PRIORITY DOCUMENTS

[0 ⁽ M)i | The present . application claims priority irons Australian.. Provisional Patent Application No.

2015900683, titled "A MOUNT ASSEMBLY FOR ENGINEERING SERVICES", and filed on 26 February 2015, the content of which is hereby incorporated fay reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[00021 The present disclosure relates to a mount assembly for engineering services, in a particular form, the present disclosure relates to a mount assembly fo an: air handl ing unit (ABU) o a heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning (HVAC) system,

BACKGROUND

[0003] An AHU of a heating, ventila ting, and air-condi tioning (HVAC) system is one example of engineering services for a building.. AH.U's are commonly mounted i elevated positions, such as on rooves or walls, or in or above ceilings.

[0004] In the even of seismic activity such as a tremo o art earth uake, it is known for engineering services to be dislodged fro their mountings, with potentially disastrous consequences, such a tailing from elevated mounting positions onto people below.

[00051 it is against this background and the problems and difficulties associated therew th that the present uiventioil has been de eloped.

[0006] Certain objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from, the following description, taken in connection wit the accompanying drawings, wherein, by way of illustration and example, an embodiment of the present invention is disclosed.

SUMMARY

[0007 ) According to a first aspect, there: is provided a mount assembly for an ..engineering services item, the mount assembly comprising a base comprising a body, the body comprising an aperture therein, the aperture, comprising an internal (i.e. female) screw thread, the mount assembly further comprising a resilient element comprising an item attachment point and an external (i.e. male) screw thread adapted for tbxeadable engagement with the female thread of the base, so that the resilient element is scre wed into the base, and interposes the item attachment point and the base. [0008 ] For the purpose of this specification, the term 'item attachment point ' should be considered to encompass any part designed to cany an. external load.

[0009 ] In one form, the base comprises a collar which encircles the aperture, and which comprises at least a portion of the internal thread ,

[0010] In one form, the base comprises a flange which extends outwardly from the collar, and which substantially encircles the collar.

[001 1 ] In one for , the resilien t element comprises a sol d body of a resi Kent material.

J 00121 In one form, the item attachment poin t comprises an attachment member, at least a portion of which is embedded in the resilient element. 0013] n one form, the mount assembly further comprises a carriage depending from the base, and which is adapted to slide with respect to a support: rail,

[00141 I one form, the carriage is adapted to slidahly engage the rail,

[ 00 5 ] In One .¾¾, die: carriage comprises a solid portion of a resilient material.

[0016 ] In one form, the resilient material comprises an elastomeric material.

[0 17 ] In one form, the base is made from a rigid materia!. j 0018 | in one form, the resilient material comprises a moldable material ,

(001 1 In one form, the carri age of elastomeric material is formed by a moldi n g process. 0020] In one form, the carriage is molded to the base durin the carriage's forming process. To this end, the carriage base will comprise features (male and female) about which the moldable resilient material can form t secure the carriage wi th respect to the base. j 0021 ) In one form, the resilient element of elastomerie material is formed by a molding process.

[0022 ] In one form, the attachment member is molded into the resilient element during the resilient element's forming process. j 0023 ] In one form, the item attachment member comprises a nut for a fastener. 10024 ] in one form, the item attachment member comprises a bolt embedded by its head in the resilient element.

[0025] In one form, the .resilient element is. cylindrical, and the collar is cooperatively shaped. [0026] in one form, in. an alternative, the resilient element is conical,

[002. 1 According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a mount assembl for a engineering services item, the mount assembly comprising a- ase, and a resilient element eomprising an item attachment point, and which interposes the item attachment point and the base. j0028 ^' | In one form, the base comprises & rail and the resilient element comprises a carriage tor running along the rail.

[00291 In one form., the attachment point comprises a threaded rod from which a load (engineering services item) can be suspended.

[0030] I one form, the threaded rod extends through the resilient element. [0031] In one form, the threaded rod extends through ail aperture in the rail.

[0032 ] in one form, the rail comprises a channel comprising a slot, in one form, both the channel and slot extend in a direction of elongation of the rail.

[0033 ] In one form, the rail comprises a floor, a pair of opposing sides, and an. inwardly directed lip depending from each of the opposing skies.

