 270 may be configured to accept fasteners with multiple widths. For example, in one embodiment, the fastener pocket 270 is configured to accept both a #10 fastener and a ¼ inch fastener. In some embodiments, the size of the thread 410 can be about 1/8 inch, the diameter d3 can be about ⅛ inch, and the diameter d4 can be about 1/16 inch. In this configuration, when the thread 410 is inserted into the opening 291, the thread 410 is blocked by the flaps 295. The thread 410 generally has to deform the flaps 295 to go through. In some other embodiments, the thread 410 can be configured to be no larger than the distance d4 of the flaps 295, so that the thread 410 can pass through the flaps 295 without the necessity of deforming the flaps 295. In one embodiment, the distance d4 of the flaps 295 is about 1/16 inch, and the thread 410 can be 1/16 inch. In this configuration, the thread 410 can go through the flaps 295 without deforming the flaps 295. Also, in some embodiments, the mounting clamp 200 can be configured to accept metric based fasteners and nuts.

In FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C, a method of using the mounting clamp 200 is described. As shown in FIG. 3A, the mounting clamp 200 can be used for installing a blower 380 of a transport air conditioning system to an attachment panel 385. As shown in FIG. 3A, the mounting clamp 200 is used to retain a raised edge 387 of a base 389 of the blower 380 to the attachment panel 385.

The blower 380 may have a guard 386 to protect the blower 380. Referring to circles B and C, the size of the protrusions 211a and 211b can be configured so that the protrusions 211a and 211b do not contact the guard 386. Generally, the size of the protrusions 211a, 211b, and 211c can be configured to avoid other surface structures on the blower 380.

As shown in FIG. 3B, the fastener 400, a hole 390 of the attachment panel 385, the fastener pocket 270, the locknut capture pocket 235 and the locknut 300 are generally aligned during an installation process. The edge 387 of the base 389 is generally aligned with the griping arch 287a (and/or 287b and 287c). The finger grip 212a (and/or 212b, 212c) of the mounting clamp 200 can latch onto the raised edge 387 of the base 389 of the blower 380. The grip arch 287a is generally configured to accept a shape of the raised edge 387, so that the grip arch 287a can accommodate the raised edge 387 between the front face 210 of the mounting clamp 200 and the back face 285a of the finger grip 212a. The heights h1 and h4, as well as the width w1 of the grip arch 287a can be configured so that the mounting clamp 200 can accommodate different edge configurations of different types of blowers 380.

In some embodiments, the height h1 of the bottom 217a can be configured so that the bottom 217a does not touch the base 389 when the mounting clamp 200 is in use. At least a portion of the grip finger 212a can overlap with at least a portion of the raised edge 387, so that at least a portion of the raised edge 387 is retained in the grip arch 287a when the mounting clamp 200 is in use. A top 298 of the grip arch 287a can press against a top 398 of the raised edge 387, while the bottom 217a does not press against the base 389 when the mounting clamp 200 is in use.

In some embodiments, the height h1 of the bottom 217a and the height h4 of the grip arch 287a can be configured so that when the mounting clamp 200 is in use, the bottom 217a of the finger grip 212a pushes the base 389 against the attachment panel 385, and at least a portion of the grip finger 212a can overlap with at least a portion of the raised edge 387. The surface of the bottom 217a may also be configured to help grip the base 389. For example, the surface of the bottom 217a may be coated with a material with an increased friction coefficient, or may have anti-skid treads to increase a friction coefficient of the surface.

The width w1 can be configured so that the grip arch 287a can accommodate a range of different thickness of the raised edge 387. A sum of the height h1 and the height h4 can be configured to accommodate different height h5 of the edge 387.

The sloped transition surface 251 may help guide the raised edge 387 to slide into the grip arch 287a during installation. The funnel shaped end entry portions 293a of the arches 287a (as shown in FIG. 2G) may also facilitate guiding the raised edge 387 (as shown in FIG. 3B) to slide into the arches 287a.

