Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
The present invention relates to the field of lighting and heating including air conditioning and ventilation, more specifically, a ducting arrangement.
The air flow director is a structure that is configured for use with an HVAC system. The air flow director is configured for use with a grille associated with the HVAC system. Specifically, the air flow director is a device that attaches to the grille for the purpose of changing the direction of the flow of air that is discharged through the grille. The air flow director attaches directly to the grille. The air flow director changes the direction of the air flow through the grille in a traverse direction and a lateral direction. The traverse angle of the deflection of the air flow is adjustable. The lateral angle of the deflection of the air flow is adjustable. The air flow director can be rotated around both a lateral axis of rotation and a traverse axis of rotation without being disconnected from the grille.
These together with additional objects, features and advantages of the air flow director will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the following detailed description of the presently preferred, but nonetheless illustrative, embodiments when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
In this respect, before explaining the current embodiments of the air flow director in detail, it is to be understood that the air flow director is not limited in its applications to the details of construction and arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustration. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the concept of this disclosure may be readily utilized as a basis for the design of other structures, methods, and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the air flow director.
It is therefore important that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent construction insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the air flow director. It is also to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for purposes of description and should not be regarded as limiting.
The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate an embodiment of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention. They are meant to be exemplary illustrations provided to enable persons skilled in the art to practice the disclosure and are not intended to limit the scope of the appended claims.
The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the described embodiments of the application and uses of the described embodiments. As used herein, the word “exemplary” or “illustrative” means “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any implementation described herein as “exemplary” or “illustrative” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other implementations. All of the implementations described below are exemplary implementations provided to enable persons skilled in the art to practice the disclosure and are not intended to limit the scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any expressed or implied theory presented in the preceding technical field, background, brief summary or the following detailed description.
Detailed reference will now be made to one or more potential embodiments of the disclosure, which are illustrated in
The air flow director 100 (hereinafter invention) is a structure that is configured for use with an HVAC system. The invention 100 is configured for use with a grille 161 associated with the HVAC system. The grille 161 is a commercially available HVAC component that is commonly referred to as a grille 161 or a register. The grille 161 is an openwork barrier that is place upon a vent. Specifically, the invention 100 is a device that attaches to the grille 161 for the purpose of changing the direction of the flow of air that is discharged through the grille 161. The invention 100 attaches directly to the grille 161. The invention 100 changes the direction of the air flow through the grille 161 in a traverse direction and a lateral direction.
The invention 100 comprises a lateral rotation 121 around a lateral axis of rotation 122 and a traverse rotation 123 around a traverse axis of rotation 124. The lateral rotation 121 does not require the invention 100 to be disconnected from the grille 161. The traverse rotation 123 does not require the invention 100 to be disconnected from the grille 161. The rotation of the invention 100 around the lateral axis of rotation 122 adjusts a lateral deflection angle 153 of the air flow. The rotation of the invention 100 around the traverse axis of rotation 124 adjusts a traverse deflection angle 150 of the air flow. The invention 100 comprises a first triangular panel 101, a second triangular panel 102, a deflection panel 103, and a fastener 104. The first triangular panel 101 and the second triangular panel 102, are attached to the deflection panel 103. The fastener 104 attaches the deflection panel 103 to the grille 161.
Within this disclosure, a wall 163 refers to a vertical surface within which the grille 161 has been installed. It is explicitly acknowledged that a grille 161 can be used with a floor-mounted vent. However, the specification and claims of this disclosure will hereinafter implicitly assume that the grille 161 is mounted in a vertical wall 163. This assumption is made for the purposes of simplicity and for clarity of exposition of the disclosure is not intended to limit the scope of the appended claims. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the innovations described in this disclosure can be readily modified to accommodate a grille 161 mounted in a horizontal surface, such as a floor or a ceiling with a minimum of modification and experimentation.
Within this disclosure, a bar 164 refers to shaft structures that are used to form the openwork of the grille 161.
