Fastenerless mounting bracket for heat exchangers
View Patent ↗An integral plastic bracket, generally indicated at ( 34 ) in FIGS. 1-6 and at ( 134 ) in FIGS. 7-9 , is in gripping engagement with each of first and second manifolds. Each bracket and includes a pocket complementary to and surrounding the associated manifold or and a pair of spaced flanges extending from the pocket to engage the faces of the heat exchanger core. Each bracket and also includes a plurality of recesses disposed about projections along the manifolds and for preventing the bracket and from moving along the associated manifold. The flanges have inside surfaces engaging the faces of the heat exchanger core that are closer together at a distance (B) than the transverse dimension (A) of the manifolds and for retaining the bracket and on the heat exchanger core.
1. A heat exchanger assembly comprising;
a heat exchanger core having opposite faces surrounded by ends and sides,
a first header manifold disposed at one side of said heat exchanger core and a second header manifold in parallel relationship to said first header manifold and disposed along the other side of said heat exchanger core,
each of said manifolds and having a constant cross section along the length thereof,
said first manifold having a transverse dimension (A) perpendicular to said faces of said heat exchanger core that is larger than the distance (B) between said faces;
at least one irregularity disposed along said first manifold,
a bracket including a pocket gripping said first manifold and a pair of spaced flanges extending from said pocket and presenting inside surfaces extending over and engaging said faces of said heat exchanger core that are closer together (B) than said transverse dimension (A) of said first manifold for retaining said bracket and on said heat exchanger core,
said bracket including at least one deviation extending about said pocket between said flanges and disposed in locking relationship with said irregularity for preventing said bracket and from moving along said manifold.
2. An assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said deviation extends into said flanges for sliding said bracket over said irregularity.
3. An assembly as set forth in claim 2 wherein said cross section of said first manifold is round and said pocket is complementary to said first manifold.
4. An assembly as set forth in claim 3 including at least one support tab extending from said pocket in the opposite direction from said flanges.
5. An assembly as set forth in claim 1 including a second bracket or for engaging said second manifold.
6. An assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein each of said manifolds and has a circular cross section and wherein said irregularity includes a projection extending circularly about said first manifold and said deviation comprises a recess extending about said pocket in said bracket and engaging said projection.