SECURING BRACKET FOR MAINTAINING A POSITION OF FLEXIBLE CONDUIT WITHIN A WATER HEATING APPLIANCE

Abstract

A water heating appliance that includes a fluid inlet that has an inlet retainer end, a fluid outlet that has an outlet retainer end, and a bracket that engages the inlet retainer end and the outlet retainer end. A rotational torque that is exerted on a threaded fastener of one of the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet is absorbed by the bracket and transferred from a torque receiving end proximate the threaded fastener and distributed through the bracket to a torque distributing portion of the bracket.

Claims

1. A water heating appliance comprising: a fluid inlet having an inlet retainer end; a fluid outlet having an outlet retainer end; and a bracket that engages the inlet retainer end and the outlet retainer end, wherein a rotational torque exerted on a threaded fastener of one of the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet is absorbed by the bracket and transferred from a torque receiving end proximate the threaded fastener and distributed through the bracket to a torque distributing portion of the bracket.

2. The water heating appliance of claim 1, further comprising: a top cover that is disposed on an outer housing, wherein the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet extend through the top cover, and wherein the bracket is attached to the top cover.

3. The water heating appliance of claim 2, wherein the torque distributing portion of the bracket is attached to the top cover.

4. The water heating appliance of claim 1, wherein the bracket includes a first end that engages the inlet retainer end and a second end that engages the outlet retainer end, and wherein the torque distributing portion extends between the first end and the second end.

5. The water heating appliance of claim 4, wherein the first end and the second end each includes a respective faceted edge that matingly engages the inlet retainer end and the outlet retainer end respectively.

6. The water heating appliance of claim 5, wherein the first end and the second end each includes an open side through which the inlet retainer end and the outlet retainer end can be slidably engaged with the respective faceted edge of the first end and the second end.

7. The water heating appliance of claim 3, wherein the torque distributing portion includes an offset configuration relative to a first end and a second end.

8. The water heating appliance of claim 4, wherein the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet are each defined by flexible conduit, and wherein the inlet retainer end and the outlet retainer end are each defined by a hexagonal fastening bolt, each hexagonal fastening bolt having a point-to-point width and a face-to-face width.

9. The water heating appliance of claim 8, wherein a width of the open side of the first end corresponds to the face-to-face width of the hexagonal fastening bolt.

10. The water heating appliance of claim 3, wherein the rotational torque is distributed to the torque distributing portion and into the top cover via the bracket and the top cover.

11. A water heating appliance comprising: a fluid inlet having a first flexible conduit and an inlet retainer end; a fluid outlet having a second flexible conduit and an outlet retainer end; an outer enclosure having a top cover through which the first flexible conduit and the second flexible conduit extend; and a bracket that engages the inlet retainer end and the outlet retainer end, wherein a rotational torque exerted on a threaded fastener of one of the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet is absorbed by the bracket and transferred from a torque receiving end of the bracket proximate the threaded fastener and distributed through the bracket to a torque distributing portion of the bracket, wherein the torque distributing portion is attached to the top cover.

12. The water heating appliance of claim 11, wherein the bracket includes a first end that engages the inlet retainer end and a second end that engages the outlet retainer end, and wherein the torque distributing portion extends between the first end and the second end.

13. The water heating appliance of claim 12, wherein the first end and the second end each includes a respective faceted edge that matingly engages the inlet retainer end and the outlet retainer end respectively, and wherein the first end and the second end each includes an open side through which the inlet retainer end and the outlet retainer end can be slidably engaged with the respective faceted edge of the first end and the second end.

14. The water heating appliance of claim 13, wherein the torque distributing portion includes an offset configuration relative to the first end and the second end.

15. The water heating appliance of claim 13, wherein the inlet retainer end and the outlet retainer end are each defined by a hexagonal fastening bolt, and wherein a width of the open side of the first end corresponds to a face-to-face width of the hexagonal fastening bolt.

16. The water heating appliance of claim 11, wherein the rotational torque is distributed to the torque distributing portion and into the top cover via the bracket and the top cover.

