US6068048A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Wire harness retainer for spine fin air conditioning coils
Assignee: Trane International Inc
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Filing: 1999-03-09
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Granted: 2000-05-30
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Expires: 2019-03-09
Abstract
Abstract A wire retainer for use in an air conditioning outdoor cabinet which houses a fan and a spine fin heat exchanger coil includes an extension portion, a base portion and a clip portion. The extension portion of the wire retainer is anchor-like and includes fluke-like members that, when inserted into and through spine fin material, lodge securely therein. The base portion of the retainer abuts the spine fin of the heat exchanger coil and positions the clip portion such that wires or a wire bundle running interior of the coil can be guided and secured appropriately so as not to be cut by the fan or buffeted and broken by the relatively high velocity, high volume stream of air that is drawn by the fan through the interior of the air conditioning cabinet and the heat exchanger coil housed therein.
Inventors
- 👤 James Russell Cude
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 22:17
CPC Classifications
F; F28; F28F; F28F1/00; F28F1/10; F28F1/12; F28F1/34; F28F1/36; F28F9/00; F28F9/007; F28F9/013
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 28
Claim 1
Independent Claim
97 words
An air conditioning outdoor unit comprising: a cabinet; a spine fin heat exchanger coil disposed in said cabinet; a wire harness retainer, said wire harness retainer having a base and an extension portion, said retainer defining a retainer space and said extension portion having at least one fluke-like element extending therefrom, said at least one fluke-like element engaging a plurality of the spines of said spine fin heat exchanger coil to secure said retainer to said coil; and a wire bundle, said wire bundle running internal of said heat exchanger coil and passing through said retainer space.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
97 words
An air conditioning outdoor unit comprising: a cabinet; a spine fin heat exchanger coil disposed in said cabinet; a wire harness retainer, said wire harness retainer having a base and an extension portion, said retainer defining a retainer space and said extension portion having at least one fluke-like element extending therefrom, said at least one fluke-like element engaging a plurality of the spines of said spine fin heat exchanger coil to secure said retainer to said coil; and a wire bundle, said wire bundle running internal of said heat exchanger coil and passing through said retainer space.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The air conditioning outdoor cabinet according to claim 1 wherein said base abuts said spine fin heat exchanger coil.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The air conditioning outdoor cabinet according to claim 2 wherein said retainer space and said extension portion are on opposite sides of said base.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
The air conditioning outdoor unit according to claim 3 wherein said retainer has a clip portion, said retainer space being defined by said base and said clip portion.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
The air conditioning outdoor cabinet according to claim 4 wherein said extension portion extends from the face of said base which abuts said spine fin heat exchanger coil.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
The air conditioning outdoor unit according to claim 5 wherein said clip portion has a first end and a second end, said first end being attached to said base.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
The air conditioning outdoor unit according to claim 6 wherein said second end of said clip portion is proximate but unattached to said base.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
34 words
The air conditioning outdoor unit according to claim 7 wherein said second end of said clip portion is resiliently displaceable so as to permit the entry of said wire bundle into said retainer space.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
The air conditioning outdoor unit according to claim 8 wherein said retainer is fabricated from an ultra-violet light resistant engineered material.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
The air conditioning outdoor unit according to claim 9 wherein said engineered material is nylon.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
29 words
The air conditioning outdoor unit according to claim 4 wherein said base includes a standoff portion, said extension portion of said retainer extending from said stand-portion of said base.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
The air conditioning outdoor unit according to claim 4 wherein said retainer has at least two fluke-like elements.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
72 words
The air conditioning outdoor cabinet according to claim 4 wherein said clip portion has first and second resilient arms, said first and second resilient arms cooperating in the definition of said retainer space and the terminal ends of which are in close proximity and are configured to hinder the movement of said wire bundle out of said retainer space, once passing therethrough, other than by the forceful parting of said terminal ends.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
108 words
A wire harness retainer for use with a spine fin heat exchanger coil comprising: a unitary piece having a base and an extension portion, said retainer defining a retainer space, said retainer space being on a first side of said base and said extension portion extending from a second side of said base, said extension portion having at least one fluke-like element extending therefrom, said fluke-like element being angled so as to permit the passage thereof through the spines of said spine fin heat exchanger coil in a first direction but to resist the withdrawal thereof back through said spines in a direction away from said first direction.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
108 words
A wire harness retainer for use with a spine fin heat exchanger coil comprising: a unitary piece having a base and an extension portion, said retainer defining a retainer space, said retainer space being on a first side of said base and said extension portion extending from a second side of said base, said extension portion having at least one fluke-like element extending therefrom, said fluke-like element being angled so as to permit the passage thereof through the spines of said spine fin heat exchanger coil in a first direction but to resist the withdrawal thereof back through said spines in a direction away from said first direction.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
32 words
The wire harness retainer according to claim 14 wherein said base is generally planar in nature and wherein said first and said second sides of said base are generally opposite sides thereof.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
27 words
The wire harness retainer according to claim 15 wherein said retainer has a clip portion, said retainer space being defined by said base and said clip portion.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
28 words
The wire harness retainer according to claim 16 wherein said clip portion has a first end and a second end, said first end being attached to said base.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
30 words
The wire harness retainer according to claim 17 wherein said second end of said clip portion is proximate but unattached to said base so as to from a gap therebetween.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
29 words
The wire harness retainer according to claim 17 wherein said base includes a stand-off portion, said extension portion of said retainer extending from said stand portion of said base.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
24 words
The wire harness retainer according to claim 17 wherein said extension portion has at least two fluke-like elements extending from the terminal end thereof.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
60 words
The wire harness retainer according to claim 18 wherein said second end of said clip portion is resiliently displaceable so as to permit the entry of a wire harness into said retainer space where said wire harness is of a thickness which is greater than the gap that exists between said second end of said clip portion and said base.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
17 words
The wire harness retainer according to claim 18 wherein said retainer is fabricated from an engineered material.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
19 words
The wire harness retainer according to claim 22 wherein said engineered material is resistant to damage by ultra-violet light.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
19 words
The wire harness retainer according to claim 15 wherein said retainer has a clip portion attached to said base.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
26 words
The wire harness retainer according to claim 24 wherein said clip portion has first and second legs, said first and second legs defining said retainer space.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
40 words
The wire harness retainer according to claim 25 wherein the ends of said first and said second legs are configured to inhibit the passage of a wire bundle out of said retainer space once said wire bundle is inserted thereinto.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2003-05-30 | 2003-11-29 | 2004-05-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-05-30 | 2007-11-29 | 2008-05-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-05-30 | 2011-11-29 | 2012-05-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |