FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a mounting system for an air conditioner unit, and a stacking assembly comprising the mounting system.

This application claims priority from New Zealand patent application number 783174 filed 7 December 2021, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by way of reference.

BACKGROUND

Air conditioners, also known as heat pumps, mini-splits or split type air conditioners typically have an indoor unit and an outdoor unit. The outdoor unit, also known as the condenser, is typically placed in reasonably close proximity to the indoor unit to minimise the distance refrigerant needs to travel between the indoor unit and the outdoor unit.

Outdoor units must be installed on a level, stable surface to ensure optimum performance and reduce vibrations that could shorten the life of the unit and lead to unwanted noise. Outdoor units are generally installed on the ground or mounted to a wall. Ground mounting would typically require a concrete pad to be laid, which may be time consuming and costly to install, especially if the ground is sloped or uneven.

Some modern balcony systems utilise a suspended floor system, where tiles are mounted on jacks and a void is present between the tiles and the main structure of the balcony. Outdoor units cannot be readily fixed to these 'floating' floor systems using existing mounting systems.

Various bracket systems are known for mounting outdoor units to walls. Commonly used systems have two separate brackets on which the feet at either end of the outdoor unit are mounted. One end of each bracket is either directly connected to the wall, or mounted to the wall via a separate connecting member. In some known systems, an elongate mounting plate is fixed to the wall and the brackets are positionable along the length of the mounting plate to adjust for different outdoor unit foot spacings.

The positioning of an outdoor unit when using known wall mounting systems is governed by the location of the studs in the wall, and relatively limited positioning options are available when using these systems. In addition, outdoor units usually have an offset centre of gravity, which can lead to an uneven weight distribution on the brackets. Over time, this can cause one of the brackets to sag, which in addition to looking unsightly, can lead to sub-optimal performance of the unit. Water may not drain as intended, causing rust and water pooling on surfaces below. The distribution of oil in the motor and compressor may also be affected, leading to shorter lifespan of the components.

In this specification where reference has been made to patent specifications, other external documents, or other sources of information, this is generally for the purpose of providing a context for discussing the features of the invention. Unless specifically stated otherwise, reference to such external documents or such sources of information is not to be construed as an admission that such documents or such sources of information, in any jurisdiction, are prior art or form part of the common general knowledge in the art.

It is an object of at least preferred embodiments of the present invention to provide a mounting system for an air conditioner unit that overcomes at least some of the problems described above, and/or to at least provide the public with a useful alternative.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a mounting system for an air conditioner unit, comprising: a platform having an elongate platform body that extends along a longitudinal axis, at least one mounting plate connected to the platform body, the at least one mounting plate adapted to support the air conditioner unit; a bracket having a mounting end adapted to be fixed in place, and a platform end adapted to abut the platform body; and a platform connecting mechanism adapted to connect the platform end of the bracket to the platform body such that the platform is positionable at different locations relative to the bracket along the longitudinal axis.

In an embodiment, the platform body comprises a bottom face extending in a generally horizontal plane, and a first side face extending in a generally vertical plane, wherein the platform end of the bracket and the platform connecting mechanism are configured such that the platform end of the bracket is selectively connectable to the bottom face or the first side face of the platform body.

In an embodiment, the platform body further comprises a second side face extending in a generally vertical plane and facing in a substantially opposite direction to the first side face, wherein the platform end of the bracket and the platform connecting mechanism are configured such that the platform end of the bracket is selectively connectable to the second side face of the platform body. In an embodiment, the platform body has a substantially square cross-section.

In an embodiment, the mounting end of the bracket is configured to be mounted to a vertical surface.

In an embodiment, the mounting end of the bracket is configured to be mounted to a horizontal surface.

In an embodiment, the mounting end of the bracket is configured to be mounted to a sloped or uneven surface.

In an embodiment, the at least one mounting plate extends from the platform body in a first direction that is transverse to the longitudinal axis, and in a second direction that is opposite the first direction, and wherein the at least one mounting plate extends further in the first direction than in the second direction.

In an embodiment, the at least one mounting plate comprises a first mounting plate at a first end of the platform body and a second mounting plate at a second end of the platform body.

In an embodiment, the first mounting plate and the second mounting plate both extend further in the first direction than in the second direction.

In an embodiment, the platform end of the bracket comprises a platform end flange, and the platform connecting mechanism comprises two U-bolts adapted to capture the platform body and fasten to the platform end flange.

