US3319708A

US3319708A - Penetrable tract for finned heating unit with barbs

Info

Publication number: US3319708A
Application number: US464949A
Authority: US
Inventors: Elliot S Nelson
Original assignee: EMBASSY IND Inc
Current assignee: EMBASSY IND Inc
Priority date: 1965-06-18
Filing date: 1965-06-18
Publication date: 1967-05-16
Anticipated expiration: 1984-05-16
Also published as: GB1126488A; ES321530A1

Description

E. s. NELSON May 16, 1%?

IENETRABLE TRACK FOR FINNED HEATING UNIT WITH BARBS Filed June 18, 1965 FIG-n3 INVENTOR. Elliot 5. Nelson ATTORNEY nited States fiatent C) 3,319,708 PENETRAELE TRACT FOR FINNED HEATING UNIT WITH BARBS Eiliot S. Nelson, Westhury, N.Y., assignor to Embassy Industries, lino, Farmingdale, N.Y., a corporation of New York Filed June 18, 1965, Ser. No. 464,949 6 Claims. (Cl. 16567) This invention relates generally to a fin tube unit which is readily adapted for baseboard radiation and/or the like, and more specifically to an improved fin tube unit and track therefor of the type disclosed in US. Patent No. 2,963,276.

Heretofore, and prior to the invention covered in US. Patent No. 2,963,276, severe difficulties have been encountered in the installations of fin tube units, e.g. baseboard radiations, to accommodate the problem of expansion and contraction and of minimizing the noise resulting therefrom. The difficulties noted are even more aggravated in relatively long units involving rectilinearly interconnected segments of such units. Normally, such units or segments comprise an elongated tube having a plurality of fins secured thereto in longitudinally spaced relationship. Support for such units is usually attained by resting the same on suitable supporting brackets. Heretofore, the area of support between the fins of the unit and the brackets supporting the same was generally defined as an expanded surface area. Consequently, the expanded contact surface area between the fins of the unit and the supporting brackets therefor offered a considerable amount of resistance which had to be overcome during the expansion and contraction of the unit in operation. Accordingly, the noise resulting due to the relative movement between the fin tube unit and its supporting brackets was proportional to the contacting surface therebetween. Also, the relative movement resulting during contraction and expansion of the fins tube unit with respect to the brackets tended to damage or bend the edge of the fins. Consequently, relatively expensive and complicated bracket constructions had been conceived in an effort to minimize the problems of expansion and contraction of the fin tu-be units and of noise resulting therefrom. Such relatively complicated supports not only increased the initial cost of such installations, they also resulted in increasing the time and effort required to make the installation.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide an improved fin tube unit which is constructed and arranged so as to minimize the area of contact between the fin tube unit and the bracket on which it is supported to decrease the resistance therebetween due to the expansion and contraction of the unit.

It is another object of this invention to provide an improved track construction adapted to protect the corner portions of the aligned fins from damage during expansion and contraction.

It is another object of this invention to provide a fin tube unit with improved track structure wherein the fin tube unit is supported on its respective support elements by a pair of spaced line contacts defined by the track so as to minimize resistance between the fin tube unit and the supports during expansion and contraction.

It is another object of this invention to provide a fin tube construction having an improved track arrangement extending along the aligned corner portions of the respective fins to form a continuous protective covering for the respective corner portions of the fins wherein the corner of the track extends beyond the corners of the fins to provide a line contact between the unit and the support elements therefor.

3,319,708 Patented May 16, 1967 ice It is another object of this invention to provide an improved track construction for protecting the corner portions of the fins from damage while at the same time protecting an installer from being injured thereby.

In accordance with this invention, the foregoing objects and other features and advantages are obtained by a fin tube unit comprised of an elongated tube having longitudinally spaced therealong a plurality of similarly constructed fins. More particularly, the fins are formed at the corners with points. Adjacent the respective corners thereof the sides of the fins are each provided with a notch. The arrangement is such that a notch is disposed on each side of the fins adjacent the corners to define opposed barbs.