[0034] In one form, the carriage comprises a body of resilient material, where the body is generally cuboid, comprising a pair of sides and a pai of ends.

[0035] In one form, wherein, each of the pair of opposing sides of the body of the carriage comprises a guide slot adapted to siidably receive one of the channel lips therein.

[00361 In one form, the rail comprises a metal channel.

[0037] A detailed description of one or more embodiments of the invention is provided below along with accompanying figures that i 1 lustrate by way of exarnp i e the principles, of t he invention. hiJ e the.

invention is described in. connection with such, embodiments, it should be understood that the invention is not. limited to any embodimen t . On the contrary , the scope of the in vention is limited only by the appended claims and the invention encompasses numerous alternatives, .modifications and equivalents. For the purpose of example,, numerous specific details are set forth, in. the following desenptso in orde to pro vide a thoroug understanding of the present invention.

[0038] in order to further understand the invention, preferred embodiments, will now be described. Howe ver, i t will be realised that the scope of the invention is not be confined or restricted to the details of the embodiments described below. Variations and alterations thai would be readily apparent to a person skilled in the art are deemed as being incorporated within the scope of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRiPTlOH OF D AWINGS

[0039 ] Embodiments of the present invention will be discussed with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

[0040 ] F igure 1 is an isometric view of a mounting assembly according to a first embodiment, of the invention:

[004.1 ] Figure 2 is a side view of the mounting' assembly of Figure 1;

[0042] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view through the mounting assembly of Figures 1 and 2;

[0043] Figure 4 is an isometric cress-sectional vie w through the mounting assembly of Figures 1 through

3;

[0044] Figure 5 is an isometric cross-sectional view through a base from the mounting assembly of Figures i through 4;

[00451 Figure 6 is an isometric view of a resilient element from the mounting asse bly of Figures 1 through 5:

[0046] Figure 7 is an isometric view of a mounting assembly according to a second embodiment of the invention;

[0047] Figure 8 is an end view of the mountin assembly of .Figure 7;

[0048] Figure 9 is a cross-sectional end view of the mounting assembly of Figures 7 and 8;

[00491 Figure 10 is an isometric view of a mount from the mounting assembly of Figures 7 tbs'ough 9; [0050] Figure 1 1 is a cross-sectional, view taken tlirough the mount of Figure 10;

[0051] Figure 12 is an isometric view of a -mounting assembly according to a third embodiment, taken from an upper viewpoint;

[0052 ] Figure 13 is an isometric iew of the mounting, assembly of Figure 12, taken f om a lower viewpoint;

[0053 ] Figure 1.4 is a cross-sectional view through a rod and a carriage from the mounting assembly of Figures 1 and 13; and

10054] Figure 1.5 is cross-sectional, view through the rod and eaptive assembly from the mounting assembly of Figures 12 through 1.4, where the carriage has been removed to permit visibility of the eaptive assembly.

[0055] In the following description, like reference characters designate like or corresponding parts throughout the figures.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0056 j Referring: now to Figures 1 through 6, there is shown a niOunt assembly 1 for a engineering services item, such as. an AHU of an HVAC system.

[0057] The mount assembly 1 comprises a base 2, an item attachment point 4 for the item (i.e. the AHU), and a resilient element 6 interposing the base 2 and the item attachment point 4, from which, resilient element the item attachment point 4 depends.

[005 1 The base .2 comprises a body 8 of a rigid material such as a metal or a rigid plastic material, the base body 8 comprising a collar 10 with an internal (or female) screw thread 14 (see Figures 3 and 4) encircling an aperture (a circular bore) 12, and a flange 1 which encircles the collar 10. The flange 16 comprises a plurality of bolt holes 18, via which, in use, the base body 8 can be bolted to a ground/floor surface or a plinth. A rubber seal 19 (optional depending on the application) can be placed beneath the flange 16.

