A heat pump carriage device

Abstract

A heat pump transportation device 99 comprises a base 1 and a plurality of wheels 2, wherein the base comprises a handle 10 for attaching a flexible strap 4 for pulling the loaded device. The feet 105

Description

Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a heat pump carriage device, in particular a device for aiding carriage of an air-source heat pump to a location; more particularly but not exclusively for installation. Background Many people in many societies across the world are being increasingly encouraged to install electric heat pumps as a sustainable efficient heating solution. Such heat pumps are large and bulky and difficult to transport to and about a property, particularly for example in limited space of domestic installations. Prior Art CN 217 817 008 (LI et al) discloses a mobile heat storage type heat exchange device which comprises a transport cart, a carriage is arranged at the upper end of the transport cart, a door is arranged at the upper end of the carriage, a heat storage mechanism is arranged in an inner cavity of the carriage, and the heat storage mechanism comprises a sealing plate arranged in the inner cavity of the carriage. A solar panel is installed at the upper end of the compartment, a heat pump evaporator is arranged at the lower end of the solar panel, the lower end of the heat pump evaporator is installed at the upper end of the sealing plate, and the heat pump evaporator is connected with a heat pump compressor through a first conveying pipe. The heat storage type heat exchange equipment is convenient to carry, transport and use through the transport cart, heat exchange is carried out through photovoltaic heat storage, heating, water boiling and warm air supply are facilitated, heat exchange can be carried out through the water storage mechanism to improve warm air, and the use effect of the equipment is effectively improved. CN 212 556 315 (LEI et al) discloses a mounting device for an air source heat pump, which comprises a bottom plate, a lifting assembly, a lifting plate, a fixed plate, a baffle plate, a buffer plate, a buffer assembly, a push frame, a pull block, a pull rod, a fixed block, a movable plate, a first ball screw, a first servo motor, a sliding rail, a first ball nut and an open slot, the buffer assembly is composed of a second sliding block, a push plate, a spring, a supporting rod and a limiting block, and the lifting assembly is composed of a second servo motor, a second ball screw, a supporting base, a second ball nut, a first hinge rod, a second hinge rod and a first sliding block. The height of the lifting plate can be adjusted through the lifting assembly, the distance between the two buffer plates can be adjusted through the buffer assembly so as to adapt to air source heat pumps of different sizes, meanwhile, shaking in the transportation process can be buffered, and damage to parts in the air source heat pumps is avoided; and the whole structure is stable and convenient to operate and use. CN 211 519 561 (YANG) discloses a transportation device for heat pump processing, which comprises a bearing plate, sleeves are movably connected to the periphery of the top of the bearing plate through bearings, springs are fixedly connected to the bottoms of inner cavities of the sleeves, and movable rods are fixedly connected to the tops of the springs. According to the utility model, the sleeve is rotated; the directions of the movable rod and the upper pressing plate are adjusted; movable rod is pulled, movable rod pair spring stretching, the movable rod drives the upper pressing plate to move upwards; the heat pump is placed at the top of the bearing plate; the position between the upper pressing plate and the heat pump is adjusted; afterwards, the upper pressing plate is loosened, the spring drives the movable rod and the upper pressing plate to reset; the heat pump is fixed through the pulling force of the spring, then the threaded rod is rotated, the threaded rod drives the side pressing plate to move, the two sides of the heat pump are fixed through the side pressing plate, and the problems that a cart cannot be effectively fixed, accidents such as falling easily occur in the transportation process, dangers are caused, and the heat pump is prone to being damaged are solved. Summary of the Invention According to the present invention there is provided a heat pump carriage device comprising a bed and a plurality of wheels, wherein the bed comprises a means of securement for a flexible strap handle, and the bed comprises a means for receipt and locking in place of one or more of the heat pump feet. In some embodiments of the device the device comprises a recess for receipt of the heat pump feet, such that the heat pump may be securely and stably held in place, with minimal possibility for damage and a great degree of control. It may be envisaged that the bed is relatively low to the ground in use, for a low centre of gravity during transport. In some embodiments of the device the recess comprises a slot for passage of a bolt, which bolt may be used to hold the feet in place. In some embodiments of the device the slot extends along an axis defined between the wheels, for example over an axle, thereby maintaining a manoeuvrable and easy to control centre of gravity. In some embodiments of the device the device comprises one or more lanyard attachment point for a strap or rope for securement of the heat pump. Such may enable the device to be easily pulled in a variety of directions by a user. In some such embodiments of the device the lanyard attachment points located to either wheel-side of the bed so as to allow for a lanyard, strap or rope to limit lateral twisting of the heat pump during movement In some such embodiments of the device the lanyard attachment points are located to rear of the bed, for extra security. In some embodiments of the device the device comprises a loop handle, which may be used as a lanyard attachment point as well as providing a means of carriage of the device itself when not in use, after installation of the heat pump for example. In some such embodiments of the device the loop handle is located to fore of the bed, for a loop of strapping to pass through. In some embodiments of the device the device comprises L shaped brackets extending above the bed, located to rear of the bed, providing stops for the heat pump. In some such embodiments of the device the L shaped brackets are overhanging the rear edge of the bed., and may be displaceable on the bed to fore or rear. A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the Figures in which: Brief Description of Figures Figure 1 shows an isometric view of an embodiment of the device according to the present invention, in use with a heat pump; Figure 2 shows a reverse isometric view of the embodiment of the device as shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 shows an isometric view of the embodiment of the device as shown in Figure 1, without the heat pump; Figure 4 shows a reverse isometric view of the embodiment of the device as shown in Figure 3; Figure 5 shows an exploded isometric view of the embodiment of the device shown in Figure 3; and Figure 6 shows a reverse exploded isometric view of the embodiment of the device shown in Figure 3. Detailed Description of Figures With reference to the figures there is shown an embodiment of a heat pump carriage 99 device generally comprising a bed 1 and two wheels 2, wherein the bed comprises a means of securement for a flexible strap handle 4, and the bed comprises a means for receipt and locking in place of one or more of the heat pump feet. In particular reference to the embodiment of the device shown in Figure 1, the embodiment comprises an elongated rectangular bed 1, which extends between two wheels 2 each having pneumatic tyres. The wheels are joined by an axle 3 which passes below the bed 1. The bed is a flat rectangular part with a shallow depth, wherein the front edge of the bed has a handle 10 which may be used to transport the device when the device is not in use. The bed has a lateral rectangular recess 15 into which the feet 105 of the heat pump 100 are placed in use. The recess is located over the wheels, such that the weight of the heat pump is located centrally and enabled to rotate about an axis defined by the wheels. The recess has a slot 16 through which a perforated bolt 61 is placed and a resilient pin 79 secured through the perforation, so as to keep the feet in place, so that the heat pump can be secured for transport The handle is used to pass a strap 4 for pulling the loaded device. The strap may comprise a ratchet locking buckle. The bed has two bracket ends 5 which extend above the wheels so as to provide splayed locations which each comprise two hooks 7 on an upper face of the bracket. These hooks provide lanyard attachment points for a further strap 6 to be passed over the heat pump 100 and further secure the heat pump in place for transport. The two lanyard attachment points are located to either wheel-side of the bed so as to limit lateral twisting, and comprise U shaped brackets 8, D rings 18 and S hooks 7, all in stainless steel. The bed has an elongated resiliently deformable pad 81 on which the heat pump is in contact with the bed to provide a resilient contact with the bed and ensure minimal damage is caused when the heat pump is in place. The bed further comprises two L shaped brackets 9 formed in steel, which provide a back stop for the heat pump. These L shaped brackets are adjustable in location, having butterfly head bolts (not shown) into the bed and wherein the L shaped brackets have a plurality of holes for receipt of the bolt at a plurality of positions overhanging the bed. The L shaped brackets are attached below the bed, so as to prevent interference with the bottom of the head pump. The axle 3 below the bed is located in a cylindrical tube 33 which is secured by a semicircular bracket 8 and the axle has two bearings 32 and endmost nuts 31 securement. The rear edge of the bed further provides two loop hooks 11. In this way the heat pump may be secured onto the bed and the embodiment of the device, and held in place in a plurality of locations, so as to ensure no chance of slippage or movement during use. Additionally or alternatively the straps provide a means of pulling the loaded device without providing stress on the heat pump, distributing the forces effectively. The bed further includes two hooks on a rear face so as to add further straps or ropes to further consolidate the securement. The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of protection as defined by the claims.