In accordance with this invention, an improved elongated track member formed of a flexible and preferably non-metallic material is frictionally secured to the aligned corner portions of the respective fins. The track mem ber comprises a member defined by a pair of leg portions forming therebetween an angle which is less than the angle defined by the corners of the fins. The opposed free edge portions of the track member are each formed with an inwardly turned beaded portion. In assembly, the track member is snapped in place to cover the corner portions of the fins by forcing the beaded portions of the track to engage the notches on the opposed sides of the corners. In doing so, edges of the barbs pierce the inner surface of the track to positively secure and maintain the track member thereto. Because the angle of the apex defined between the opposed leg portions of the track is less than the angle of the corner, the track flexes so that the corner of the track extends beyond the corner of the fins, and thereby defines a line contact for support of the fin tube unit with respect to its supporting bracket. Accordingly, a minimum amount of resistance surface is interposed between the fin tube unit in accordance with this invention and the supporting brackets therefor.

A feature of this invention therefore resides in the provision of a fin tube unit which is constructed and arranged so as to be supported on its supporting elements by a pair of spaced lined contacts so as to offer the minimum resistance between the expanding and contracting fin tube units and the relative fixed brackets on which the same is supported.

Another feature of this invention resides in an improved track construction for protecting the corners of the fins and which co-acts therewith to positively secure the track to the fins.

Another feature of this invention resides in the provision of an improved track for a fin tube unit in which the angle defined between the opposed leg portions of the track is less than the angle defined at the corners of the fin so that in the assembled position, the apex of the track extends outwardly beyond the corner of the fins to define a line contact between the fin tube unit and its supporting brackets.

Another feature of this invention resides in the provision forming the corners of the fins with barbs which pierce the inner surface of the track member to positively secure the track thereto, and whereby the piercing of the track positively maintains the corners of the fins in spaced relationship.

Other features and advantages will become more readily apparent when considered in view of the specification and drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is an end view of the improved fin tube unit constructed in accordance with the instant invention and illustrated in a supported position on a support element or bracket.

FIGURE 2 is a side view of a fragmentary portion of the fin tube unit in accordance with the instant invention.

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view of a corner portion of the fin to illustrate the co-action between the track and the corner of the fin.

FIGURE 4 is a perspective view of the improved track construction in accordance with the instant invention.

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line 55 on FIG. 4.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 the improved fin tube unit of the instant invention. As illustrated, the fin tube unit 10 is readily adapted for use as a baseboard heating installation. The fin tube unit 10 comprises a fin tube radiator made up of an elongated tube 11 having a plurality of substantially rectangularly shaped fins 12 secured thereto at longitudinally spaced intervals therealong. The installation includes a plurality of supporting brackets or elements 13 which are adapted to be spaced at intervals along a suitable supporting surface 14, e.g. a wall or the like. As shown, the brackets or supports 13 comprise a suitable back or support 13A by which it is connected to a wall 14 and laterally extending arm portion 13B which forms a base or support for the fin tube unit 10. Accordingly, a plurality of such supports 13 may be longitudinally spaced along a suitable support wall 14 to provide the necessary supports for an elongated fin tube unit 10.

The respective fins 12 are substantially rectangular in shape and each is provided with a central opening adapted to receive the tube 11 of the unit. As best seen in FIG. 2, a collar 15 circumscribes the central opening of the fin. The end of the collar terminates in a flared flange portion 15A which is adapted to abut against the next adjacent fin. Accordingly, the collar 15 defines the spacing between adjacent fins 12 when a plurality of such fins are secured to the tube 11 as best seen in FIG. 2.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 3, each of the corners of the fin 12 is defined by a point 16 having a pair of adjacent sides disposed at substantially right angles with respect to one another. The sides of the fins adjacent the respective corners thereof are provided with a notch 17. Accordingly, the notches adjacent each corner 16 define a reduced neck portion 18 by which the respective corners of the fin are integrally connected to the main body portion 19 of the fin, the edges of the respective notches also defining opposed barbs 20 on each corner or point 16 of the fin.