17. A water heating appliance comprising: a flexible fluid inlet having an inlet retainer end; a flexible fluid outlet having an outlet retainer end; an outer enclosure having a top cover through which the flexible fluid inlet and the flexible fluid outlet extend; and a bracket that engages the inlet retainer end and the outlet retainer end, wherein the top cover and the bracket cooperate with the inlet retainer end and the outlet retainer end to maintain a position of the flexible fluid inlet and the flexible fluid outlet, wherein a rotational torque exerted on a threaded fastener of one of the flexible fluid inlet and the flexible fluid outlet is absorbed by the bracket and transferred from a torque receiving end of the bracket proximate the threaded fastener and distributed through the bracket to a torque distributing portion of the bracket, wherein the torque distributing portion is attached to the top cover.

18. The water heating appliance of claim 17, wherein the top cover includes a first top panel and a second top panel, wherein the bracket is attached to the first top panel, and wherein the second top panel is selectively separable from the first top panel.

19. The water heating appliance of claim 18, wherein the flexible fluid inlet and the flexible fluid outlet extend through the top panel at a dividing edge defined between the first top panel and the second top panel.

20. The water heating appliance of claim 19, wherein the bracket includes a faceted first end that engages the inlet retainer end and a faceted second end that engages the outlet retainer end, and wherein the torque distributing portion extends between the faceted first end and the faceted second end.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] In the drawings:

[0009] FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of a water heating appliance that incorporates an aspect of the support bracket for maintaining a position of flexible conduit within the water heating appliance;

[0010] FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of a water heating appliance of FIG. 1;

[0011] FIG. 3 is another side elevation view of the water heating appliance of FIG. 1;

[0012] FIG. 4 is another side elevation view of the water heating appliance of FIG. 1;

[0013] FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the water heating appliance of FIG. 1;

[0014] FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of a heat pump portion of the water heating appliance of FIG. 1;

[0015] FIG. 7 is another exploded perspective view of the water heating appliance of FIG. 6;

[0016] FIG. 8 is a side perspective view of an aspect of the water heating appliance with the front wall panel and the second top panel removed for maintenance, and showing the support bracket maintaining the position of flexible conduit;

[0017] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the water heating appliance of FIG. 2 taken along the line IX-IX;

[0018] FIG. 10 is a top plan view of the water heating appliance of FIG. 5 and showing the second top panel removed;

[0019] FIG. 11 is a top perspective view of the support bracket for maintaining the position of flexible conduit; and

[0020] FIG. 12 is a bottom perspective view of the support bracket of FIG. 11.

[0021] The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] As required, detailed embodiments of the present disclosure are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention that may be embodied in various and alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to a detailed design; some schematics may be exaggerated or minimized to show function overview. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention.

[0023] For purposes of description herein, the terms upper, lower, right, left, rear, front, vertical, horizontal, and derivatives thereof shall relate to the concepts as oriented in FIG. 2. However, it is to be understood that the concepts may assume various alternative orientations, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise.

[0024] The present illustrated embodiments reside primarily in combinations of method steps and apparatus components related to a support bracket for water heating appliance, where the support bracket maintains a position of flexible conduit within the water heating appliance when portions of the outer enclosure are removed, and to prevent deflection of the flexible conduit during maintenance of the water heating appliance. Accordingly, the apparatus components and method steps have been represented, where appropriate, by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present disclosure so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein. Further, like numerals in the description and drawings represent like elements.

[0025] As used herein, the term and/or, when used in a list of two or more items, means that any one of the listed items can be employed by itself, or any combination of two or more of the listed items, can be employed. For example, if a composition is described as containing components A, B, and/or C, the composition can contain A alone; B alone; C alone; A and B in combination; A and C in combination; B and C in combination; or A, B, and C in combination.

[0026] In this document, relational terms, such as first and second, top and bottom, and the like, are used solely to distinguish one entity or action from another entity or action, without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between such entities or actions. The terms comprises, comprising, or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. An element preceded by comprises . . . a does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises the element.