Within this disclosure, an air flow vector 162 is a hypothetical vector that describes the movement of air flow out of the invention 100. Specifically the air flow vector 162 describes the direction of movement of the center mass of the airflow discharged from the invention 100. The air flow vector 162 is further defined with the traverse deflection angle 150 and the lateral deflection angle 153. The traverse deflection angle 150 is defined as the cant between the surface of the wall 163 and the air flow vector 162. The lateral deflection angle 153 is defined as the cant between the geometric projection of the air flow vector 162 on the wall 163 and a hypothetical reference line 155, generally taken to be a vertical line, formed within the plane of the wall 163 that passes through the center of the grille 161. The air flow vector 162, the traverse deflection angle 150 and the lateral deflection angle 153 are used as a directional reference throughout this disclosure. The invention 100 provides for the adjustment of the traverse deflection angle 150 and the lateral deflection angle 153 such that the air flow vector 162 of the airflow discharged from the invention 100 can be controlled.
The first triangular panel 101 is a solid plate structure that is formed in the shape of a scalene triangle. The second triangular panel 102 is a solid plate structure that is formed in the shape of a scalene triangle. The first triangular panel 101 and the second triangular panel 102 have identical form factors. The first triangular panel 101 is further defined with a first edge 131, a second edge 132, and a third edge 133. The second triangular panel 102 is further defined with a fourth edge 134, a fifth edge 135, and a sixth edge 136. The first triangular panel 101 is identical to the second triangular panel 102.
The first triangular panel 101 and the second triangular panel 102 are both further defined with a primary traverse deflection angle 151, a secondary traverse deflection angle 152, and a pivot angle 154.
The primary traverse deflection angle 151 of the first triangular panel 101 is the angle formed by the intersection of the second edge 132 and the third edge 133 of the first triangular panel 101. The primary transverse deflection angle 151 of the second triangular panel 102 is the angle formed by the intersection of the fifth edge 135 and the sixth edge 136 of the second triangular panel 102.
The secondary traverse deflection angle 152 of the first triangular panel 101 is the angle formed by the intersection of the first edge 131 and the third edge 133 of the first triangular panel 101. The secondary traverse deflection angle 152 of the second triangular panel 102 is the angle formed by the intersection of the fourth edge 134 and the sixth edge 136 of the second triangular panel 102.
The pivot angle 154 of the first triangular panel 101 is the angle formed by the intersection of the first edge 131 and the second edge 132 of the first triangular panel 101. The pivot angle 154 of the second triangular panel 102 is the angle formed by the intersection of the fourth edge 134 and the fifth edge 135 of the second triangular panel 102.
The deflection panel 103 is a solid plate structure that is formed in the shape of a rectangular block. The deflection panel 103 is further defined with a seventh edge 137, an eighth edge 138, a ninth edge 139, and a tenth edge 140.
The fastener 104 is a device that attaches the invention 100 to the grille 161. The fastener 104 comprises a spring 110, a hook 113, and a flange 114. The spring 110 is further defined with a first end 111 and a second end 112.
The spring 110 is a readily and commercially available tension spring that is formed in the shape of a tube. The span of the spring 115 is selected such that the spring 110 is under tension when the invention 100 is attached to the grille 161. The span of the spring 115 refers to the distance between the first end 111 of the spring 110 and the second end 112 of the spring 110. A measurement of the span of the spring 115 is taken when: 1) the spring 110 is in its relaxed shape; and, 2) the center axis of the spring 110 forms a straight line. In the first potential embodiment of the disclosure, the spring 110 is a bungee cord.
The hook 113 is a readily and commercially hardware item that attaches the first end 111 of the spring 110 to the grille 161. The flange 114 is a readily and commercially hardware item that attaches the second end 112 of the spring 110 to the deflection panel 103.
The third edge 133 of the first triangular panel 101 attaches to the tenth edge 140 of the deflection panel 103. The sixth edge 136 of the second triangular panel 102 attaches to the eighth edge 138 of the deflection panel 103. The flange 114 attaches the second end 112 of the spring 110 to the deflection panel 103. The hook 113 attaches to the first end 111 of the spring 110.
The first triangular panel 101 attaches to the deflection panel 103 such that the first triangular panel 101 forms a right angle with the deflection panel 103. The second triangular panel 102 attaches to the deflection panel 103 such that the second triangular panel 102 forms a right angle with the deflection panel 103. The second triangular panel 102 is parallel to the first triangular panel 101 and projects away from the deflection panel 103 in the same direction as the first triangular panel 101.
