Hinge assembly for supporting a fan on a roof
09551499 ยท 2017-01-24
Assignee
Inventors
Cpc classification
F24F7/025
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
F24F13/32
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
E05D2011/1035
FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
International classification
Abstract
A buttressed hinge assembly or a flexible hinge assembly adjusts to fit a vent on a wall or a roof in order to hold a fan thereon, which fan is especially suitable for a restaurant roof or wall. The hinge assembly attaches to a roof or wall vent to hold the fan in a proper position, yet permits the fan to be easily moved for cleaning of vent and the fan.
Claims
1. A buttressed hinge assembly with combination with a fan assembly positioned on a roof vent structure, the roof vent structure being mounted around a vent on a roof, to provide for an easy cleaning and servicing procedure for both the fan assembly and the vent on the roof, the buttressed hinge assembly comprising: a first hinge side cooperating with a second hinge side to form the buttressed hinge assembly, the first hinge side being similar in structure to the second hinge side, and each of the first and second hinge sides having: a mounting support bar extending along a first axis, the mounting support bar configured to be securable to the roof vent structure, a hinge plate mechanism, a fan support bar configured to be securable to the fan assembly, a first pivot coupling pivotally connecting the mounting support bar to the hinge plate mechanism, the first pivot coupling configured to permit angular displacement of the mounting support bar relative to the hinge plate mechanism about a first axis, a hinge locking plate secured to the hinge plate mechanism, and a second pivot coupling pivotally connecting the fan support bar to the hinge locking plate, the second pivot coupling configured to permit angular displacement of the fan support bar relative to the hinge locking plate and thus the hinge plate mechanism about a second axis, wherein the second axis is transverse to the first axis, such that when the hinge plate mechanism and the hinge locking plate are connected to each other and further connected to the mounting support bar and the fan support bar, the fan support bar is movable in relationship to the mounting support bar and further configured such that the mounting support bar is angularly displaced separate from the angular displacement of the fan support bar and about a different axis.
2. The buttressed hinge assembly of claim 1, wherein: the mounting support bar includes at least two apertures for securing the mounting support bar to a desired surface of the roof vent structure; the fan support bar includes at least two apertures for securing the fan support bar to the fan; and the fan support bar includes at least two locking pin apertures for releasably securing the fan support bar in an orientation relative to the mounting support bar for cleaning and servicing of the fan as desired.
3. The buttressed hinge assembly of claim 2, wherein: the at least two apertures for the mounting support bar include a plurality of apertures for selectively distributing a weight of the fan; the at least two apertures for the fan support bar include a plurality of apertures for selectively distributing a weight of the fan; the hinge locking plate includes at least two adjustment apertures; the fan support bar includes a fan support bar locking pin aperture configured to cooperate with the at least two adjustment apertures; and the at least two adjustment apertures are configured to enable the fan support bar to be oriented in at least a first orientation relative to the hinge plate mechanism and a second different orientation relative to the hinge plate mechanism.
4. The buttressed hinge assembly of claim 3, wherein: the second orientation is associated with either of a fully opened position and a partially opened position; the second orientation provides for easy cleaning or service of the fan assembly and the vent; and a locking pin is mounted in the locking pin aperture.
5. The buttressed hinge assembly of claim 1, wherein: the first and second hinge sides are disposed at opposite sides of a fan assembly and oriented such that the second axis of the first hinge side is collinear with the second axis of the second hinge side; the mounting support bar of the first hinge side is configured to be angularly displaced in any of an inward direction toward the second hinge side and an outward direction away from the second hinge side.
6. The buttressed hinge assembly of claim 1, wherein the hinge plate mechanism of at least one of the first and second hinge sides includes a hinge locking plate and a hinge plate, wherein the hinge locking plate is configured to be removably securable to the hinge plate in any one of a plurality of different orientations for adjusting a position of the fan support bar relative to the mounting support bar.