[0027] As used herein, the term about means that amounts, sizes, formulations, parameters, and other quantities and characteristics are not and need not be exact, but may be approximate and/or larger or smaller, as desired, reflecting tolerances, conversion factors, rounding off, measurement error and the like, and other factors known to those of skill in the art. When the term about is used in describing a value or an end-point of a range, the disclosure should be understood to include the specific value or end-point referred to. Whether or not a numerical value or end-point of a range in the specification recites about, the numerical value or end-point of a range is intended to include two embodiments: one modified by about, and one not modified by about. It will be further understood that the end-points of each of the ranges are significant both in relation to the other end-point, and independently of the other end-point.

[0028] The terms substantial, substantially, and variations thereof as used herein are intended to note that a described feature is equal or approximately equal to a value or description. For example, a substantially planar surface is intended to denote a surface that is planar or approximately planar. Moreover, substantially is intended to denote that two values are equal or approximately equal. In some embodiments, substantially may denote values within about 10% of each other, such as within about 5% of each other, or within about 2% of each other.

[0029] As used herein the terms the, a, or an, mean at least one, and should not be limited to only one unless explicitly indicated to the contrary. Thus, for example, reference to a component includes embodiments having two or more such components unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0030] Referring to FIGS. 1-12, reference numeral 10 generally designates a water heating appliance that includes an outer enclosure 12 made up of a plurality of wall panels 14 and top panels 16. These wall panels 14 and top panels 16 can be removed from the outer enclosure 12 to allow for maintenance within certain portions of the water heating appliance 10. According to the various aspects of the device, the water heating appliance 10 includes a fluid inlet 18 having an inlet retainer end 20 and a fluid outlet 22 having an outlet retainer end 24. A support bracket 30 engages the inlet retainer end 20 and the outlet retainer end 24. When a rotational torque 26 is exerted on a threaded fastener 28 of one of the fluid inlet 18 and the fluid outlet 22, this rotational torque 26 is absorbed by a support bracket 30. This rotational torque 26 is then transferred from a torque receiving end 32 of the support bracket 30. The torque receiving end 32 being proximate to the threaded fastener 28, and typically at least partially surrounding the threaded fastener 28. This rotational torque 26 is then distributed through the support bracket 30 to a torque distributing portion 34 of the support bracket 30. This torque distributing portion 34 is positioned between a first end 36 of the support bracket 30 and a second end 38 of the support bracket 30 that oppose one another.

[0031] According to the various aspects of the device, the support bracket 30 disclosed herein is typically attached to a top cover 50 that is incorporated within the outer enclosure 12. The fluid inlet 18 and the fluid outlet 22 extend through the top cover 50. Additionally, the support bracket 30 is attached to the top cover 50 so that the rotational torque 26 can be distributed from the torque receiving end 32 and into the torque distributing portion 34 that is attached to the top cover 50. It is contemplated that the distribution of the rotational torque 26 is then delivered into the top cover 50 as well as the remainder of the outer enclosure 12. Using this configuration of the support bracket 30, portions of the top cover 50 can be removed to allow for maintenance within the outer enclosure 12 of the water heating appliance 10. The flexible conduit 52 of the fluid inlet 18 and the fluid outlet 22, without support, tend to slump or deflect downward. This deflection of the flexible conduit 52 can interfere with certain maintenance operations within the outer enclosure 12. Use of this support bracket 30, in combination with the inlet retainer end 20 and the outlet retainer end 24, helps to maintain the position of the flexible conduit 52 of the fluid inlet 18 and the fluid outlet 22 in a static position during maintenance of the water heating appliance 10.

[0032] Additionally, tightening or loosening various threaded fasteners 28 with respect to the fluid inlet 18 and the fluid outlet 22 does not impact the structural integrity of the flexible conduit 52 through use of the support bracket 30. As described herein, the support bracket 30 receives the rotational torque 26 from a threaded fastener 28 and distributes this rotational torque 26 away from the flexible conduit 52 and into the support bracket 30 and ultimately into the outer enclosure 12 of the water heating appliance 10.

