Retaining panel for radiant thermal transfer and method

Abstract

A panel, for retaining a heating or cooling tube relative to a substrate, has a standoff extending from a primary flap, wherein the standoff includes a tube contacting surface. A lateral fold extends from the standoff and includes a jaw having a tube retaining surface, wherein the tube contacting surface and the tube retaining surface are located to define a tube retaining channel in a closed position of the jaw. The panel can be formed of a single piece of sheet metal, wherein the sheet metal and configuration of the panel bias the jaw to the closed position.

1 . A radiant thermal transfer panel for releasably retaining a tube, the panel comprising:
 (a) a primary flap;   (b) a standoff having a first leg extending from the primary flap and a second leg defining a tube contacting surface; and   (c) a lateral fold extending from the second leg, the lateral fold including a lateral flap connected to the second leg and a jaw connected to the lateral flap, the jaw extending toward the standoff and having a tube retaining surface, the tube retaining surface and the tube contacting surface forming a tube retaining channel.   
     
     
         2 . The radiant thermal transfer panel of  claim 1 , wherein the jaw includes a lever section, the lever section size to overlay a portion the standoff. 
     
     
         3 . The radiant thermal transfer panel of  claim 1 , wherein the jaw is biased to a closed position. 
     
     
         4 . The radiant thermal transfer panel of  claim 1 , wherein lateral flap is connected to the jaw by a resilient bend. 
     
     
         5 . The radiant thermal transfer panel of  claim 1 , wherein the primary flap, the standoff and the lateral fold are integral. 
     
     
         6 . The radiant thermal transfer panel of  claim 1 , wherein the primary flap, the standoff and the lateral fold are a single piece of sheet metal. 
     
     
         7 . The radiant thermal transfer panel of  claim 1 , wherein the lateral flap is connected to the jaw by a resilient bend and the jaw is moveable between a closed position and an open position, and the resilient bend biasing the jaw to the closed position. 
     
     
         8 . The radiant thermal transfer panel of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 (a) a second standoff having a third leg extending from the primary flap and a fourth leg defining a second tube contacting surface; and   (b) a second lateral fold extending from the fourth leg, the second lateral fold including a second lateral flap connected to the fourth leg and a second jaw connected to the second lateral flap, the second jaw extending toward the second standoff and having a second tube retaining surface, the second tube retaining surface and the second tube contacting surface forming a second tube retaining channel.   
     
     
         9 . The radiant thermal transfer panel of  claim 8 , wherein the second jaw includes a second lever portion, the second lever portion overlaying the second standoff and a second portion of the primary flap. 
     
     
         10 . The radiant thermal transfer panel of  claim 8 , wherein the first tube retaining channel and the second tube retaining channel are parallel. 
     
     
         11 . The radiant thermal transfer panel of  claim 8 , wherein the first lateral fold terminates at a first lateral edge and the second lateral fold terminates at a second lateral edge, the first lateral edge and the second lateral edge being equidistant along a longitudinal dimension of the panel. 
     
     
         12 . The radiant thermal transfer panel of  claim 1 , wherein the primary flap is planar and the lateral flap is planar. 
     
     
         13 . The radiant thermal transfer panel of  claim 1 , wherein a portion of the jaw overlays a portion of the primary flap. 
     
     
         14 . The radiant thermal transfer panel of  claim 1 , wherein the jaw is moveable between a closed position and an open position. 
     
     
         15 . The radiant thermal transfer panel of  claim 1 , wherein the tube retaining surface is concave and the tube contacting surface is concave. 
     
     
         16 . A method of locating a length of tube relative to a substrate to be heated, the method comprising:
 (a) affixing a retaining panel relative to a substrate, the retaining panel having:
 (i) a primary flap; 
 (ii) a standoff having a first leg extending from the primary flap and a second leg defining a tube contacting surface; and 
 (iii) a lateral fold extending from the second leg, the lateral fold including a lateral flap connected to the second leg and a jaw connected to the lateral flap, the jaw extending toward the standoff and having a tube retaining surface to form a retaining channel with the tube contacting surface; 
   (b) moving the jaw from a closed position to an open position; and   (c) disposing a length of tube within the retaining channel.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising moving the jaw from the open position to the closed position. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising biasing the jaw to a closed position. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising forming the primary flap, the standoff and the lateral fold are a single piece of sheet metal. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising forming the jaw to include a lever section, the lever section overlaying the standoff.