7. The buttressed hinge assembly of claim 6, wherein the hinge locking plate and the hinge plate each include a right side and a left side, and the locking plate is configured to be removably securable to the hinge plate in either of: (i) a first orientation wherein the right side of the hinge locking plate engages the left side of the hinge plate, and (ii) a second orientation wherein the left side of the hinge locking plate engages the right side of the hinge plate.
8. A hinge assembly with combination with a fan assembly positioned on a roof vent structure, the roof vent structure being mounted near a vent on a roof, to provide for easy cleaning and servicing of both the fan assembly and the vent on the roof, the hinge assembly comprising: a hinge plate mechanism including a hinge plate secured to a hinge locking plate; a fan support bar configured to be mountable to the fan assembly, the fan support bar pivotally coupled to the hinge locking plate such that the fan support bar is angularly displaced from the hinge plate mechanism about a first axis, wherein the hinge locking plate is further configured to be releasably securable in a plurality of different orientations relative to the hinge plate such that when the hinge locking plate is unsecured to the fan support bar the fan support bar is moveable about the hinge locking plate about the first axis; and a mounting support bar pivotally coupled to the hinge plate about a second axis that is transverse to the first axis, wherein the mounting support bar is configured to be mountable to a surface of the roof vent structure, and the mounting support bar is configured to be angularly displaced to align with any one of a plurality of orientations of the surface of the roof vent structure and wherein such that when the hinge plate and the hinge locking plate are connected to each other and further connected to the mounting support bar and the fan support bar, the fan support bar is movable in relationship to the mounting support bar and further configured such that the mounting support bar is angularly displaced separate from the angular displacement of the fan support bar and about a different axis.
9. The hinge assembly of claim 8, wherein the mounting support bar is configured to be angularly displaceable between: (i) a first orientation wherein a mounting surface of the mounting support bar is aligned parallel to a surface of the roof, and (ii) a second orientation wherein the mounting surface of the mounting support bar is aligned to a surface of the roof vent structure extending perpendicular to the surface of the roof.
10. The hinge assembly of claim 8, wherein the fan support bar is configured to be releasably securable in any of a plurality of different angular displacements relative to the hinge locking plate, at least one of said plurality of different angular displacements corresponding to an open position, and for each open position, the hinge locking plate is configured to be releasably secured in at least two different positions relative to the hinge plate for selectively adjusting distribution of a weight of a fan assembly mounted to the fan support bar.
11. The hinge assembly of claim 8, wherein at least one of the plurality of different angular displacements of the fan support bar relative to the hinge locking plate corresponds to an open position, and for each open position, the hinge locking plate is configured to be releasably secured in at least two different positions relative to the hinge plate for selectively adjusting distribution of a weight of a fan assembly mounted to the fan support bar.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
(6)
(7)
(8)
(9)
(10)
(11)
(12)
(13)
(14)
(15)
(16)
(17)
(18)
(19)
(20)
(21)
(22)
(23)
(24)
(25)
(26) Throughout the figures of the drawings, where the same part appears in more than one figure of the drawings, the same number is applied thereto.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
(27) In accordance with the present invention, the buttressed hinge assembly is depicted. The buttressed hinge assembly consists of a mounting support bar and a fan support bar connected together through a hinge. The fan support bar is also connected to the fan in order to hold the fan in a position and within a relationship to the roof duct. The hinge allows that fan to be securely held in multiple positions to provide easier access to the fan and duct walls during cleaning, while at the same providing a strong support for the fan as it works in a proper position on the roof.
(28) This hinge is fastened and clamped over a much larger area of the fan base and duct. This causes stress to be more evenly distributed, which protects the fan housing and prolongs the life of the hinge system. This hinge can be installed on most fans and has a number of adjustment capabilities that allow it to be installed on almost all other fan duct combinations.
(29) This hinge is preferably made of rust resistant heavy grade steel and the assembly thereof is accomplished with rust resistant hardware. Preferably, the hinge is powder coated to resist rust. Hardware is preferably made from hardened stainless steel. This hinge uses a holding pin to lock the fan in place. It is strong and easy to install, and is completely out of the way of service providers. An additional benefit is that the fan can be locked into position at a 45-degree angle as well as a 90-degree angle, which makes it easier for service personnel to clean and service it. This hinge can handle fans weighing about 200 to 300 kilograms or more.