[0059] The resilient elemen 6 -comprises a solid bod 20 of a resilient, eiastonieric material such as rubber, a. synthetic rubber or a thermoplastic vuleanisate. With reference to Figure 6, it can be seen that the solid body 20 comprises a. cylindrical portion comprising an. -external (male), screw thread 22, where both the cylindrical portion and the external screw thread 22 are adapted for threadabk engagement with (i.e. to screw into) the internal thread .14 of the collar 10. [0060] Because they are moulded into the body 20, the screw threads 22 are coarse threads, with some clearance provided between the male and female threads 22 and 14 respectively,

[0061] With reference to Figures: 3 and 4, it can be seen that the item: attachment point 4 comprises an item attachment member 24 in the form of, in this embodiment, a nut 24 for a fastener embedded in the solid body 20 of resilient element &,. and thus held capti ve by the resilient element 6. A bore 26 extends through the resilient element 6 to receive with a clearance fit, a shank of a bolt 28 when this is threaded into the nut 24. Using a captive nut 24 as opposed to a captive bolt allows the bolt length to be selected to accommodate different air conditioning units.

[00621 A c on ven tional outdoor an f t of a split cycl e air conditioner (one example of an AHU) compri ses an elongate body provided with four feet, which are arranged into two pairs positioned at or towards opposing ends of the unit.

[0063 ] In Use, the flange 16 of the base 2 is bolted to one of ground/fioor frame and a shank of a mounting bolt 28 is passed through a hole provided in each of the feet, and that bolt 28 is then screwed into the captive nut 24 of the resilient element 6, _:

[0064] The extent to which the resilient element is screwed into the collar 10: can be selected as necessary to assist in levelling the outdoor unit. Optionally , a pair of opposing flat surfaces could be created on the resilient element 6 to facilitate its rotation with a spanner or wrench. In this way, each mount assembly 1 comprises a means for adjusting a height of a support level for the ^■ AHU. j 00651 in dition to facilitating height adjustment, flic rigid collar 1.0 encircles and provides lateral support for the resilient element 6, and thus supports die resilient element 6 against, premature failure of due to sideways loads of the type created in an earthquake, while not diminishitig the vibra tion dampening of the resilient element 6.

[0066] In the event of seismic acti vity causin i bration of the ground and the base 2 in turn, the resilient element 6 will elastically defbrniwitlioiit &iling, while absorbing at least some of this vibration, so that not all is transmitted to the attachment point 4, and the AHU in turn. In this way, the likelihood of the AHU breaking free of its mounts and being damaged, or possibly even injurin others, is decreased. Moreover, during normal use, the resilient element will absorb noise and vibration created by the rotating components of the AHU., such as a motor and a fan, and reduc ti'ansmissi n of these vibrations to the base 2.

[0067] Referring now to Figures 7 through 11, where there is shown a mount assembl 100 according to a further embodiment of the present invention . Those parts of the mount ass embl 100 wbieh are identical (or near- identical) to corresponding parts shown in the mount assembly I of Figures 1 through 6, will be denoted by the same reference numerals and will not he described again in detail.

[0068 ] With reference to Figures: 9 and 11 , it can he seen that the item attachment point 4 of mount assembly 1 0 comprises an item attachment point 4 in the form of a bolt 102. embedded head .first (i.e. with its shank directed outward) in the resilient element 6, and thus held capti ve by the resilient element 6. A washer 103 is welded to the head of the bolt 102 to aid in resisting rotation..

[0069] it should be understood however, that the item attachment point 4 of mount assembly 100 may be- the same as tha of .mount assembly 1 (described above), and vice versa.

[0070] The base 2 is secured with respect to a carriage 110, which is adapted lor a sliding -engagement with a support rail 120. This securement may be by way of an suitable method, including adhesive-, co- moulding o fastened.

[0071] The carriage 110 comprises a generally cuboid solid body 112 of resilient material such as rubber or a thermoplastic vulcanisate, comprising a pair of sides 114, a pair of ends 1.16, a top surface, and a bottom surface. Each side 11.4 of the body comprises a guide slot 118 which extends between the ends: lie

(6072] The support: rail.120 comprises a channel 122 comprising a slot 124, and a substantiall constant cross-sectional shape throughout its length. This cross-sectional shape comprises a floor 126, a pair of opposing sides 128, and an inwardly directed and downwardly ended lip 130 depending from each of the opposing sides 128, There are a plurality of through apertures 132 (slots i this embodiment) in the floor of the support rail. These apertures 132 permit drainage of any water that might be caught in the channel.

J0 731 The guide slots. 1 18- create a neck portion for the carriage 110, which sits between a head portion H and a tail portio T of the carriage 110.