The invention 100 attaches to the grille 161 using an arrangement selected from the group consisting of a first arrangement and a second arrangement.
In the first arrangement, the second edge 132, the fifth edge 135, and the ninth edge 139 are placed flush against the wall 163. The invention 100 attaches to the grille 161 using the hook 113 attached to the first end 111 of the spring 110. When the hook 113 is hooked around a bar 164 of the grille 161, the spring 110 is placed under tension. The counter force that prevents the spring 110 from returning to its relaxed state is transmitted through the invention 100 to the second edge 132, the fifth edge 135, and the ninth edge 139 such that the second edge 132, the fifth edge 135, and the ninth edge 139 are held flush against the wall 163. The air flowing through the grille 161 deflects against the deflection panel 103 before exiting the invention 100 in the direction of the air flow vector 162. Using the first arrangement, the traverse deflection angle 150 formed by this deflection is equal to the primary traverse deflection angle 151 of both the first triangular panel 101 and the second triangular panel 102.
In the second arrangement, the first edge 131, the fourth edge 134, and the seventh edge 137 are placed flush against the wall 163. The invention 100 attaches to the grille 161 using the hook 113 attached to the first end 111 of the spring 110. When the hook 113 is hooked around a bar 164 of the grille 161, the spring 110 is placed under tension. The counter force that prevents the spring 110 from returning to its relaxed state is transmitted through the invention 100 to the first edge 131, the fourth edge 134, and the seventh edge 137 such that the first edge 131, the fourth edge 134, and the seventh edge 137 are held flush against the wall 163. The air flowing through the grille 161 deflects against the deflection panel 103 before exiting the invention 100 in the direction of the air flow vector 162. Using the second arrangement, the traverse deflection angle 150 formed by this deflection is equal to the secondary traverse deflection angle 152 of both the first triangular panel 101 and the second triangular panel 102.
In both the first arrangement and the second arrangement, the apex of the pivot angle 154 of the first triangular panel 101 and the apex of the pivot angle 154 of the second triangular panel 102 will be in contact with the wall 163.
The traverse deflection angle 150 is adjusted by changing between the first arrangement and the second arrangement of attaching the invention 100 to the grille 161. The change between the first arrangement and the second arrangement does not require that the hook 113 be unattached from the grille 161.
To switch between the first arrangement and the second arrangement requires a traverse rotation 123 of the invention 100 around the traverse axis of rotation 124. The traverse rotation 123 refers to a rotation of the invention 100 within a plane of rotation that is: 1) perpendicular to the plane of rotation of the lateral rotation 121; and, 2) that contains the hypothetical reference line 155 that is used to determine the lateral deflection angle 153. The traverse axis of rotation 124 refers to the axis of rotation around which a traverse rotation 123 of the invention 100 is made. The traverse axis of rotation 124 is a line that is formed between the apex of the pivot angle 154 of the first triangular panel 101 and the apex of the pivot angle 154 of the second triangular panel 102. Once the rotation is complete, the invention 100 is placed in its final position by sliding the invention 100 along the wall 163.
The lateral deflection angle 153 is adjusted through a lateral rotation 121 of the invention 100 around the lateral axis of rotation 122 after the invention 100 has been attached to the grille 161 and slid into position. The term lateral rotation 121 refers to a rotation of the invention 100 within a plane of rotation that is parallel to or aligned with the plane formed by the wall 163. The lateral axis of rotation 122 refers to the axis of rotation around which a lateral rotation 121 of the invention 100 is made. The lateral axis of rotation 122 is a line that projects perpendicularly away from the wall 163. The lateral axis of rotation 122 is aligned with the center axis of the spring 110. It is expected that the lateral rotation 121 of the invention 100 around the lateral axis of rotation 122 will cause a torque within the spring 110. However, the lateral rotation 121 of the invention 100 does not require that the hook 113 be unattached from the grille 161.
The following definitions were used in this disclosure:
Align: As used in this disclosure, align refers to an arrangement of objects that are: 1) arranged in a straight line; or, 2) arranged to give a directional sense of a plurality of parallel lines.
Apex: As used in this disclosure, an apex is the point of an object that has the greatest height or altitude relative to a given reference.
