WINDOW AIR CONDITIONER BRACKET
A separable bracket for a window air conditioner is disclosed. The bracket includes a first and second U-shaped component configured to slide or translate relative to each other to alter an opening therebetween. The legs of the first U-shaped component are configured to slidingly receive corresponding legs of the second U-shaped component. The bracket can thus be adjusted to accommodate the various sizes of window air conditioners. The bracket is also configured to receive sealing members beside the window air conditioner. The bracket can be fastened to a window if desired.
1 . A window air conditioner bracket comprising:
a multi-piece separable bracket having a first component and a second component, wherein said first component is a U-shaped member having a first leg; a second leg; and a third leg; wherein said second leg is coupled to said first leg and arranged substantially perpendicular to said first leg; and said third leg is coupled to said second leg and arranged substantially perpendicular to said second leg and substantially parallel to said first leg;
wherein said second component is a U-shaped member having a first leg; a second leg; and a third leg; said second leg is coupled to said first leg and arranged substantially perpendicular to said first leg; and said third leg is coupled to said second leg and arranged substantially perpendicular to said second leg and substantially parallel to said first leg;
wherein said bracket is configured to have a disassembled state and an assembled state; wherein in said disassembled state, said first component and said second component are disengaged and separated; and
wherein in said assembled state, said bracket is configured to occupy a range of configurations between and including a first configuration and a second configuration, wherein in said first configuration, said first component is engaged with said second component and said first leg of said first component receives said first leg of said second component, and wherein said third leg of said first component receives said third leg of said second component, and wherein said second leg of said first component is spaced apart from said second leg of said second component a first distance.
2 . The window air conditioner bracket of claim 1 , wherein in said second configuration, said second leg of said first component is spaced apart from said second leg of said second component a second distance.
3 . The window air conditioner bracket of claim 2 , wherein said second distance is greater than said first distance.
4 . The window air conditioner bracket of claim 1 , wherein said first component is an upper U-shape component and said second component is a lower U-shape component.
5 . The window air conditioner bracket of claim 1 , wherein said first component U-shaped member is formed of a single piece of material.
6 . The window air conditioner bracket of claim 1 , wherein said second component U-shaped member is formed of a single piece of material.
7 . The window air conditioner bracket of claim 1 , wherein at least one of said first leg of said first component and said third leg of said first component includes a first face, a second face, a return lip, and a space between said second face and said return lip.
8 . The window air conditioner bracket of claim 7 , wherein at least one of said first leg of said second component and said third leg of said second component is configured to slide within said space between said second face and said return lip.
9 . The window air conditioner bracket of claim 1 , further comprising a sealing member having a sealing carrier with a first leg, a second leg, and a third leg, wherein said first leg of said sealing carrier is configured to slidingly couple to said second leg of said first component, and wherein said third leg of said sealing carrier is configured to slidingly couple to said second leg of said second component.
10 . The window air conditioner bracket of claim 1 , further comprising a fastener locking said first component to said second component.
11 . A method of installing an air conditioner in a window opening comprising the steps of:
providing a window air conditioner bracket having a first U-shaped component further comprising a first leg, a second leg, and a third leg, and a second complementary U-shaped component further comprising a first leg, a second leg, and a third leg, wherein said first U-shaped component and said second U-shaped component are separable pieces;
assembling said bracket by inserting said first leg of said second U-shaped component into said first leg of said first U-shaped component and inserting said third leg of said second U-shaped component into said third leg of said first U-shaped component;
translating said first U-shaped component with respect to said second U-shaped component until a desired distance is achieved between said second leg of said first U-shaped component and said second leg of said second U-shaped component;
creating a window opening by moving a sash away from a stool;
inserting said bracket into said window opening;
moving the sash into contact with said second leg of said first U-shaped component to secure said bracket within said window opening;
placing a window air conditioner on said second leg of said second component in between said first leg and said third leg;
translating the window air conditioner outwardly through the window opening until a flange of the window air conditioner contacts said bracket.
12 . The method of claim 11 , further comprising the step of fastening said first U-shaped component to said second U-shaped component.
13 . The method of claim 11 , further comprising the step of fastening at least one of said first U-shaped component and said second U-shaped component to a portion of the window.
14 . The method of claim 11 , further comprising the step of coupling at least one sealing member to said bracket.
15 . The method of claim 14 , wherein said at least one sealing member further comprises a sealing carrier and a sealing element, wherein said sealing carrier is configured to be slidingly coupled to said bracket.
16 . A separable window air conditioner bracket comprising:
a first U-shaped component having a base, a first leg depending from said base, and a second leg depending from said base;
a second U-shaped component having a base, a first leg depending from said base, and a second leg depending from said base, wherein said second U-shaped component is separable from said first U-shaped component;
wherein said first U-shaped component and said second U-shaped component are configured to be removably coupled such that said second U-shaped component is translatable with respect to said first U-shaped component in a manner that alters a distance between said base of said first U-shaped component and said base of said second U-shaped component.
17 . The separable window air conditioner bracket of claim 16 , wherein at least one of said first leg of said first U-shaped component or said second leg of said second U-shaped component slidingly receives, respectively, said first leg of said second U-shaped component or said second leg of said second U-shaped component.
18 . The separable window air conditioner bracket of claim 16 , wherein at least one of said first leg or said second leg of said first U-shaped component is configured to receive a sealing member.
19 . The separable window air conditioner bracket of claim 16 , wherein said first U-shaped member and said second U-shaped member are configured to provide an opening therebetween to receive a window air conditioner therethrough.
20 . The separable window air conditioner bracket of claim 16 , wherein said base, said first leg, and said second leg of said first U-shaped member are formed from a single piece of material.