In an embodiment, a longitudinal dimension of the platform is longer than a longitudinal dimension of the bracket.

In accordance with a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a stacking assembly for mounting at least one air conditioner unit, comprising: a post having an elongate post body that extends along a vertical axis, the post adapted to be mounted to a horizontal surface; at least one mounting system for an air conditioner unit as outlined in relation to the first aspect of the invention, wherein the mounting end of the bracket is adapted to abut the post body; at least one post connecting mechanism adapted to connect the mounting end of the bracket to the post body such that the mounting system is positionable at different locations relative to the post along the vertical axis.

In an embodiment, the stacking assembly comprises a plurality of mounting systems, each mounting system connected at a different position along the vertical axis. In an embodiment, the post body comprises a first side face extending in a generally vertical plane, and a second side face extending in a generally vertical plane and facing in a substantially opposite direction to the first side face, wherein the mounting end of the bracket and the post connecting mechanism are configured such that the mounting end of the bracket is selectively connectable to the first side face or the second side face of the post body.

In an embodiment, the post body has a substantially square cross-section.

In an embodiment, the mounting end of the bracket comprises a mounting end flange, and the post connecting mechanism comprises two U-bolts adapted to capture the post body and fasten to the mounting end flange.

The term 'comprising' as used in this specification and claims means 'consisting at least in part of'. When interpreting statements in this specification and claims which include the term 'comprising', other features besides the features prefaced by this term in each statement can also be present. Related terms such as 'comprise' and 'comprised' are to be interpreted in a similar manner.

It is intended that reference to a range of numbers disclosed herein (for example, 1 to 10) also incorporates reference to all rational numbers within that range (for example, 1, 1.1, 2, 3, 3.9, 4, 5, 6, 6.5, 7, 8, 9 and 10) and also any range of rational numbers within that range (for example, 2 to 8, 1.5 to 5.5 and 3.1 to 4.7) and, therefore, all sub-ranges of all ranges expressly disclosed herein are hereby expressly disclosed. These are only examples of what is specifically intended and all possible combinations of numerical values between the lowest value and the highest value enumerated are to be considered to be expressly stated in this application in a similar manner.

This invention may also be said broadly to consist in the parts, elements and features referred to or indicated in the specification of the application, individually or collectively, and any or all combinations of any two or more said parts, elements or features.

To those skilled in the art to which the invention relates, many changes in construction and widely differing embodiments and applications of the invention will suggest themselves without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. The disclosures and the descriptions herein are purely illustrative and are not intended to be in any sense limiting. Where specific integers are mentioned herein which have known equivalents in the art to which this invention relates, such known equivalents are deemed to be incorporated herein as if individually set forth. As used herein the term '(s)' following a noun means the plural and/or singular form of that noun.

As used herein the term 'and/or' means 'and' or 'or', or where the context allows both.

The invention consists in the foregoing and also envisages constructions of which the following gives examples only.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a mounting system configured to be mounted to the ground.

Figure 2 shows a side view of the mounting system configuration of figure 1.

Figure 3 shows a perspective view of the mounting system of figure 1 configured to be mounted to a wall, with an air conditioning unit schematically shown mounted on the mounting system.

Figure 4 shows a side view of the mounting system configuration of figure 3.

Figure 5 shows the mounting system configuration of figure 3 with the platform moved to the left relative to the bracket.

Figure 6 shows the mounting system configuration of figure 3 with the platform moved to the right relative to the bracket.

Figure 7 shows a perspective view of a bracket for the mounting system.

Figure 8 shows a perspective view of an alternative bracket for the mounding system.

Figure 9 shows a perspective view of a further alternative bracket for the mounting system.

Figure 10 shows a stacking assembly comprising the mounting system shown in figures 1 to 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Figures 1 to 4 show a mounting system 1 for an air conditioner unit 2, such as an outdoor unit or condenser of a heat pump or air conditioning system. The mounting system 1 comprises a platform 3, a bracket 5 and a platform connecting mechanism 7.

Referring to figures 1 and 2, the mounting system 1 may be used for mounting an air conditioner unit 2 to a horizontal surface, for example, a flat ground surface 9 such as a concrete pad, a horizontal surface of a deck or balcony, or a horizontal surface of a solid structure below a suspended floor of a deck or balcony. Referring to figures 3 and 4, the mounting system 1 may also be used for mounting an air conditioner unit 2 to a vertical surface, such as a wall 11, a post 13 (described in more detail in relation to figure 10 below), or a vertical surface of a solid structure below a suspended floor of a deck or balcony. The mounting system 1 may also be used for mounting an air conditioner unit 2 to a sloped or uneven surface, such as a sloped ground surface (described in more detail in relation to figure 9 below).