[0033] Referring again to FIGS. 1-7, the water heating appliance 10 includes an outer enclosure 12 that surrounds portions of the water heating appliance 10 and components contained therein. The outer enclosure 12 can include multiple components, such as a front wall panel 60 and a rear wall panel 62 that can be positioned in a surrounding position 72. In the surrounding position 72, the wall panels 14 surround and protect the various aspects and components of the water heating appliance 10.

[0034] As exemplified in FIGS. 1-7, the outer enclosure 12 can include a lower housing 80 and an upper housing 82. The lower housing 80 is configured to surround a reservoir 84 and certain heating components that may surround the reservoir 84. It is contemplated that these heating components can include resistive heating elements, gas-powered heating elements, a heat pump system 76, and other heat exchangers for providing heat to the water within the reservoir 84. The upper housing 82 can include the heat pump system 76 and a blower 86 that is in thermal communication with an evaporator 88 of the heat pump system 76. The heat pump system 76 can operate as the primary heat source for the water heating appliance 10. Alternatively, it is contemplated that the heat pump system 76 can act as a secondary or supplemental heat source for heating water to be delivered from the water heating appliance 10.

[0035] Referring again to FIGS. 1-7, the outer enclosure 12 can include a plurality of panels that can be separable from the remainder of the outer enclosure 12 for providing access to certain locations of the water heating appliance 10. As described herein, the upper housing 82 includes the perimeter wall 100 that is made up of a plurality of wall panels 14. These wall panels 14 are typically made up of the front wall panel 60 and the rear wall panel 62. The upper housing 82 also includes the first top panel 102 and the second top panel 104 that can be attached to the plurality of wall panels 14 of the upper housing 82.

[0036] Referring again to FIGS. 1-7, during operation of the heat pump system 76 for the water heating appliance 10, an air inlet 110 is disposed within the second top panel 104, where the blower 86 draws ambient air into the upper housing 82 through the air inlet 110. This ambient air passes through a heat exchanger, typically in the form of the evaporator 88. Within the evaporator 88, heat is extracted from the ambient air and is directed into a thermal exchange media 112 or directly into the water to be heated. After leaving the evaporator 88, the now cooled air is directed through the blower 86, and the cooled air is expelled through an air outlet 114 that is defined within the first top panel 102. The air inlet 110 and the air outlet 114 can each include a grill 116 or other feature that provides support and structural integrity to each of the air inlet 110 and the air outlet 114, respectively. The air outlet 114 can also include an air filter 118 that can be used for capturing particulate within the cooled process air leaving the evaporator 88. This filter can be separated from a filter slot 120 of the grill 116 for the air outlet 114 for periodic cleaning and/or replacement.

[0037] Referring again to FIGS. 5-7, the heat exchanger for the heat pump system 76 extracts heat from the ambient air and delivers this heat to the reservoir 84 of the water heating appliance 10 or to another area where water is heated. The water to be heated is delivered into the water heating appliance 10 through a fluid inlet 18. The heated water is then delivered from the water heating appliance 10 to an external location via a fluid outlet 22. The fluid inlet 18 and the fluid outlet 22 each pass through the top cover 50 of the upper housing 82. As described herein, the top cover 50 of the outer housing includes the first top panel 102 and the second top panel 104 that combine to provide the top enclosure for the upper housing 82. The fluid inlet 18 and the fluid outlet 22 are typically in the form of a flexible conduit 52. This flexible conduit 52 can be a corrugated stainless-steel conduit, a flexible plastic conduit, a flexible metal conduit, or a flexible conduit 52 that includes pasting and metallic components. It is contemplated that more rigid conduits can be used for the fluid inlet 18 and the fluid outlet 22.