Claims

1. A heat pump carriage device for transporting a heat pump having one or more heat pump feet, the heat pump carriage device comprising a bed and exactly 5 two wheels,wherein the bed is an elongated rectangular bed disposed between the wheels,wherein the wheels have pneumatic tyres and are joined by an axle that passes below the bed,10 wherein the bed comprises a recess for receipt and locking in place ofthe one or more heat pump feet,wherein the heat pump carriage device further comprises two bracket ends each extending over a respective one of the two wheels, wherein a lanyard attachment point is provided on each of the bracket ends, and15 wherein the heat pump carriage device further comprises a handlelocated at a fore side of the bed for providing a means of carrying the heat pump carriage device itself when not in use and also for passing a flexible strap CM therethrough for securing the heat pump when in use.20 2. A heat pump carriage device according to claim 1, wherein the recesscomprises a slot for passage of a bolt.

3. A heat pump carriage device according to claim 2, wherein the slot extends along an axis defined between the wheels.

254. A heat pump carriage device according to claim 1, further comprising two loop hooks located at a rear side of the bed.

5. A heat pump carriage device according to any preceding claim, further 30 comprising L shaped brackets extending above the bed, located to rear of thebed.

6. A heat pump carriage device according to claim 5, wherein the L shaped brackets are overhanging the rear edge of the bed.

357. A heat pump carriage device according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the L shaped brackets are displaceable on the bed to fore or rear.

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