In accordance with this invention, a track 21 comprising an elongated member is extended along the respective corner portions 16 of the fins 12 to form a protective cover therefor and to define the area of contact between the fin tube unit 10 and its supporting brackets 13. The track member 21 may be formed of any suitable flexible and preferably non-metallic material, as for example a suitable plastic or the like. As shown, the

opposed leg portions

22, 23 of the track define therebetween an acute angle 24 which is substantially less than the angle defined between the adjacent sides of the fin corners 16. As shown, the free ends of the

opposed leg portions

22, 23 of the track member are each provided with inwardly turned

beaded edge portions

25, 26. Accordingly, the arrangement is such that the

beaded edge portions

25, 26 when assembled to the fins 12 are adapted to be snapped into the aligned notches 17 adjacent the corners 16 of the fins. Because the angle 24- defined between the

opposed leg portions

22, 23 of the track member 21 is less than the angle defined by the point or corners 16 of the fins, the arrangement is such that the barbs 20 defined by edge portion of the notches 17 will penetrate the inner surface of the track member 21, as seen in FIG. 3. Also, because the angle 24 of the track member 21 is less than that of the corner 16, the

legs

22, 23 of the track member will tend to deform so that the apex 27 of the track 21 extends beyond the apex 28 of the corner 16, and thereby defines a lined contact 29 with supporting bracket 13 when the tracked fin tube unit is supported thereon, as best seen in FIG. 1. Accordingly, the fin tube unit throughout its entire length is supported on the respective brackets or support elements 13 by a pair of spaced lined contacts 29 as seen in FIG. 1. With the fin tube unit thus supported, a minimum of resistance is offered between the fin tube unit 10 and the supports 13 thereof during expansion and contraction thereof. Accordingly, the amount of resistance and noise resulting therefrom is reduced to a minimum. Also, it is to be noted that because the edges of the notches or barbs 20 defined thereby penetrate the inner surface of the track 21, the track is positively secure to the fins at spaced intervals therealong the track member. Also, because the edges of the corners 16 of the fins are embedded in the track member, the corners 16 are prohibited from being bent or distorted. Also, because the track 21 is formed of a plastic material, it will tend to further silence or dampen any sound or noise which would otherwise result due to any relative movement between the fin tube unit 10 and the supporting brackets 13.

While the instant invention has been described with reference to a particular embodiment thereof, it will be readily appreciated and understood that variations and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A fin tube unit comprising:

an elongated tube,

a plurality of fins secured to said tube at longitudinally spaced intervals therealong,

said fins having their respective corner portions disposed in alignment along the length of said tube and the adjacent edges of said corner portions defining therebetween a given included angle,

a barb formed on at least one of said edges adjacent the corner portions of said fins,

a continuous track secured to the aligned corner portions of the fins,

said track comprising a strip of flexible and penetrable material having angularly disposed leg portions defining an angle therebetween,

the leg portions of said track being sufliciently long as to extend over said barb on the edge of said fin adjacent the corner portion covered by said track,

and said barb penetrating into the leg portion of said track extending thereover.

2. In combination, a heating and cooling unit comprising:

support elements, and

a fin tube unit supported on said elements,

said unit comprising an elongated tube,

and means for supporting said fin tube unit on said support elements in a manner to minimize friction and noise during the expansion and contraction of said fin tube unit relative to said support elements, whereby said means define spaced line contact between said unit and said support elements, and said latter means including points formed at the corner portions adjacent the bottom edge of the respective fins whereby said points are aligned along the length of said tube, the side edges of said fins adjacent said points having notches formed therein to define opposed barbs on said points, and a continuous track covering the aligned points of said fins, said track comprising a strip of flexible, readily p e n e t r a b l e material that is substantially V-shaped in cross-section terminating in an inwardly disposed beaded edge extending along the open end of said track, the angle of said track being normally less than the angle of said point defined at the bottom corners of said fins, said track being frictionally fitted over said points along the length of said unit so that the beaded edger portions thereof are seated in the notches adjacent the points of said fins, and the barbed edges of said points penetrate the beaded edge of said track to secure the same in place whereby the corner of said track extends beyond said points to define a line contact when said unit is supported on said support elements.

3. A fin tube unit including an elongated tube and a plurality of similarly constructed fins secured thereto at spaced intervals longitudinally of said tube, the improvement in which:

(a) said fins are substantially rectangular in shape,

(b) the respective corners of said fins defining a substantially right angle corner,

(c) the side edges of said fins adjacent said points having notches formed therein to define opposed barbs on said points, and

(d) a flexible and penetrable track fixed over the aligned corners said fins,

(e) said track having angularly disposed leg portions, said leg portions defining therebetween an apex angle of less than 90 degrees,

(if) said leg portions terminating in a beaded edge seated in the notches adjacent said corners, whereby (g) the apex of said track extends beyond the covered corner of said fin to define a line contact and said barbs piercing of the beaded edge of said track to positively secure the track to the fins.

