Under Cabinet Ventilation System

Abstract

A ventilation system comprising a plenum below the lower shelf of a cabinet combined with ductwork and special fan applications designed to evacuate air from the interior to the exterior of a building. The system is designed to eliminate issues normally encountered when retrofitting a ventilation system into an existing building.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to ventilation systems such as those typically installed in kitchens and bathrooms which are designed to exhaust air from inside a building to the outside through an opening in a wall or roof of the building. Due to the installation requirements, these types of ventilation systems are typically included when the building is being constructed. Retrofit installations require a considerable amount of reconstruction in order to create the required opening, install the fan and switches and bring electric service to the unit. The present invention is designed to eliminate many of these installation problems.

Typical ventilation systems include a housing positioned within a building structure, such as an aperture in a wall or ceiling. The housing is generally secured in the aperture using a number of conventional techniques, such as by being attached to wall or ceiling joists, or by being attached to other structures within the wall or ceiling. As such, conventional ventilation systems can be relatively difficult and time consuming to retrofit into an existing structure due to the installation procedure required. Typically, these assemblies require additional parts that require alignment and attachment to the housing, and offer limited ability to be re-configured for clearance or maneuverability within pre-existing building construction.

The primary objective of the present invention is to provide a method for retrofitting a ventilation system in a building using a relatively simple and cost effective procedure, the method having advantages not taught in the prior art. Another objective of the present invention is to provide a ventilation means by directing air from the interior of the building to the combustion air inlet pipe of a high-efficiency condensing furnace. In this embodiment, the exhaust fan of the furnace will provide air evacuation means.

DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART

The prior art teaches several techniques for removing air from the interior of a building through use of a fan powered ventilation system. Powered ventilation systems can be included in kitchens and baths to remove odors and humidity. Other styles of ventilation systems including hooded units are installed above cooking stoves and the like and are used to remove smoke and odors from the kitchen.

Ventilation system installations, as described in the prior art, involve positioning an opening in the exterior wall of a building or in a ceiling of a room, with ductwork installed to direct interior air to the outside of the building. Typically a powered fan is included in the vent to move the interior air to the outside. As such, all typical ventilation systems include installation techniques which require cutting a hole in an exterior wall, installation of the powered vent into the wall or in a more typical installation, cutting and mounting the powered fan into the ceiling of the room and installing ductwork to move interior air to the outside of the building. Additional installation requirements include wiring for electric service and the corresponding switches, an action which typically involves cutting into the wall or ceiling and routing electric wiring to operate the fan. As such, typical retrofit ventilation system installations can be complicated and costly.

Several types of ventilation systems have been developed to provide air exchange between the inside and the outside of a building. Venting system U.S. Pat. No. 4,201,121 utilizes the natural venting action of a soffit vent in coordination with a ceiling vent coupled to a channel below the roof of a structure which terminates in a ridge vent at the peak of the roof. Interior air is pulled upward by the draft created in a channel running below the roof. Another venting system (U.S. Pat. No. 6,077,159 includes passive venting for a building by including an air permeable member in an existing roof structure. Ventilation system application US 2015/0285524 describes a fan powered air exchange unit which measures outside air temp and humidity to determine operation.

More closely related in direct action of removing air from kitchens and baths are U.S. Pat. Nos. 9,004,723 and 9,022,622. Both systems are designed to be included in the ceiling of a room and most likely installed during building construction. US Pat. Application 2006/0073008 provides a solution to the problem of installing a retro-fit fan housing by allowing replacement of the motor/fan portion from the housing with another module without requiring removal of the entire housing. This provision addresses the cost and reconstruction problems encountered when replacing the entire housing in a finished kitchen or bath.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention describes a technique for installing a ventilation system in a manner that requires minimum installation requirements while providing air removal in the most appropriate places, that being the kitchen and bathroom. The present invention provides air venting from an area close to the floor of a building through utilization and inclusion of an area that is typically unused in a contemporary home. The purpose of the invention is to minimize the installation complexity and allow the electrical components required to be simplified or eliminated.