The platform connecting mechanism 7 is configured to enable the platform 3 to be positioned at various locations relative to the bracket 5, such that the location of the air conditioner unit 2 can be adjusted, as will be discussed in more detail below.

The platform 3 has an elongate platform body 15 that extends along a longitudinal axis A-A. The platform 3 has at least one mounting plate 17, 19 connected to the platform body 15. The at least one mounting plate 17, 19 is adapted to support the air conditioner unit 2.

In the embodiment shown, the at least one mounting plate 17, 19 comprises a first mounting plate 17 at a first end of the platform body 15 and a second mounting plate 19 at a second end of the platform body 15.

The first and second mounting plates 17, 19 extend from the platform body 15 in a first direction 21 that is transverse to the longitudinal axis A-A, and in a second direction 23 that is opposite the first direction 21. Each of the first and second mounting plates 17, 19 extends further in the first direction 21 than in the second direction 23.

In an alternative embodiment, each of the first and second mounting plates 17, 19 may comprise separate plates that respectively extend in the first and second directions 21, 23. In a further alternative embodiment, the at least one mounting plate may comprise a single mounting plate. The single mounting plate could, for example, be spaced above the elongate platform body 15 and connected to the elongate platform body by spaced apart mounts at either end of the elongate platform body 15. In the embodiment shown, the first and second mounting plates 17, 19 have a suitable width in the longitudinal direction (that is, in the direction of the longitudinal axis A-A) and a suitable length in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction for accommodating the dimensions of a range of air conditioner units. During installation, holes can be drilled in the mounting plates 17, 19 as required for securing the feet of the air conditioner unit 2. In an alternative embodiment, the mounting plate(s) may be sized for accommodating the dimensions of a particular model of air conditioner unit.

In some configurations, the width of the first and second mounting plates 17, 19 in the longitudinal direction may be between about 100 mm and about 150 mm, and optionally may be about 135 mm. In some configurations, the length of the first and second mounting plates 17, 19 in the direction transverse to the longitudinal direction may be between about 450 mm and about 500 mm, and optionally may be about 470 mm.

In some configurations, a distance in the longitudinal direction between outer side edges of the mounting plates 17, 19 may be between about 650 mm and about 800 mm, optionally between about 650 mm and about 750 mm, and optionally about 700 mm.

It will be appreciated that any of the dimensions may be varied, depending on the size of the air conditioner unit to be supported.

The longitudinal dimension of the platform 3 (that is, the length of the platform along the longitudinal axis A-A) is longer than a longitudinal dimension of the bracket 5 (that is, the width of the bracket 5 transverse to the longitudinal axis A-A of the platform 3).

The platform body 15 comprises a bottom face 25a, a top face 25b, a first side face 25c and a second side face 25d. The bottom face 25a and the top face 25b each extend in a respective generally horizontal plane, and the top face 25b faces in a substantially opposite direction to the bottom face 25a. The first side face 25c and the second side face 25d each extend in a respective generally vertical plane, and the second side face 25d faces in a substantially opposite direction to the first side face 25c.

As used herein, directional terms such as 'top', 'bottom', 'horizontal' and 'vertical' define relative positions of features with reference to an in-use orientation. These terms should be interpreted as relative and not limiting any parts of the mounting system to being in a particular orientation.

The platform body 15 has a substantially square cross-section. This allows the illustrated connecting mechanism 7 to be selectively connectable to different sides of the platform body. In alternative embodiments utilising different connecting mechanisms, platform bodies having other cross-sections may be used, for example a rectangular crosssection.

In the illustrated embodiment, each mounting plate 17, 19 has a top surface 27 and two side surfaces 29. The top surfaces 27 have a generally rectangular shape. The side surfaces 29 have a generally trapezium shape with two parallel sides, the longest of which is connected to a side of the top surface 27. It will be appreciated that any suitable shape of mounting plate may be used that provides sufficient strength and rigidity for supporting an air conditioner unit 2. For example, the side surfaces 29 may have a generally rectangular shape in an alternative embodiment.

A slot 31 is provided in the side surfaces 29 for receiving the platform body 15. Referring to figures 2 and 4, in an exemplary embodiment, a gap G is provided between the top face 25b of the platform body 15 and the underside of the top surface 27 of the mounting plates 17, 19. The gap G is large enough to receive a connecting mechanism 7 so that a bracket 5 can be mounted under a mounting plate 17, 19, if desired.

