Curb adapter

{
  "publication_number": "US9625175B2",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "B2",
  "title": "Curb adapter",
  "abstract": "Provided is a curb adapter, comprising a first wall along a first direction of extension; a second wall along a second direction of extension that is different from the first direction of extension; and a corner support mechanism coupled at a corner that includes an edge of the first wall and an edge of the second wall. The corner support mechanism includes at least one fastener coupled to the edge of the first wall and at least one fastener coupled to the edge of the second wall.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A curb adapter, comprising: a first wall along a first direction of extension; a second wall along a second direction of extension that is different from the first direction of extension, wherein the first and second walls of the curb adapter each includes a curb skirt that is constructed and arranged to extend over a presently installed roof curb; a gap between the first wall and the second wall providing for dimension differences or a misalignment between the first wall and the second wall; a corner support mechanism positioned over the gap, the corner support mechanism coupled at a corner that includes the gap, an edge of the first wall, and an edge of the second wall, the corner support mechanism including at least one fastener coupled to the edge of the first wall and at least one fastener coupled to the edge of the second wall, the corner support mechanism extending between the curb skirt and the corner; and a supply transition region and a return transition region, each having a boundary that includes at least one of the first and second walls, the supply transition region and the return transition region each providing a flow path between the presently installed roof curb and a mechanical unit on an opposite side of the curb adapter as the presently installed roof.",
    "2. The curb adapter of claim 1, wherein the first direction of extension is perpendicular to the second direction of extension.",
    "3. The curb adapter of claim 1, wherein the fastener includes a rivet, a screw, a glued joint or seam, or a combination thereof.",
    "4. The curb adapter of claim 1, further comprising a fluid-tight seal positioned at the corner.",
    "5. The curb adapter of claim 1, wherein an outermost edge at the edge of the first wall and an outermost edge at the edge of the second wall are separate from each other such that the corner includes a gap between the first wall and the second wall, and wherein the corner support mechanism is positioned over the gap and maintains the gap between the first wall and the second wall.",
    "6. The curb adapter of claim 1, further comprising a relief cut at the corner of the first wall and the second wall.",
    "7. The curb adapter of claim 1, further comprising: a third wall and a fourth wall coupled the first wall and the second wall, respectively; an interior region having a boundary comprising the first through fourth walls; and a baffle at the interior region; the interior region comprising at least one of the supply transition region and the return transition region each having a boundary that includes the baffle and at least one of the first through fourth walls.",
    "8. The curb adapter of claim 7, wherein the baffle includes a horizontal baffle and a vertical baffle.",
    "9. The curb adapter of claim 8, wherein the vertical baffle is coupled to a midsection of the horizontal baffle, and wherein the supply transition region and the return transition region each has a perimeter that includes the horizontal baffle, the vertical baffle and the at least one of the first wall and the second wall.",
    "10. The curb adapter of claim 9, wherein the horizontal baffle and the vertical baffle each includes a finger locking mechanism, and wherein the finger locking mechanism of the horizontal baffle is coupled to the finger locking mechanism of the vertical baffle at the midsection of the horizontal baffle.",
    "11. The curb adapter of claim 8, wherein the vertical baffle includes a rolled radius edge for directing an air flow through the curb adapter.",
    "12. The curb adapter of claim 7, wherein the baffle includes a chamfered metal tab constructed and arranged for coupling with a metal component of the curb adapter.",
    "13. The curb adapter of claim 12, wherein the metal component is at least one of a rail, the first wall, and the second wall.",
    "14. The curb adapter of claim 7, wherein the baffle includes a plurality fold-over tabs that are removably coupled to the least one of the first wall and the second wall.",
    "15. The curb adapter of claim 1, further comprising a hemmed metal lifting lug coupled to at least one of the first wall and the second wall, the lifting lug constructed and arranged for receiving a hook or other mechanical device that applies a force to the lifting lug to move the curb adapter to a location.",
    "16. The curb adapter of claim 1, further comprising: a top boundary region that includes a top surface of the first and second walls; and a bottom boundary region that includes a bottom surface of the first and second walls, the bottom boundary region having an area that is less than or greater than an area of the top boundary region, the curb skirts of the first and second walls forming a perimeter at the bottom boundary region.",
    "17. A curb adapter, comprising: a first wall along a first direction of extension; a second wall along a second direction of extension that is different from the first direction of extension; a gap between the first wall and the second wall; a corner support mechanism positioned over the gap, the corner support mechanism coupled at a corner that includes the gap, an edge of the first wall, and an edge of the second wall, the corner support mechanism including at least one fastener coupled to the edge of the first wall and at least one fastener coupled to the edge of the second wall, the corner support mechanism extending between the curb skirt and the corner; a top boundary region that includes a top surface of the first and second walls; a bottom boundary region that includes a bottom surface of the first and second walls, the bottom boundary region having an area that is less than or greater than an area of the top boundary region, the bottom boundary region constructed and arranged to communicate with a roof curb; and a supply transition region and a return transition region, each having a boundary that includes at least one of the first and second walls, the supply transition region and the return transition region each providing a flow path between the roof curb and a mechanical unit on an opposite side of the curb adapter as the presently installed roof.",
    "18. The curb adapter of claim 1, wherein the first wall, second wall, and corner support mechanism each includes an alignment hole, and wherein a dimension of the gap is determined by a distance of a combination of the alignment holes of the first wall, second wall, and corner support mechanism from each other."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "The present inventive concepts generally relate to rooftop air conditioning, and more particularly, to curb adapters for rooftop packaged air conditioning units.\n\nA roof curb is well-known for including a raised frame that is installed on a roof surface to elevate and mount mechanical equipment, such as a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) units. A roof curb adapter can be installed to eliminate the need for the time-consuming process of removing a roof curb during an HVAC unit replacement.\n\nIn accordance with an aspect, provided is a curb adapter comprising a first wall along a first direction of extension; a second wall along a second direction of extension that is different from the first direction of extension; and a corner support mechanism coupled at a corner that includes an edge of the first wall and an edge of the second wall. The corner support mechanism includes at least one fastener coupled to the edge of the first wall and at least one fastener coupled to the edge of the second wall.\n\nIn some embodiments, the first direction of extension is perpendicular to the second direction of extension.\n\nIn some embodiments, the fastener includes a rivet, a screw, a glued joint or seam, or a combination thereof.\n\nIn some embodiments, the curb adapter further comprises a gap between the first wall and the second wall, the corner support mechanism positioned at the gap.",
  "cpc": [
    "F24F 13/32",
    "E04D 13/00",
    "F24F 13/081"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "E04D 13/00",
    "F24F 13/32",
    "F24F 13/08"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "COX ENGINEERING Co"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "Jon Desmond",
    "Brett O'Brien",
    "Brennan Richard",
    "Harold O. Seymour",
    "Dave Fostello"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2015-08-13",
  "publication_date": "2017-04-18",
  "grant_date": "2017-04-18",
  "priority_date": "2013-07-29",
  "application_number": "US-201514825573-A",
  "family_id": "52389273",
  "cited_by_count": 3,
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}