[0038] As exemplified in FIGS. 6-10, the flexible conduit 52 of the fluid inlet 18 includes the inlet retainer end 20, which can be a rigid portion of the fluid inlet 18. Similarly, the flexible conduit of the fluid outlet 22 can include the outlet retainer end 24 that can be a rigid portion of the fluid outlet 22. In this aspect of the device, the rigid components of the flexible conduit, in the form of the inlet retainer end 20 and the outlet retainer end 24 can be supported by the support bracket 30. Additionally, the rigid inlet retainer end 20 and the rigid outlet retainer end 24 can be the portions of the flexible conduits 52 that extend through the cutout portions 192 of the top cover 50.

[0039] As exemplified in FIGS. 1-7, the upper housing 82 can include a control panel 140 for operating the various components of the water heating appliance 10. The junction box 142 can also be included within an area of the upper housing 82 and attached to a base plate 144 of the upper housing 82. According to the various aspects of the device, the junction box 142 is separate from the wall panels 14 of the upper housing 82 such that removal of the various wall panels 14 of the upper housing 82 does not affect the operation, location, or placement of the junction box 142 or the wiring that extends into or out from the junction box 142.

[0040] Referring again to FIGS. 1-5, the outer enclosure 12 of the water heating appliance 10 also includes a relief valve 150 that allows certain amounts of water from a reservoir 84 to be released for decreasing the pressure within the water heating appliance 10. The water heating appliance 10 can also include a drain 152 that is positioned within a bottom portion of the outer enclosure 12 to drain certain amounts of water from the reservoir 84.

[0041] Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, the blower 86 and the heat pump system 76 can be mounted onto a base plate 144. This base plate 144 operates to separate the upper housing 82 from the lower housing 80 and to provide structural support for the blower 86 and the heat pump system 76. The components of the heat pump system 76 located within the upper housing 82 can include the heat exchanger, the compressor 160, at least one expansion device 162, and the blower 86. Various other components can also be included within the upper housing 82. A condensing portion 164 of the heat pump system 76 is typically positioned adjacent to or in thermal communication with the reservoir 84 or conduit where the water is heated for the water heating appliance 10.

[0042] During operation of the heat pump system 76, a thermal exchange media 112, such as a refrigerant, water, or other similar thermal exchange media 112, can be delivered from the compressor 160 and through a refrigerant loop 170. The heat exchange media leaving the compressor 160 is pressurized and heated, typically in the form of a gas. This form of a heat exchange media is then directed to a condensing portion 164 of the heat pump system 76 where heat is rejected into a separate media. In the case of the water heating appliance 10, this separate media is the water to be heated. The condensing portion 164 of the heat exchange system expels the heat from the thermal exchange media 112 and directs this heat into the water to be heated. As discussed herein, this water to be heated can be within the reservoir 84 or within a conduit of water that is heated as it moves through the condensing portion 164 of the heat pump system 76. After leaving the condensing portion 164 of the heat pump system 76, the heat exchange media is delivered to an expansion device 162. Within the expansion device 162, the heat exchange media, which is now cooled, is expanded into a liquid form. This cooled liquid form of the heat exchange media is then delivered to the evaporator 88 of the heat pump system 76. Within the evaporator 88, the heat exchange media absorbs heat from the ambient air moving through the evaporator 88 due to operation of the blower 86. The heat exchange media leaving the evaporator 88 is in the form of a heated gas that is then returned to the compressor 160 to begin this cycle of the refrigerant loop 170 again.

[0043] According to the various aspects of the device, as exemplified in FIGS. 1-7, various outer panels of the outer enclosure 12 are separable from the outer enclosure 12 for maintaining components of the heat pump system 76, the blower 86, and other components of the water heating appliance 10.