In alternative embodiments, the gap G may not be provided. In these embodiments, it may not be possible to mount a bracket 5 under a mounting plate.

The platform 9 may be formed from any suitable materials. In an exemplary embodiment, the platform body 15 is made from steel. The steel may have a coating for corrosion protection and/or aesthetic reasons. For example, the steel may be hot dip galvanised, powder coated or painted. The first and second mounting plates 17, 19 are formed from steel sheet material that is cut and folded to provide the top surface 27 and two side surfaces 29. The first and second mounting plates 17, 19 may be welded to the platform body 15.

Figure 7 shows a detailed view of the bracket 5. The bracket 5 has an elongate bracket body 33 that extends along a bracket axis B-B. The bracket body 5 may be any suitable length. The bracket 5 has a mounting end 35 adapted to be fixed in place, and a platform end 37 adapted to abut the platform body 15. The mounting bracket 5 illustrated in figures 1 to 7 is configured to be selectively mounted to a vertical surface or a horizontal surface.

The platform end 37 of the bracket 5 and the platform connecting mechanism 7 are configured such that the platform end 37 of the bracket 5 is selectively connectable to the bottom face 25a, the first side face 25c, or the second side face 25d of the platform body 15. In some alternative embodiments, the platform end 37 of the bracket 5 and the platform connecting mechanism 7 may be configured such that the platform end 37 of the bracket 5 is selectively connectable only to the bottom face 25a or the first side face 25c of the platform body 15.

Figure 8 shows an alternative embodiment of the bracket 5a. Like numbers indicate like parts to figure 7, with the addition of the letter 'a'. The bracket 5a has a bracket body 33a that has an L-shape, such that the mounting end 35a and the platform end 37a are positioned at an angle of 90° to each other. There are various situations where a bracket 5a with an L-shaped bracket body 33a may be useful. For example, when an air conditioner unit is being wall mounted and there are physical constraints on where the bracket 5a can be mounted, an L-shaped bracket body 33a may advantageously enable the air conditioner unit to be positioned at a desired height. An L-shaped bracket 5a may also be used for mounting the bracket 5a to the solid structure below a suspended floor of a deck or balcony, or for mounting the bracket 5a to subfloor foundations (such as a ring foundation or similar) and extending the platform 3 above to floor level. Mounting to subfloor foundations may be particularly useful when the cladding of the building does not allow for penetrations.

In the embodiments shown in figures 1 to 8, the mounting end 35, 35a of the bracket 5, 5a has a mounting end flange 39, 39a. The mounting end flange 39, 39a has fastener holes 41, 41a for receiving fasteners to secure the bracket 5, 5a to a vertical surface or a horizontal surface. In the embodiment shown, the mounting end flange 39, 39a has four fastener holes 41, 41a. In alternative embodiments, any suitable number of fastener holes 41, 41a may be provided.

In some configurations, the elongate bracket body 33 may be centrally located relative to the mounting end flange 39, 39a. In other configurations, the elongate bracket body 33 may be offset towards one or more sides of the mounting end flange 39, 39a from one or more other sides of the mounting end flange 39, 39a.

In some embodiments, the mounting end 35 of the bracket 5 is adapted for a specific type of installation. For example, figure 9 illustrates a bracket 5b having a mounting end 35b that is configured to be mounted in a hole in the ground. Like numbers indicate like parts to figure 7, with the addition of the letter 'd'. The bracket 5b is installed by first providing a suitable hole in the ground. The mounting end 35b is positioned in the hole, and then concrete is poured into the hole. The mounting end 35b has projections 43 that help secure and stabilise the bracket 5b once the concrete has cured. This embodiment of the bracket 5b may enable more efficient installation of an air conditioner unit compared with the conventional approach of providing a concrete pad for mounting the air conditioner unit on. For example, the bracket 5a may be installed in the ground and the platform 3 may be connected to the bracket 5a and supported (by boxing for example) while the concrete cures. By comparison, when using a conventional approach, the concrete pad would need to be poured and allowed to cure before the mounting system 1 could be installed. Another advantage of this embodiment of the bracket 5b is that it enables an air conditioner unit to be installed on sloped or uneven ground.

In other embodiments, the mounting end 35 of the bracket 5 may be configured to be mounted to a vertical surface only.