During an installation process, the fastener 400, the mounting clamp 200 and the locknut 300 can be loosely assembled together to the attachment panel 385 first, then the blower 380 can be generally positioned close to the hole 390 and moved so that the edge 387 of the base 389 may be generally aligned to the grip arch 287a. When the fastener 400 is being tightened with the locknut 300, the sloped transition surface 251 and the funnel shaped end entry portions 293a can help adjust the position of the base 389 so that the raised edge 387 can settled into the grip arch 287a. This can facilitate the manufacturing/installation process of the air conditioning system.

The fastener 400 and locknut 300 can be used to install the mounting clamp 200 and the blower 380 to the attachment panel 385. As shown in FIG. 3B, the fastener 400 can be inserted through the hole 390 in the attachment panel 385. The thread 410 of the fastener 400 is then pushed through the center opening 291 (as shown in FIG. 21), and screwed with the locknut 300 that is settled in the locknut capture pocket 235.

As discussed above and as shown in FIG. 21, the flaps 295 can prevent the fastener 400 from pushing the locknut 300 out of the locknut capture pocket 235. To pass through the flaps 295, the fastener 400 can generally be rotated so that the thread 410 can engage and deform the flaps 295. After engaging, the rotating motion can advance the thread 410 through the flaps 295. After the thread 410 passing through the flaps 295, the rotation can cause the thread 410 to engage the socket 310 (as shown in FIG. 21), so that the fastener 400 can be screwed to the locknut 300. The installation thus can be performed from just one side of the attachment panel 385. No tool is required on the other side of the attachment panel 385 to prevent the locknut 300 from spinning or escaping from the locknut pocket 235 during the installation. This may help simplify the manufacturing process of an air conditioning system.

After the fastener 400 and the locknut 300 are tightened, the finger grip 212a shown in FIG. 3B can latch on the raised edge 387 in the grip arch 287a, and the top 298 of the grip arch 287a and/or the bottom 217a of the finger grip 212a can push the base 389 against the attachment panel 385. The blower 380 therefore can be held in place against the roof top attachment panel 385.

Generally, it is to be understood that the locknut pocket 235 can be on the bottom surface 250 and the fastener pocket 270 can be on the top surface 230. Further, the opening 240 does not have to conform to the shape of a locknut 300. For example, the opening 240 may be configured to have a round profile that has a diameter to accommodate the locknut 300. In this configuration, the locknut 300 can spin freely in the locknut capture pocket 235; and the locknut 300 can be held and rotated by, for example, a wrench within the opening 240. In some embodiments, the fastener 400 may be fixed on the attachment panel 385. In these embodiments, the mounting clamp 400 may be installed by tightening the locknut 300 within the opening 240 by a wrench. In some other embodiments, the locknut capture pocket 235 and the blot pocket 270 may be slots that are configured to allow the fastener and nut to slide in the slot. (Not shown.) The slot can extend either along the longitudinal axis or along the latitudinal axis. In these embodiments, the position of the mounting clamp 200 may be adjusted within a length of the slot in the longitudinal axis or in the latitudinal axis.

As shown in FIG. 3C, because the mounting clamp 200 may be configured to have two mirror-imaged portions 200L and 200R, the mounting clamp 200 can be used to install the blower 380 from either side of the blower 380. Two mounting clamps 200 may be sufficient to securely attach the blower 380 to the attachment panel 385.

The material for the mounting clamp 200 may be plastic, metal or other suitable materials. In some embodiments, the material for the mounting clamp 200 is a Polycarbonade/Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (PC/ABS) plastic. The mounting clamp 200 may be molded. During the molding process, glass fibers may be added to enhance structural strength of the mounting clamp 200 in some embodiments. In other embodiments the molding clamp 200 can be molded from other polymers or materials that the application requires such as, for example, metal, valox, ryton, a liquid crystal polymer, etc.

Compared to a conventional method to mount a blower with multi sets of fasteners and nuts, one mounting clamp may require only one fastener and nut set to mount and two mounting clamps may be sufficient to hold a fan in place. Further, since the finger grips of the mounting clamp may latch on an edge of the blower to hold the fan in place, the edge does not have to be drilled to accommodate fasteners. Moreover, the mounting clamp may be configured to accommodate various configurations of blowers. All these features can help make the manufacturing/installation process easier.