The invention comprises a ventilation system designed to evacuate the area best described as being the cavity below the lower shelf of a typical pre-made kitchen or bathroom cabinet, the lower shelf being positioned approximately 4 to 5 inches off of the actual floor of the building, and further described as being the cavity below the lower shelf but above the actual floor and bordered by the four sides that represent the vertical sidewalls of the cabinet. This cavity or ‘plenum’ is evacuated by a ventilation system which, in one embodiment, is created by cutting an opening or drilling a hole in the floor of the building and thereby entering the inside of the plenum from below. The ductwork would then be mounted to the bottom surface of the floor of the building. The ventilation system comprises ductwork inserted through the hole created in the floor of the building, the ductwork extending into the plenum created below the lower shelf of the cabinet and above the floor of the building. In this embodiment, the ductwork will extend upward against and through the opening created in the floor of the building into the plenum from the basement or crawlspace. In so doing, the invention will allow easy installation and placement of the ventilation ductwork, in addition to the fan, switch and electric power service if required. Most installation procedures will be conducted on the underside of the floor and accessed from the basement or crawlspace. Electrical power supply and switches, if required, would be installed in a typical manner although most of the elements will be easy to access from the basement or under the cabinet. It should be noted that installation can be accomplished with a variety of fan, switch and ductwork layouts without deviating from the scope of the invention. Radio controlled or electronic switches could be incorporated to eliminate wall or ceiling reconstruction and to simplify electric power supply issues. Another provision of the ventilation system will be to provide the ability to evacuate air from an island type cabinet by allowing air removal from below, through the floor of the building.

In a preferred embodiment, the air evacuated from the plenum will be directed to the air intake pipe for the combustion burner of a high-efficiency condensing furnace and will thereby use the fan of the furnace combustion burner to extract air from the plenum. High efficiency furnaces typically include two pipes made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) material which are installed in the outside wall of the building. In normal operation, the furnace will draw outside air into the furnace combustion chamber through a first pipe and expel the exhaust from the combustion chamber to the outside of the building through a second pipe.

The present ventilation system would use the furnace combustion fan to pull air from the plenum into the furnace through the first pipe and exhaust the air to the outside through the second pipe when the furnace is operating. A proprietary 2 way valve would be incorporated in the furnace combustion intake pipe to direct the combustion air supply. In this embodiment, the ventilation system ductwork would most likely be made of PVC material and would be connected to the air supply pipe of a high efficiency furnace, this pipe typically also made of PVC. In this embodiment, a separate fan and electric power supply installation would not be required.

In a further embodiment, the venting action could be accomplished by mounting the ductwork and fan to the top surface of the lower shelf of the cabinet, therein pulling the air up and out of the plenum and wherein it is then exhausted to the outside of the building. This type of installation would be required when the ventilation system is used in a building that does not have a basement or crawlspace or if the vent is desired in a second floor installation. Air from the plenum could also be directed to the combustion air supply pipe of a high efficiency condensing furnace.

Air removal from the plenum could be accomplished through a variety of installation techniques including use of metal ductwork having a mounting flange, by using a pipe with a mounting flange or through use of a gasket designed to interact with the hole cut into the floor of the building. A pipe made of PVC including a mounting flange or gasket system would be appropriate when connecting the ductwork to the intake air supply pipe for a furnace combustion burner as this type of ductwork is typically also made of PVC material. In a preferred embodiment, the ductwork will project a distance into the plenum, having the flange positioned a distance below the end of the ductwork. This provision will reduce the chance that water or debris would be pulled into the ventilation system from the plenum during operation.

Ventilation system installation could include mounting a powered fan directly to the bottom of the floor with ductwork included after the fan, or the fan could be remotely mounted and include ductwork to and from the fan. Other fan and ductwork layouts could be utilized without deviating from the scope of the invention.