[0044] According to the various aspects of the device, as exemplified in FIGS. 5-12, the water heating appliance 10 includes the fluid inlet 18 having a first flexible conduit 180 and an inlet retainer end 20. The water heating appliance 10 also includes the second fluid outlet that includes a second flexible conduit 182 and the outlet retainer end 24. The outer enclosure 12 of the water heating appliance 10 includes the top cover 50 through which the first flexible conduit 180 and the second flexible conduit 182 extend. The support bracket 30 engages the inlet retainer end 20 and the outlet retainer end 24, which are positioned within the outer enclosure 12. When a rotational torque 26 is exerted on a threaded fastener 28 of one of the fluid inlet 18 and the fluid outlet 22, typically through the inlet retainer end 20 and the outlet retainer end 24, this rotational torque 26 is absorbed by the support bracket 30 and is transferred from the torque receiving end 32 of the support bracket 30 to the torque distributing portion 34. As described herein, the torque receiving end 32 of the support bracket 30 is within the first end 36 or the second end 38 of the support bracket 30 depending upon where the threaded fastener 28 is being located. In either instance, the rotational torque 26 exerted upon the threaded fastener 28 is distributed from the inlet retainer end 20 or the outlet retainer end 24 and into the first end 36 or the second end 38, through the support bracket 30, and into the torque distributing portion 34 of the support bracket 30. This torque distributing portion 34 is attached to the top cover 50 such that this rotational torque 26 can be distributed from the support bracket 30 and into the top cover 50 and the remainder of the outer enclosure 12.

[0045] Referring again to FIGS. 5-12, the top cover 50 of the outer enclosure 12 is incorporated within the upper housing 82. The fluid inlet 18 and the fluid outlet 22 extend through the top cover 50. The support cover is attached to the top cover 50 to provide for the distribution of the rotational torque 26 into the outer enclosure 12. The top cover 50 includes the first top panel 102 and the second top panel 104 that meet at a dividing edge 184. The first top panel 102 includes a seat 186 that receives a mount 188 of the second top panel 104. The seat 186 of the first top panel 102 and the mount 188 of the second top panel 104 cooperate to define the dividing edge 184 and are attached to one another and the wall panels 14 via fasteners 190. At this dividing edge 184, the first top panel 102 and the second top panel 104 also define cutout portions 192 through which the fluid inlet 18 and the fluid outlet 22 pass through the top panel of the outer enclosure 12. Under typical operation, the at least one cutout portion 192 of the first top panel 102 and the second top panel 104 cooperate to support the position of the flexible conduit 52 of the fluid inlet 18 and the fluid outlet 22. During maintenance of the water heating appliance 10, the second top panel 104 can be removed from the first top panel 102. Removal of the second top panel 104 also removes a significant part of the cutout portion 192 that typically supports flexible conduits 52. Use of the support bracket 30 provides a supplemental support to the flexible conduits 52 of the fluid inlet 18 and the fluid outlet 22. In particular, during maintenance of the water heating appliance 10, when the second top panel 104 is removed, a support bracket 30 interacts with the inlet retainer end 20 and the outlet retainer end 24 to maintain a position of the flexible conduits 52 during maintenance of the water heating appliance 10.

[0046] During installation, maintenance, or other repair of the water heating appliance 10, threaded fasteners 28, such as from a fluid inlet line 210 from a water source and a fluid outlet line 212 to the surrounding structure can be attached to the fluid inlet 18 and/or the fluid outlet 22. During attachment of these fluid lines, the threaded fastener 28, such as a threaded nut, must be tightened on to the fluid inlet 18 and/or the fluid outlet 22, typically via the inlet retainer end 20 and the outlet retainer end 24. This requires exertion of the rotational torque 26 onto the fluid inlet 18 and the fluid outlet 22. The use of flexible conduits 52 is convenient for manipulating this flexible conduit 52 during manufacture, installation, and maintenance of water heating appliances 10. However, these flexible conduits 52 can be susceptible to damage through the exertion of the rotational torque 26. The use of the support bracket 30 serves to absorb the rotational torque 26 exerted on to the fluid inlet 18 and the fluid outlet 22 so that this rotational torque 26 is not delivered into the flexible conduit 52. Rather, as described herein, this rotational torque 26 is delivered into a torque receiving end 32 that is proximate the threaded fastener 28. This rotational torque 26 is then distributed through a body 220 of the support bracket 30 and into the torque distributing portion 34 of the support bracket 30. This torque distributing portion 34 is attached to the top cover 50, typically the first top panel 102 of the top cover 50, so that the rotational torque 26 can be distributed into the top cover 50 and the outer enclosure 12.