(30) The hinge assembly of this invention is extremely useful for holding a heavy fan of any type in a desired position over a vent. The fan can be easily moved and support, so that both the fan and the vent are more easily cleaned. This is especially effective, for cleaning a fan on the roof of a restaurant, where grease from the cooking processes complicate the cleaning process.
(31) The buttressed hinge assembly and the flexible hinge assembly provide another great safety feature. Previously, the fan would be completely removed from the vent and placed on the roof top. This method provided many safety concerns. First, the power conduit leads to the fan would be damaged, causing exposed wires or shorted wires. The damage from the power conduits would be caused by awkward tensions on the conduit when removing the fan unhinged. These damaged conduits cause great fire hazards when placed on a roof top which under most circumstance are greasy due to exhaust fan smoke and grease discharge. Furthermore, place heavy fans on the roof top caused damage and punctures or holes in the roof top. The fan of this invention eliminates all of these safety concerns.
(32) Referring now to
(33) Mounting support bar 102 is designed to attach to the duct or vent wall 108 on a roof 112. Vent wall and duct are used interchangeable and refer to the same component. Fan support bar 104 is also designed to attach to fan base 111, which supports fan 110 and provide for a temporary hinged movement of the same. Hinge locking plate 106 is between mounting support bar 102 and fan support bar 104. Hinge locking plate 106 provides a cam action between mounting support bar 102 and fan support bar 104.
(34) Hinge locking plate 106 includes adjustment apertures 158, in order provide flexibility in the positioning of mounting support bar 102. Hinge bolt 162 permits movement of fan support arm 104 relative to mounting support bar 102. Plate bolt 164 secures mounting plate 106 to mounting support bar 102. Hinge nut 166 secures hinge bolt 162 in position to movably connect fan support arm 104 and mounting support bar 102. Plate nut 168 secures hinge locking plate 106 to mounting support bar 102 through plate bolt 164.
(35) If desired, one or more of shim 160 (
(36) As an option, mounting bar brace 154 may connect a pair of mounting support bars 102 in a U-shape. The connection is by welding, bolting or other suitable fasteners. This structure may add strength to the buttressed hinge assembly 100. So it is possible that mounting bar brace 154 may include brace apertures 156, which can receive fasteners 142 in order to secure mounting bar brace 154 and the pair of mounting support bars 102 to the vent wall 108.
(37) Adding
(38) More particularly, mounting support bar 102 is secured with plate bolt 164 and plate nut 168 to duct wall 108 in a secure and stable manner as in
(39) In a similar fashion hinge 162 and hinge nut 164 cooperate to join fan support bar 104 and mounting support bar 102 in at least a partially rotational relationship. Mounting support bar 102 is fixed to vent wall 108, with fan support bar 104 movable relative thereto, so that fan 110 is movable for cleaning and other purposes.
(40) Along the length of fan support bar 104 is a series of fan support bar securing apertures 150. Fan support bar securing apertures 150 are designed to cooperate with fan fastening device 152 to secure fan 110 to fan support bar 104 in a secure and stable attachment as shown in
(41) Furthermore, hinge 120 and locking pin 126 allow fan 110 to be repositioned in order to facilitate cleaning. Locking pin 126 is held to fan support bar 104 by flexible line 128. Oppositely disposed form locking pin 126, line fastener 130 cooperates with a holding device such as a rivet or a plate nut 168 and a plate bolt 164 in order to hold flexible line 128 on fan support bar 104. However, fan 110 can be moved, but does not have to be removed from hinge 120, thus making it much easier to clean both fan 110 and duct wall 108.
(42) Once mounting support bar 102 is securely fastened to duct wall 108, fan support bar 104 can be locked in place at either a 45-degree angle (partially opened hinge position 116) or a 90-degree angle (fully opened hinge position 118). Hinge 120 allows for this variation in position. On hinge 120 are hinge locking pin apertures 122 and on fan support bar 104 are fan support bar locking pin apertures 124.
