Universal HVAC component mounting systems

#The present disclosure relates generally to support systems for mounting heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) components. In particular, universal HVAC component support systems with slidingly engaged bracket members are described.

#Known methods and devices for mounting HVAC components within existing ductwork are not entirely satisfactory for the range of applications in which they are employed. For example, existing mounting systems fail to adequately address the wide range of duct and furnace housing sizes to which HVAC components must be mounted. A significant problem faced by HVAC installers is anticipating the size of various styles and brands of plenum, air handlers, filter boxes, furnace housing, and the like.

#The variations in size and type of HVAC components and ductwork forces installers to custom make mounting hardware in the field. This process is time consuming, expensive, inefficient, and does not result in accurate work. Installers cannot quickly and accurately install components because equipment models and sizes vary so widely and conventional systems cannot be adjusted in the field to fit the range of applications.

#FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first example of a universal HVAC component mounting system.

#FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a first receiving section of the universal HVAC component mounting system shown in FIG. 1.

#FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a first inserting section of the universal HVAC component mounting system shown in FIG. 1.

#The disclosed universal HVAC component mounting systems will become better understood through review of the following detailed description in conjunction with the figures. The detailed description and figures provide merely examples of the various inventions described herein. Those skilled in the art will understand that the disclosed examples may be varied, modified, and altered without departing from the scope of the inventions described herein. Many variations are contemplated for different applications and design considerations; however, for the sake of brevity, each and every contemplated variation is not individually described in the following detailed description.

#Throughout the following detailed description, examples of various component mounting systems are provided. Related features in the examples may be identical, similar, or dissimilar in different examples. For the sake of brevity, related features will not be redundantly explained in each example. Instead, the use of related feature names will cue the reader that the feature with a related feature name may be similar to the related feature in an example explained previously. Features specific to a given example will be described in that particular example. The reader should understand that a given feature need not be the same or similar to the specific portrayal of a related feature in any given figure or example.

#With reference to FIGS. 1-6, a first example of a universal HVAC component mounting system 10 will now be described. Mounting system 10 includes a first rail section 20 having a central opening 22, a first support bracket 24 which extends on a first axis 65, a first receiving member 26 which extends on a second axis 66, and a second receiving member 28. Mounting system 10 further includes a second rail section 40) having a central opening 42, a second support bracket 44, a first inserting member 46, and a second inserting member 48.