[0047] Referring again to FIGS. 6-12, the support bracket 30 includes the first end 36 that engages the inlet retainer end 20, and the second end 38 that engages the outlet retainer end 24. The torque distributing portion 34 extends between the first end 36 and the second end 38. The first end 36 and the second end 38 each include a respective faceted edge 230 that form a faceted first end 36 and a faceted second end 38, respectively. The faceted edges 230 of the first end 36 and the second end 38 engage, typically in a mating fashion, the inlet retainer end 20 and the outlet retainer end 24, respectively. The first end 36 and the second end 38 of the support bracket 30 each include an open side 232 through which the inlet retainer end 20 and the outlet retainer end 24 can be slidably engaged with the respective faceted edge 230 of the first end 36. In certain aspects of the device, the first end 36 and the second end 38 can form a closed end. In such an aspect of the device, the faceted edges 230 of the first end 36 and the second end 38 are configured to surround the inlet retainer end 20 and the outlet retainer end 24. Typically, the first end 36, and the second end 38 will include the open side 232.

[0048] Use of this faceted edge 230 allows for the first end 36 and the second end 38 of the support bracket 30 to engage and support the fluid inlet 18 and the fluid outlet 22. By way of example, and not limitation, the faceted edge 230 can take the form of a four-sided open end, similar to that of a wrench, or other similar hex-type tool. It is contemplated that other configurations of the faceted edge 230 can be utilized. The faceted edge 230 of the first end 36 and the second end 38 are typically configured to matingly engage the outer profile 240 of the inlet retainer end 20 and the outlet retainer end 24 of the fluid inlet 18 and the fluid outlet 22.

[0049] Referring again to FIGS. 6-12, the torque distributing portion 34 includes an offset portion 250 that is in an offset configuration relative to the first end 36 and the second end 38 of the support bracket 30. Through this offset portion 250, the first end 36 and the second end 38 extend downward from the top cover 50 and are offset from an underside 252 of the top cover 50. The offset portion 250 of the torque distributing portion 34 extends upward to engage the underside 252 of the top cover 50. Fasteners 190 extend through the top cover 50 and the support bracket 30 to fix the torque distributing portion 34 of the support bracket 30 to the top cover 50. Through this engagement, the rotational torque 26 exerted on the threaded fastener 28 of the fluid inlet 18 and/or the fluid outlet 22 can be transferred through the torque receiving ends 32 and into the torque distributing portion 34 to be distributed through the outer enclosure 12 via the top cover 50.

[0050] Referring again to FIGS. 6-12, with the support bracket 30 installed on the underside 252 of the first top panel 102, the offset portion 250 can be aligned with and in engagement with a portion of the seat 186 for the first top panel 102. In this manner, the seat 186 can operate as an alignment feature that positions the support bracket 30 with respect to the top cover 50 as well as the inlet retainer end 20 and the outlet retainer end 24. This engagement of the offset portion 250 of the support bracket 30 with the seat 186 provides an additional interface through which the rotational torque 26 can be distributed into the top cover 50 and the remainder of the outer enclosure 12.

[0051] In certain aspects of the device, the first end 36 and the second end 38 of the support bracket 30 are configured to align with the interrupted portions 194 of the seat 186 and the mount 188. Depending on the height of the offset portion 250, the first end 36 and the second end 38 can be disposed within, and in some aspects journaled within, the interrupted portions 194 of the seat 186 and the mount 188. This is the case where the offset portion 250 of the support bracket 30 is minimal or where the support bracket 30 is a planar member that lacks the offset portion 250. Additionally, the alignment of the support bracket 30 with the interrupted portions 194 of the seat 186 and the mount 188 can act as a temporary retaining mechanism to partially hold the support bracket 30 in place as the fasteners 190 are installed into the body 220 of the support bracket 30 and the first top panel 102.