(43) The user places fan 110 at either the 45-degree or 90-degree position and aligns fan support bar locking pin aperture 124 and hinge locking pin aperture 122 and secures the position by sliding locking pin 126 through the thus aligned apertures. With each set of apertures either the partially opened hinge position 116 or the fully opened hinge position 118 may be set as desired.
(44) With
(45) As shown in
(46) Now adding
(47) Hinge 222 is attached between angled fan support bar 278 and hinged mounting support bar 280. Hinge 222 has a hinged locking plate 202 and hinge plate 204. Angled fan support bar 278 has securing aperture 228 which cooperates with securing bolt 224, securing nut 226, and hinged locking plate aperture 230 to securely connect angled fan support bar 278 to hinged locking plate 202. Hinged locking plate 202 has threaded locking plate apertures 206 while hinge plate 204 has hinge plate apertures 208.
(48) Hinged locking plate 202 serves as a cam locking plate. Hinge plate 204 has a series of attachment apertures 240 which cooperate and align with hinged locking plate apertures 230 and attachment fasteners 242 to secure hinged locking plate 202 to hinge plate 204. The two component system of hinged locking plate 202 and hinge plate 204 provides even greater flexibility for height adjustment to accommodate a variety of fan to duct combinations. The series of attachment apertures 240 provides the height adjustment.
(49) On hinged mounting support bar 280 is pin collar 210. Pin collar 210 cooperates and aligns with hinge plate 204. Hinge pin 212 inserts through collar apertures 286 and hinge plate apertures 208 to secure hinged mounting support bar 280 to the hinge plate 204 in a pivotal relationship. This pivotal relationship provides great flexibility to accommodate a variety of fan to duct combinations.
(50) On angled fan support bar 278 is threaded fan support bar aperture 216. Threaded fan support bar aperture 216 aligns and cooperates with threaded locking plate apertures 206, spring loaded threaded locking pin 214, and threaded locking pin nuts 218 to secure the fan support bar to the hinged locking plate 202 in a secure but releaseable relationship. This cooperative relationship allows fan base 111 to be secured in partially open position 254, fully open position 256, locking position 252, or closed position 260 and provides great efficiency in the cleaning and service process of the fan to which it is mounted. Spring loaded threaded locking pin 214 has an optional tether 276 which securely attaches it to the flexible hinge assembly 200.
(51) Spring loaded threaded locking pin 214 has a release ring 220 which is spring loaded. Release ring 220 allows a user to pull the release ring outward and release the connection between the angled fan support bar 278 and the hinged locking plate 202 in a safe and efficient manner. The release of threaded locking pin 214 allows the fan base 111 to cover and protected vent wall 108.
(52) Referring specifically to
(53) Spring loaded threaded locking pin 214 has to be adjusted as the number of adjustment shims 244 are adjusted. In
(54) Referring specifically to
(55) Now adding
(56) However in
(57) In
(58) Adding
(59) Support brace 246 has support brace apertures 264 while hinged mounting support bar 280 has mounting support bar attachment apertures 274. Apertures 264 and 274 cooperate with support brace fasteners 268 to securely attach support brace 246 to hinged mounting support bar 280. In this embodiment, nuts bolts are used as support brace fasteners 268. However, support brace fastener 268 can be any other suitable fastener which can securely fasten the support brace 246 to the hinged mounting support bar 280.
(60) Also, the positioning of hinged locking plate 202 can be clearly seen in
(61) Adding
(62) This applicationtaken as a whole with the abstract, specification, claims, and drawings being combinedprovides sufficient information for a person having ordinary skill in the art to practice the invention as disclosed and claimed herein. Any measures necessary to practice this invention are well within the skill of a person having ordinary skill in this art after that person has made a careful study of this disclosure.
(63) Because of this disclosure and solely because of this disclosure, modification of this method and device can become clear to a person having ordinary skill in this particular art. Such modifications are clearly covered by this disclosure.