Center of rotation: As used in this disclosure, the center of rotation is the point of a rotating plane that does not move with the rotation of the plane. A line within a rotating three-dimensional object that does not move with the rotation of the object is referred to as an axis of rotation.
Bungee: As used in this disclosure, the term bungee refers to an elastic cord or a mesh of elastic cords.
Cant: As used in this disclosure, a cant is an angular deviation from one or more reference planes such as a vertical plane or a horizontal plane.
Center: As used in this disclosure, a center is a point that is: 1) the point within a circle that is equidistant from all the points of the circumference; 2) the point within a regular polygon that is equidistant from all the vertices of the regular polygon; 3) the point on a line that is equidistant from the ends of the line; 4) the point, pivot, or axis around which something revolves; or, 5) the centroid or first moment of an area or structure. In cases where the appropriate definition or definitions are not obvious, the fifth option should be used in interpreting the specification.
Duct: As used in this disclosure, a duct is a tube, pipe, canal or channel through which air is conducted or conveyed.
Ductwork: As used in this disclosure, ductwork is a network of ducts.
Form Factor: As used in this disclosure, the term form factor refers to the size and shape of an object.
Elastic: As used in this disclosure, an elastic is a material or object that deforms when a force is applied to it and that is able to return to its original shape after the force is removed. A material that exhibits these qualities is also referred to as an elastomeric material.
Flange: As used in this disclosure, a flange is a protruding rib, edge, or collar that is used to hold an object in place or to attach a first object to a second object.
Grille: As used in this disclosure, a grille is a cover for a vent of an HVAC system. The grille comprises a barrier formed of bars or wires that allow for the passage of air through the grille while preventing solid items from passing through the grille.
Hook: As used in this disclosure, a hook is an object that is curved or bent at an angle such that items can be hung on or caught by the object.
Horizontal: As used in this disclosure, horizontal is a directional term that refers to a direction that is either: 1) parallel to the horizon; 2) perpendicular to the local force of gravity, or, 3) parallel to a supporting surface. In cases where the appropriate definition or definitions are not obvious, the second option should be used in interpreting the specification. Unless specifically noted in this disclosure, the horizontal direction is always perpendicular to the vertical direction.
HVAC: As used in this disclosure, HVAC is an acronym for Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning and is a general term that refers to the air handling technology used within buildings.
Plate: As used in this disclosure, a plate is a smooth, flat and semi-rigid or rigid structure that has at least one dimension that: 1) is of uniform thickness; and 2) that appears thin relative to the other dimensions of the object.
Relaxed Shape: As used in this disclosure, a structure is considered to be in its relaxed state when no shear, strain, or torsional forces are being applied to the structure.
Scalene: As used in this disclosure, scalene is an adjective that describes a triangle that is formed from edges of three different lengths and with no two angles that are equal.
Spring: As used in this disclosure, a spring is a device that is used to store mechanical energy. This mechanical energy will often be stored by: 1) deforming an elastomeric material that is used to make the device; 2) the application of a torque to a rigid structure; or 3) a combination of the previous two items.
Tension Spring: As used in this disclosure, a tension spring is a spring that resists forces attempting to pull the spring in the direction of the center axis of the spring. The tension spring will return to its original position when the pulling force is removed. Extension coil springs and bungee cords are common examples of a tension spring.
Vent: As used in this disclosure, a vent is an opening in the ductwork that allows air to escape.
Vertical: As used in this disclosure, vertical refers to a direction that is either: 1) perpendicular to the horizontal direction; 2) parallel to the local force of gravity; or, 3) when referring to an individual object the direction from the designated top of the individual object to the designated bottom of the individual object. In cases where the appropriate definition or definitions are not obvious, the second option should be used in interpreting the specification. Unless specifically noted in this disclosure, the vertical direction is always perpendicular to the horizontal direction.
With respect to the above description, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationship for the various components of the invention described above and in
It shall be noted that those skilled in the art will readily recognize numerous adaptations and modifications which can be made to the various embodiments of the present invention which will result in an improved invention, yet all of which will fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined in the following claims. Accordingly, the invention is to be limited only by the scope of the following claims and their equivalents.
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2011144896 | Nov 2011 | WO |