Drain pan removable without the use of tools

• US 10,132,553 B2
• Filed: 07/05/2016
• Issued: 11/20/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 07/05/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Johnson Controls Tyco IP Holdings LLP (Johnson Controls International plc)
• Original Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company (Johnson Controls International plc)
• Inventors: Booz, Neil D., Latham, Angus B., Brooks, Beau G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Allen, Jeffrey
• Assistant Examiner(s): Castriotta, Jennifer
• Application Number:
  US15/202,361
• Publication Number:
  US 20180010844A1
• Time in Patent Office: 868 Days
• Field of Search: 220571-573, 220752, 220756, 220760, 220767-769, 220772, 220773, 220775, 220776, 220759
• CPC Class Codes: F16N 31/00 Means for collecting, retaining, or draining-off lubricant in or on machines or apparatus oil separators for separating oil from exhaust steam F22G
• CPC Class Codes: F16N 31/002 Drain pans
• CPC Class Codes: F16N 31/006 Drip trays
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 13/222 for evacuating condensate
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 21/14 Collecting or removing condensed and defrost water; Drip trays
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 2321/143 characterised by means to fix, clamp, or connect water pipes or evaporation trays
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 2321/144 characterised by the construction of drip water collection pans

Abstract

A drainage system comprising a first bracket having a horizontal structure and one or more vertical structures, a second bracket having a horizontal structure and one or more vertical structures and a drain pan having a plurality of locking mechanisms, each configured to interlock with one of the vertical structures of the first bracket or the second bracket.

Claims

1. A drainage system comprising:

a first bracket having a horizontal structure and one or more vertical structures;

a second bracket having a horizontal structure and one or more vertical structures; and

a drain pan having a plurality of locking mechanisms, each configured to interlock with one of the vertical structures of the first bracket or the second bracket, wherein one or more of the locking mechanisms comprise a first rectangular notch of the drain pan configured to interlock with one or more rectangular notches of the first bracket, wherein a second of the locking mechanisms comprise a second rectangular notch of the drain pan configured to interlock with one or more rectangular notches of the second bracket, and wherein the rectangular notches of the first bracket and the rectangular notches of the second bracket are configured to create an incline in a bottom surface of the drain pan.

2. The drainage system of claim 1 wherein the horizontal structure of the first bracket comprises a flat surface having a plurality of mounting holes.

3. The drainage system of claim 2 further comprising:

a support structure; and

a plurality of mechanical connectors coupling the support structure to the horizontal structure of the first bracket through the plurality of mounting holes.

4. The drainage system of claim 1 wherein the one or more vertical structures of the first bracket each comprise a complementary locking mechanism corresponding to one of the locking mechanisms of the drain pan.

5. The drainage system of claim 1 wherein the one or more rectangular notches of the first bracket comprise:

a first rectangular notch on a first side of one of the vertical structures of the first bracket; and

a second rectangular notch on a second side of the one of the vertical structures of the first bracket.

6. The drainage system of claim 1 wherein the drain pan is configured to have the incline along the bottom surface after installation to create a gravity feed for captured condensate towards a drain.

7. A drainage system comprising:

a first bracket having a horizontal structure and one or more vertical structures, each having a first locking mechanism;

a second bracket having a horizontal structure and one or more vertical structures, each having a second locking mechanism; and

a drain pan having a plurality of third locking mechanisms, each configured to interlock with one of the first locking mechanisms of the vertical structures of the first bracket or with one or more of the second locking mechanisms of the vertical structures of the second bracket, wherein one or more of the third locking mechanisms comprise a first rectangular notch of the drain pan, and wherein one or more of the first locking mechanisms comprise;

a first rectangular notch on a first side of one of the vertical structures of the first bracket; and

a second rectangular notch on a second side of the vertical structure of the first bracket;

wherein a second of the one or more first locking mechanisms comprise a second rectangular notch of the drain pan configured to interlock with one or more rectangular notches of one of the second locking mechanisms of the second bracket, and wherein the rectangular notches of the first bracket and the rectangular notches of the second bracket are configured to create an incline in a bottom surface of the drain pan.

8. The drainage system of claim 7 wherein the horizontal structure of the first bracket comprises a flat surface having a plurality of mounting holes.

9. The drainage system of claim 8 further comprising:

a support structure; and

a plurality of mechanical connectors coupling the support structure to the horizontal structure of the first bracket through the plurality of mounting holes.

10. The drainage system of claim 7 wherein one or more of the first locking mechanisms of the one or more vertical structures of the first bracket comprises a complementary slot locking mechanism corresponding to one of the third locking mechanisms of the drain pan.

11. The drainage system of claim 7 wherein one or more of the second locking mechanisms comprise a first rectangular notch.

12. The drainage system of claim 7 wherein the drain pan is configured to have the incline along the bottom surface after installation to create a gravity feed for captured condensate towards a drain.