The plenum, best described as being the four vertical sidewalls of the cabinet, the lower shelf of the cabinet and the floor of the building, may have additional openings in the form of incomplete walls, or louvered grillwork on the front of the recessed panel on the front of the cabinet. Air entering the plenum to be extracted by the system described could be supplied through the open back or sides of the cabinet or preferably through the opening including a louvered grill cover in the lower front portion of the cabinet.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which will illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The below described drawing figures illustrate the invention

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the vent system as included in a typical kitchen or bath cabinet with ductwork included through the floor of the building, and directed to the air supply pipe of a high efficiency furnace. In this view, a portion of the floor is cut away for clarity.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the ventilation system as installed with venting through the floor and directed to the outside of the building.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the ventilation system with ductwork installed on the lower shelf of the cabinet with the air directed to the outside of the building.

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of a portion of the floor including the opening created and an example of the ductwork including a mounting flange and hardware.

FIG. 5 is a side view of a portion of the floor including the opening created and an example of the ductwork including a mounting flange and hardware.

FIG. 6 is an exploded view of a portion of the floor including the opening created and an example of the ductwork including a mounting gasket.

FIG. 7 is a side view of a portion of the floor including the opening created and an example of the ductwork including a mounting gasket.

FIG. 8 is a side view of the ventilation system as included in a typical kitchen or bath cabinet with ductwork included thru the floor of the building, the ductwork directed to the combustion inlet air pipe of a high efficiency furnace.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention herein described is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being accomplished in various ways. Modifications to the illustrated embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art and generic principles herein can be applied to other embodiments and applications without departing from the spirit of the invention.

The following detailed description is to be read with reference to the figures in which like elements in different figures have like reference numerals.

As shown in perspective view in FIG. 1 and in side view in FIGS. 2, 3 & 8, the ventilation system is normally installed in a cabinet (10) typically found in a kitchen or bath of a contemporary home. Kitchen & bath cabinets (10) feature a lower shelf (15) which is designed to heighten the usable lower surface of the cabinet a distance above the actual floor (20) of the building. The hollow cavity created below the lower shelf (15) of the cabinet (10) and above the actual floor (20) of the building and having perimeter walls created by the structural sides (5) of the cabinet will herein be called a ‘plenum’ (30). A louvered grill panel (40) could be installed on a wall of the plenum (30) most likely positioned on the front face (55) of the lower portion below the lower shelf (15) of the cabinet (10) to allow air from the interior of the building to enter the plenum area (30) of the cabinet (10).

As best shown in FIGS. 2 & 3 and in exploded view in FIGS. 4 & 6, an opening (70) is created to allow air from inside the plenum (30) of the cabinet (10) to be exhausted through the outside wall (80) of the building through use of the described ductwork (60). In one embodiment and as best shown in FIG. 2, access to the air being removed from the plenum (30) will involve cutting a hole or opening (70) in the floor of the building, installation of ductwork (60) and a powered fan (65). The opening created in the floor (20) of the building would be positioned in an area not interrupted by a floor joist or support beam. Access to the ductwork (60) and powered fan (65) would be provided from below the floor (20), this being the basement or crawlspace of the building. Ductwork (60) including a portion (90) designed to enter the plenum (30) is connected to the bottom of the floor (20) through use of a flange (75) including mounting fasteners (77) as best shown in FIGS. 4 & 5. In a secondary embodiment, and as best shown in FIGS. 6 & 7, a gasket (110) would be installed on the ductwork (60) and inserted into the opening (70) and through design of the gasket, secure the ductwork (60) to the floor (20) without the use of fasteners. In a preferred embodiment, the ductwork (60) will include a portion (90) above the mounting flange (75) or gasket (110) that will allow the open top of the ductwork (60) to be positioned higher than the surface level of the floor (20). The protrusion (90) will allow air removal while also preventing water or debris from entering the ductwork (60). The ductwork (60) may be connected to a fan (65) having sufficient power to pull the air from inside the plenum (30) through the outside wall (80) of the building.