4. In a fin tube unit including an elongated tube having a plurality of similarly constructed fins secured to said tube at spaced intervals longitudinally of said tube, the improvement in which:

(a) each of said fins are substantially rectangular in shape,

(b) means defining at the respective corners of each of said fins a point having a substantially 90 degree angle defined by the adjacent sides of said fins,

(c) said fin having arcuate shaped notches formed in the sides of said fins adjacent said points to define opposed barbs on said points,

(d) a flexible track formed of a penetrable material fitted over corresponding points of adjacent fins,

(e) said track having angularly disposed leg portions, said leg portions defining therebetween an angle of substantially less than 90 degrees,

(f) said leg portions terminating in a bead edge adapted to be received in the notches adjacent said points whereby the barbs of said points piercing the inner surface of said track in the assembled position to prohibit deformation of the corners of said fins and to positively maintain the spacing thereof.

5. A finned tube unit comprising in combination:

(a) an elongated tube,

(b) a plurality of fins longitudinally spaced along said tube,

(c) each of said fins having a central opening for receiving said tube,

((1) an integrally formed collar circumscribing said opening whereby said collar defines the longitudinal spacing between adjacent fins on said tube,

(e) each of said fins having a point at the corners thereof,

(f) said fins having arcuate notches formed in the side edges thereof adjacent the tip ends of said point to define opposed barbs on the point defined therebetween,

(g) a flexible track formed of a penetrable material for covering the corners of said fins,

(h) said track including an elongated member having angularly disposed leg portions defining an acute angle therebetween,

(i) said angle of said track being less than the angle defined at the apex of said points,

(j) each of said leg portions terminating in an inwardly turned beaded edge that is co-extensive the length of said track,

(k) said beaded edge of the respective leg portions being accommodated in the notches adjacent the points covered by said track whereby the barbs of said points pierce the inside surface of said track to prohibit deformation of said corners and to maintain the spacing of said fins, and the relative shape of the assembled track being such that the entire unit is supported on a pair of spaced line contacts to minimize friction and noise during the expansion and contraction of said unit.

6. For use in a fin tube unit having a plurality of fins, said fin having aligned corner portions defined by a given included angle and having barbs formed thereon, the improvement of a track for protecting the corners of a fin tube unit comprising:

(a) an elongated flexible member formed of a penetrable material having opposed leg portions defining an acute angle therebetween,

(b) and, the opposed leg portions of said member terminating in an inwardly beaded edge whereby the opposed leg portions are adapted to straddle the adjacent sides of a fin at the corners thereof, wherein the angle included between the opposed leg portions of said track is less than the angle of the corner which said track is adapted to cover.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,963,276 12/1960 Nelson 165-55 X 3,258,066 6/1966 Becher et al. 165-55 ROBERT A. OLEARY, Primary Examiner.

A. W. DAVIS, Assistant Examiner.

Claims

6. FOR USE IN A FIN TUBE UNIT HAVING A PLURALITY OF FINS, SAID FIN HAVING ALIGNED CORNER PORTIONS DEFINED BY A GIVEN INCLUDED ANGLE AND HAVING BARBS FORMED THEREON, THE IMPROVEMENT OF A TRACK FOR PROTECTING THE CORNERS OF A FIN TUBE UNIT COMPRISING: (A) AN ELONGATED FLEXIBLE MEMBER FORMED OF A PENETRABLE MATERIAL HAVING OPPOSED LEG PORTIONS DEFINING AN ACUTE ANGLE THEREBETWEEN, (B) AND, THE OPPOSED LEG PORTIONS OF SAID MEMBER TERMINATING IN AN INWARDLY BEADED EDGE WHEREBY THE OPPOSED LEG PORTIONS ARE ADAPTED TO STRADDLE THE ADJACENT SIDES OF A FIN AT THE CORNERS THEREOF, WHEREIN THE ANGLE INCLUDED BETWEEN THE OPPOSED LEG PORTIONS OF SAID TRACK IS LESS THAN THE ANGLE OF THE CORNER WHICH SAID TRACK IS ADAPTED TO COVER.