[0074] hi «se _f the mount assembly 100 sMabl engages the support rail 121 ^' }. in doing so, the lips 130 of the support rail 120 locate in the guide slots 118, which undercut the tail portion T so that this (i.e. the tail portion) becomes captured by the support rail 120, while the head portion H of the carriage sits proud of the support rail 2.

[00751 So it is that the mount assembly 100 is siidabl retained b the -support rail 120, and in this wa its position, along the support rail 120 can be quickly and easily adjusted as required, As was the case wit the embodiment of Figures 1 through 6, the extent to which the resilient element 6 is screwed into the collar 10 can be selected as necessary to assist in levelling the- outdoor unit. In this way,, each mount assembly TOO comprises a means for adjusting a height of a support level for t e AHU.

[0076 ] In use, support rail 120 is secured (eg. bolted or welded) to one of a ground/fioor/fratne, and the carriage HO is siidablv retained by the support rail 120. The position of the mount assembl 100 alon the support rail 120 can then be quickly and easil adjusted as required, and the AHU secured to the bolt 1 2..

[0077] In the e vent of seismic activity causing vibration of the ground and the support rail 1.2 in turn, both the resilient element 6 and the carriage 110 will elastically deform without failing, while absorbing at least some of this vibration, so that not all is transmitted to the attachment point 102, and the AHU. in this way, the likelihood of the AHU breaking free of its mounts and being dama ed:, or possibly e ven injuring others, is decreased. Moreover, during normal use, both the resilient element 6 and the carriage 1.10 will absorb noise and vibration created by the rotating components of the AHU, such as a motor and a fart and reduce transmission of these vibrations to the support rail 120. j 078 ^' | Referring now to Figures 12 through 14, where there is shown a mount assembly 200 accordin to a further embodiment of the present invention. Those parts of the mount assembly 200 which are identical (or near- identical) to corresponding parts shown ^' in the mount assembly 100 of Figures 7 through 1 1, will be denoted by the same reference numerals and will not be described again in detail.

[0079 j The item attachment point 4 of mount assembly 200 comprises a capti ve assembl 202 embedded in the carriage 10, and thus held captive by the carriage 1 10. The captive assembiy 202 comprises a threaded bush 202a, and a washer 202b welded to the threaded bush 202a. Carriage 11 comprises a though bore 204 which is aligned with a threaded bore in the threaded bush 202a so that a threaded rod 20 can be threaded into the threaded bush 202a and passed through, the carriage 1 10 via the bore 204. The position of the threaded rod 206 is fixed by a securing nut 208 and washer 230.

[0080] in use, support rail 1 0 is mounted in a suspended position and the mount assembly 200 slidabiy engages the support rail 1 0, with, the threaded rod 206 extending down from the carriage 1.10 and through one of the apertures 132 i the support rait _. 1 _. 20. I this way , an engineering services item such as, for example, a fan coil unit or a cassette unit of an HVAC system, can be suspended from the threaded rod.

[0081 1 Because the carriage 1 1 comprises- a generally cuboid solid bod 1 12 of resilient material interposing the threade rod 206 and the support rail 120, mount assembly 200 can absorb violent shock loads associated with seismic activity' such as an earthquake, without failing and dropping the suspended load onto people below. 10082 J Although, the foregoing description describes use of the mount assembly as a mount for an ou tdoor uni of an asr~eon.ditionmg system, its application is not so limited. For example, the base could be used for pumps, motors or other appliances that require and vibratio and support levelling, hence the use of the terra ^' 'engineering services'.

[0083] Throughout, the specification and the claims that follow, unless the contest requires otherwise, the words "comprise" and ' ^" 'include" and variations such as "comprising" and "including" will, he understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers, but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.

[0084] The reference to any prior aft in this specification is not, and should not be taken, as, an ackno ledgement of an form of suggestion that such prior art forms part of the common general knowledge.

[0085] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention is not restricted in its use to the particular application described. Neither is the present invention restricted in its preferred embodiment with regard to the particular elements and/or features described or depicted herein, it will be appreciated that the ^' invention, is. not limited to the embodiment or embodiments disclosed, bu t is capable of numerous rearrangements, modifications and substitutions without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth and defined by the following; claims.