In a secondary embodiment, and as best shown in FIG. 3, the ventilation system including the ductwork (60) and fan (65) would be located inside the cabinet (10) and mounted to the lower shelf (15) with air from the plenum (30) pulled upward into the cabinet (10) and wherein it is thereby expelled through the exterior wall (80) of the building through the ductwork (60) and powered fan (65). This type of installation will be required when installing the ventilation system in a building without a basement or crawlspace or if installing the ductwork and fan in a second floor bath or kitchen. The ductwork including the powered fan (65) in this application is mounted to the lower shelf (15) of the cabinet (10) with the ductwork extending downward into the plenum gasket type mount (110) could be utilized and mounted to the top surface of the lower shelf (15).

In a further embodiment and as best shown in FIGS. 1 & 8, air removed from the plenum (30) can be directed through the ductwork (60) to the combustion air inlet pipe of a condensing furnace (310). In such application, the venting system will use the fan included in the furnace combustion system to evacuate air from the plenum (30). As such, air will be vented from the interior to the exterior of the building whenever the furnace burner is operating. In a preferred embodiment, a proprietary movable valve would be installed in the combustion air inlet pipe to allow changes in the direction of the combustion air supply from outside of the building to inside of the building, along with the ability to switch back when desired. In that the action of the furnace combustion fan system will evacuate air from the plenum (30) whenever the furnace is operating, this type of installation will not require a separate fan and electric supply hardware.

Other types of fan and ductwork hardware could be used without deviating from the spirit of the invention and would be apparent to those working in the field.

Claims

1) A ventilation system comprising a plenum created below a lower shelf of a cabinet and above a floor of a building and bordered by four vertical sidewalls comprising said cabinet, said ventilation system including ductwork encompassing an opening created in an area of said floor which will provide entry into said plenum, said ductwork including mounting facility to allow attachment to said floor, said ductwork connected to an electric fan operated by adjustable electronic controls, said fan providing evacuation of air from said plenum to the exterior of said building.

2) The ventilation system of claim 1 wherein said mounting facility comprises a flange included on said ductwork to facilitate screw or nail type mounting hardware to allow attachment to a surface of said floor.

3) The ventilation system of claim 1 wherein said ductwork mounting facility comprises a flexible seal sufficient to secure said ductwork within said opening.

4) A ventilation system comprising a plenum created below a lower shelf of a cabinet and above a floor of a building and bordered by four vertical sidewalls comprising said cabinet, said ventilation system including ductwork encompassing an opening created in said lower shelf of said cabinet, said ductwork including mounting facility to allow attachment to said shelf, said ductwork connected to an electric fan operated by adjustable electronic controls, said fan providing evacuation of air from said plenum to the exterior of said building.

5) The ventilation system of claim 4 wherein said mounting facility comprises a flange included on said ductwork to facilitate screw or nail type mounting hardware to allow attachment to a surface of said shelf.

6) The ventilation system of claim 4 wherein said ductwork mounting facility comprises a flexible seal sufficient to secure said ductwork within said opening.

7) A ventilation system comprising a plenum created below a lower shelf of a cabinet and above a floor of a building and bordered by four vertical sidewalls comprising said cabinet, said ventilation system including ductwork encompassing an opening created in an area of said floor which will provide entry into said plenum, said ductwork including mounting facility to allow attachment to said floor, said ductwork connected to a pipe supplying combustion air for a high efficiency furnace, an exhaust blower motor of said furnace providing air evacuation of said plenum.

8) The ventilation system of claim 7 wherein said mounting facility comprises a flange included on said ductwork to facilitate screw or nail type mounting hardware to allow attachment to a surface of said floor.

9) The ventilation system of claim 7 wherein said ductwork mounting facility comprises a flexible seal sufficient to secure said ductwork within said opening.