In the embodiment shown, the platform end 37 of the bracket 5 comprises a platform end flange 45. The platform end flange 45 has fastener holes 47 for receiving fasteners to secure the bracket 5 to the platform body 15. In the embodiment shown, the platform end flange 45 has four fastener holes 47 adapted to receive two U-bolts, as will be discussed in more detail below. The fastener holes 47 are spaced apart by a suitable distance for receiving the U-bolts.

In particular, the fastener holes 47 may be spaced far enough apart to provide suitable torsional strength along axis B-B. The fastener holes 47 may also be spaced equal to or closer together than the spacing of the fastener holes 41 in the mounting end flange 39. This is because while spacing the U-bolts 49 further apart increases torsional strength, it also requires increased size and thickness of the platform end 37. There is likely to be minimal benefit to increasing the spacing of the U-bolts 49 to be further apart than the fastener holes 41 of the mounting end flange 39 as at this point the connection to the wall may be weaker than the U-bolt connection.

In alternative embodiments, any suitable number of fastener holes 47 may be provided. In further alternative embodiments, the platform end 37 of the bracket 5 may have a different configuration for accommodating a different connecting mechanism configuration.

The bracket 5 may be formed from any suitable materials. In an exemplary embodiment, the bracket body 33, the mounting end flange 39 and the platform end flange 45 are made from steel. The steel may have a coating for corrosion protection and/or aesthetic reasons. For example, the steel may be hot dip galvanised, powder coated or painted. The mounting end flange 39 and the platform end flange 45 may be welded to the bracket body 33. In the illustrated embodiment, the platform connecting mechanism 7 comprises two U- bolts 49 adapted to capture the platform body 15 and fasten to the platform end flange 45. The shape of the U-bolts 49 corresponds to the shape of the platform body 15, such that when the U-bolts 49 are secured to the platform end flange 45 using nuts 50, the platform 3 is tightly secured to the bracket 5.

The U-bolt connection is very strong, and provides a fully captive connection. This means the platform body 15 would not fall off or become detached should the nuts 50 loosen. By contrast, conventional wall mounting systems typically utilise a slot/channel type fixing that relies on the tightness of the fasters to remain captive.

The U-bolts 49 may be any suitable commercially available U-bolts, for example, square type U-bolts 49 sized to match the platform body 15 or the post body 55 (described in more detail below).

Referring to figures 5 and 6, the platform connecting mechanism 7 is adapted to connect the platform end of the bracket 5 to the platform body 15 such that the platform 3 is positionable at different locations relative to the bracket 5 along the longitudinal axis A- A. This advantageously enables the air conditioner unit 2 to be positioned at various locations relative to the bracket 5.

For example, when mounting the air conditioner unit 2 to a wall, it is necessary to align the bracket 5 with a stud or area of wall with sufficient structural integrity. The platform 3 may be moved along the longitudinal axis A-A relative to the bracket 5 to adjust the left/right position of the air conditioner unit 2. Figure 5 shows the platform 3 moved to the left relative to the bracket 5. Figure 6 shows the platform 3 moved to the right relative to the bracket 5. The gap G underneath the mounting plates 17, 19 also enables the bracket 5 to be connected underneath one of the mounting plates 17, 19 (not illustrated).

In addition, because the mounting plates 17, 19 extend further in the first direction than the second direction, the platform 3 can be rotated 180° to adjust the distance between the air conditioner unit 2 and the wall 11.

The construction of the platform 3 as a single component means that the load on both mounting plates 17, 19 is transferred through the platform body 15 and into the bracket 5, rather than the load being transferred through separate brackets (potentially unevenly) as is the case for commonly used conventional wall mounting systems. This arrangement ensures that the load is even through the framework of the air conditioner unit 2 and is not transferred though the air conditioner unit to the other bracket. This ensures the air conditioner unit does not become a structural member. This arrangement advantageously reduces the likelihood of an air conditioner unit having an offset centre of gravity sagging to one side over time compared with conventional wall mounting systems that utilise two separate brackets.

In alternative embodiments, different connecting mechanisms may be used, for example a plate comprising holes mirroring the holes 47 of the platform end 37 could be fastened to the platform end 37 using straight bolts and nuts to retain the platform body 15 between the platform end 37 and the plate.

In an embodiment, two brackets 5 and respective connecting mechanisms 7 may be used with a single platform 3 to provide additional support.