It is also appreciated that the front face and the back face do not have to be generally planar. For example, the front face may be configured to have a curved surface to accommodate an edge that is curved. The back face may be configured to accommodate the shape of a space in which the mounting clamp will be installed. The perimeter of the mounting clamp may also be configured to be many shapes, for example a crescent shape or a triangle shape.

It will be appreciated that the embodiments described herein are not limited to mounting a component, such as a blower, of an air conditioning system. The embodiments described herein may be used to facilitate mounting of any components of an air conditioning system during a manufacturing process of the air conditioning system. More generally, the embodiments described herein may be adopted to mount other components with a raised edge to an attachment panel.

With regard to the foregoing description, it is to be understood that changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of the construction materials employed and the shape, size and arrangement of the parts without departing from the scope of the present invention. It is intended that the specification and depicted embodiment to be considered exemplary only, with a true scope and spirit of the invention being indicated by the broad meaning of the claims.

Claims

1. A mounting clamp for mounting a component to a panel of an air conditioning system comprising:

a front face, a back face, a top surface and a bottom surface; and

a plurality of protrusions extending out of the front face, each of the plurality of protrusions including a finger grip extending downwardly toward the bottom surface, wherein the finger grips and the front face form a plurality of grip arches that are configured to latch on an edge of a component;

wherein the top surface includes a first pocket and the bottom surface includes a second pocket,

wherein the first pocket and the second pocket are concentric, and

wherein a center of the first pocket and a center of the second pocket are positioned are a middle position between a first end and a second end of the mounting clamp.

2. The mounting clamp of claim 1, wherein the first pocket and the second pocket are configured to accommodate a fastener and a nut.

3. The mounting clamp of claim 2, wherein at least one of the first pocket or the second pocket is configured to include at least one crush rib.

4. The mounting clamp of claim 1, wherein the top surface includes a plurality of longitudinal ribs and latitudinal ribs that are raised from the top surface of the mounting clamp.

5. The mounting clamp of claim 1, wherein the bottom surface includes a plurality of cavities forming wall structures between the front face and the back face.

6. The mounting clamp of claim 5, further comprising a transition surface between the bottom surface and the front face along the length of the mounting clamp.

7. The mounting clamp of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of finger grips includes a bottom portion that is configured to have a grip surface.

8. The mounting clamp of claim 7, wherein the grip surface is coated with a material that is different from a material forming the mounting clamp.

9. The mounting clamp of claim 7, wherein the grip surface is configured to include anti-skid treads.

10. An air conditioning system comprising:

an attachment panel that includes an installation hole;

a blower that includes a raised edge;

a nut and a fastener; and

a mounting clamp, wherein the mounting clamp includes a finger grip configured to latch onto the raised edge, the mounting clamp including a first pocket and a second pocket, the first pocket configured to receive the nut and the second pocket configured to receive the fastener, and wherein the first pocket and the second pocket are concentric;

wherein the nut is configured to be positioned in the first pocket,

wherein the fastener is configured to pass through the installation hole of the attachment panel and the second pocket, and

wherein the fastener engages the nut in the first pocket.

11. A mounting clamp for mounting a component to an attachment panel of an air conditioning system comprising:

a front face, a back face, a top surface and a bottom surface; and

a plurality of protrusions extending out of the front face, each of the plurality of protrusions including a finger grip extending downwardly toward the bottom surface, wherein the finger grips and the front face form a plurality of grip arches;

wherein the top surface includes a plurality of longitudinal ribs and latitudinal ribs raised from the top surface,

wherein the bottom surface includes a plurality of cavities forming wall structures between the front face and the back face,

wherein the top surface includes a first pocket and the bottom surface includes a second pocket,

wherein the first pocket and the second pocket are concentric, and

wherein a center of the first pocket and a center of the second pocket are positioned are a middle position between a first end and a second end of the mounting clamp; and wherein a transition surface between the bottom surface and the front face along a length of the mounting clamp.

12. The mounting clamp of claim 11, wherein the first pocket and the second pocket are configured to accommodate a fastener and a nut.

13. The mounting clamp of claim 11, wherein each of the finger grips includes a bottom that is configured to include a grip surface.

14. The mounting clamp of claim 13, wherein the grip surface is coated with a material that is different from a material forming the mounting clamp

15. The mounting clamp of claim 14, wherein the grip surface is configured to include anti-skid treads.