[0052] Referring again to FIGS. 6-12, the opening width 260 of the open side 232 of the first end 36, and the second end 38 of the support bracket 30 has a width that corresponds to the face-to-face width 262 of the inlet retainer end 20. By way of example, and not limitation, the inlet retainer end 20 and the outlet retainer end 24 can include a hexagonal fastening bolt having the face-to-face width 262 and a point-to-point width 264. Accordingly, the inlet retainer end 20 and the outlet retainer end 24 are positioned in a particular rotational orientation with respect to the support bracket 30 so that the first end 36 and the second end 38 of the support bracket 30 can engage the inlet retainer end 20 and the outlet retainer end 24 of the fluid inlet 18 and the fluid outlet 22. This engagement with the face-to-face width 262 of the inlet retainer end 20 and the outlet retainer end 24 provides a secure rotational engagement that prevents rotation of the inlet retainer end 20, the outlet retainer end 24, and the flexible conduits 52 of the fluid inlet 18 and the fluid outlet 22. Through this engagement, the rotational torque 26 can be distributed from the threaded fastener 28, into a limited portion of the fluid inlet 18 and the fluid outlet 22, into the torque receiving end 32 of the support bracket 30 via the inlet retainer end 20 and the outlet retainer end 24, then to the top cover 50 and the outer enclosure 12 via the torque distributing portion 34 of the support bracket 30.

[0053] Moreover, use of the support bracket 30 prevents rotational torque 26 within one of the fluid inlet 18 or the fluid outlet 22 from passing to the other of the fluid inlet 18 and the fluid outlet 22. Positioning of the torque distributing portion 34 of the support bracket 30 prevents rotational torque 26 from extending from the first end 36 of the support bracket 30 and into the second end 38 of the support bracket 30. Again, the torque distributing portion 34 prevents the transfer of this rotational torque 26 into either of the fluid inlet 18 and the fluid outlet 22. Accordingly, all rotational torque 26 that is exerted by a threaded fastener 28 is directed into the top cover 50 and the remainder of the outer enclosure 12 from the water heating appliance 10.

[0054] Referring again to FIGS. 1-12, the water heating appliance 10 includes the flexible fluid inlet 18 that includes the inlet retainer end 20. The water heating appliance 10 also includes the flexible fluid outlet 22 that includes the outlet retainer end 24. The outer enclosure 12 includes the top cover 50 through which the flexible fluid inlet 18 and the flexible fluid outlet 22 extends. The support bracket 30 engages the inlet retainer end 20 and the outlet retainer end 24. The top cover 50 and the support bracket 30 cooperate with the inlet retainer end 20 and the outlet retainer end 24 to maintain a position of the flexible fluid inlet 18 and the flexible fluid outlet 22. The rotational torque 26 exerted on a threaded fastener 28 of one of the flexible fluid inlet 18 and the flexible fluid outlet 22 is absorbed by the support bracket 30. This rotational torque 26 is then transferred from the torque receiving end 32 of the support bracket 30, which is proximate the threaded fastener 28. This rotational torque 26 is then distributed through the support bracket 30 and into the torque distributing portion 34 of the support bracket. The torque distributing portion 34, being attached to the top cover 50, allows the rotational torque 26 to be delivered into the outer enclosure 12 via the top cover 50.

[0055] As described herein, use of the support bracket provides for a convenient system of maintaining the positions of the flexible conduits 52 of the fluid inlet 18 and the fluid outlet 22. Additionally, the support bracket prevents rotational torque 26 from causing damage to the flexible conduits 52 through the exertion of the rotational torque 26 within the structure of the flexible conduits 52. The rotational torque 26 is directed through the support bracket and into the outer enclosure 12 of the water heating appliance 10 via the top cover 50. Accordingly, use of the support bracket extends the life of certain components of the water heating appliance 10 and also provides for a convenient mechanism for maintaining a clear space through which the water heating appliance 10 can be maintained.

[0056] It will be understood by one having ordinary skill in the art that construction of the described disclosure and other components is not limited to any specific material. Other exemplary embodiments of the disclosure disclosed herein may be formed from a wide variety of materials, unless described otherwise herein.