Figure 10 shows a stacking assembly 51 for mounting at least one air conditioner unit 2. The stacking assembly 51 comprises a post 13, at least one mounting system 1, and at least one post connecting mechanism 53. In the illustrated embodiment, the stacking assembly 51 has two mounting systems 1 and two respective connecting mechanisms 53. It will be appreciated that any suitable number of mounting systems 1 and respective connecting mechanisms may be used with the post 13. In an embodiment, the stacking assembly 51 comprises a plurality of mounting systems 1, each mounting system 1 connected at a different position along a vertical axis C-C.

The post 13 has an elongate post body 55 that extends along a vertical axis C-C. The post 13 is adapted to be mounted to a horizontal surface. The mounting end 35 of the bracket 5 of each mounting system 1 is adapted to abut the post body 55. In some embodiments, the same bracket 5 is used as for the embodiments described above. In other embodiments, the mounting end 35 of the bracket 5 may have different spacing of the fastener holes 41 to accommodate the size of the post 13.

Each respective post connecting mechanism 53 is adapted to connect the mounting end 35 of the bracket 5 to the post body 55 such that each mounting system 1 is positionable at different locations relative to the post 13 along the vertical axis C-C.

The post 13 has post mounting end 57 adapted to be fixed in place. In the embodiment shown, the post mounting end 57 has a post mounting flange 59. The post mounting flange 59 has fastener holes 61 for receiving fasteners to secure the post to a horizontal surface. In the embodiment shown, the post mounting flange has four fastener holes 61. In alternative embodiments, any suitable number of fastener holes 61 may be provided. In an alternative embodiment, the post mounting end 57 may be adapted for mounting in a hole in the ground, similar to the bracket 5 arrangement shown in figure 9. In a further alternative embodiment, the post mounting end 57 may be adapted for mounting to a structure above the stacking assembly 51, such that the stacking assembly 51 is suspended above the ground.

The post body 55 has a first side face 63a extending in a generally vertical plane, and a second side face 63b extending in a generally vertical plane and facing in a substantially opposite direction to the first side face 63a. The mounting end 35 of each bracket 5 and the respective post connecting mechanism 53 are configured such that the mounting end of the bracket 53 is selectively connectable to the first side face 63a or the second side face 63b of the post body 55.

In the embodiment shown, the post body 55 also has a third side face 63c extending in a generally vertical plane, and a fourth side face 63d extending in a generally vertical plane and facing in a substantially opposite direction to the third side face 63c, the third and fourth side faces 63c, 63d extending at 90° to the first and second side faces 63a, 63b.

In an embodiment, the post body 55 has a substantially square cross-section. In this embodiment, the mounting end 35 of each bracket 5 and the respective post connecting mechanism 53 may be configured such that the mounting end of the bracket 53 is also selectively connectable to the third side face 63c or the fourth side face 63d of the post body 55. In some embodiments, two or more brackets 5 may be connected to different side faces of the post body. For example, two brackets 5 may be connected to opposite faces such that the brackets 5 extend in opposite directions.

In an alternative embodiment, the post body 55 may have a substantially rectangular cross-section. In a further embodiment, the post body 55 may have a circular crosssection. In this case, curved U-bolts may be used to match the curvature of the post body 55.

In the illustrated embodiment, the mounting end 35 of the bracket 5 has a mounting end flange 64 similar to the mounting end flange 39 shown in figures 1 to 7. The mounting end flange 64 has fastener holes 65 for receiving U-bolts 67 to secure the mounting end flange 64 to the post body 55. In the embodiment shown, the mounting end flange 64 has four fastener holes 65 adapted to receive two U-bolts 67. The fastener holes 65 are spaced apart by a suitable distance for receiving the U-bolts 67. In alternative embodiments, any suitable number of fastener holes 65 may be provided. In further alternative embodiments, the mounting end 35 of the bracket 5 may have a different configuration for accommodating a different post connecting mechanism 53. The post connecting mechanism 53 comprises two U-bolts 67 adapted to capture the post body 55 and fasten to the mounting end flange 64. The shape of the U-bolts 67 corresponds to the shape of the post body 55, such that when the U-bolts 67 are secured to the mounting end flange 64 using nuts 69, the mounting system 1 is tightly secured to the post 13. When an air conditioner unit 2 is installed on the platform 3, the downwards force from the mass of the unit may cause mounting system 1 to try to rotate about the post 13 at the connecting mechanism 53, and the opposed forces at each of the U-bolts 67 may help to lock the connecting mechanism 53 in place and prevent slipping. Preferred embodiments of the invention have been described by way of example only and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the invention.