VENT FOR AIR CONDITIONING UNIT

Abstract

A vent assembly for venting air from ducting of an air conditioning unit through a wall includes an outer portion and an inner portion. The outer portion is attached to an exterior surface of the wall and includes a frame, a hood, and a back portion. The frame engages with the exterior surface of the wall. The hood extends from the frame and includes an upper surface and a pair of opposed side walls. The upper surface extends from the frame. The side walls extend from the frame and are connected to the upper surface. The back portion is attached to the hood and includes a back wall and a damper. The back wall has a back opening. The damper extends across and covers the back opening. The damper is connected to the back wall to allow for hinged movement of the damper with respect to the back wall. The inner portion is attached to the outer portion and extends through the wall. The inner portion includes a pipe connected to the back portion and is aligned with the back opening. The inner portion is removably attachable to the ducting.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to vents, and in particular to vents for air conditioning units.

BACKGROUND

Air conditioning units, and in particular, portable air conditioning units, are commonly used to provide air conditioning to an enclosed space, such as a room in a building. Typically, air conditioning units, and especially portable air conditioning units, require some mechanism to vent air out. This may be achieved by using a duct that allows expelled air from the air conditioning unit to be moved outside of the enclosed space, such as through a window. This may require, for example, using a window bracket that is adapted to connect one end of the duct to the window.

The window brackets typically used with air conditioning units are unsightly and difficult to install. The brackets may also interfere with the use and enjoyment of the windows. It may be preferable for the ducting to instead be attached to openings in the walls of the enclosed space. However, such openings will need to be closed off when the ducting is no longer attached, such as when the air conditioning unit is no longer needed.

There is therefore a need for an easier and more convenient way to connect ducting from air conditioning units to the outside.

SUMMARY

In one aspect, a vent assembly for attachment to the ducting of an air conditioning unit comprises an inner portion and an outer portion. The inner portion is adapted to extend through a wall and is connected to the ducting. The outer portion comprises a frame and a hood. The frame extends around at least a portion of the perimeter of the hood. The outer portion further comprises a back portion. The pipe is attached to the back portion, while the back portion is attached to the hood. The hood, the back portion, and the pipe provide a passageway through which air may flow from the ducting to the other side of the wall.

In another aspect, a vent assembly for venting air from ducting of an air conditioning unit through a wall comprises an outer portion and an inner portion. The outer portion is adapted to be attached to an exterior surface of the wall, with the outer portion comprising a frame, a hood, and a back portion. The frame is adapted to engage with the exterior surface of the wall. The hood extends from the frame, with the hood comprising an upper surface and a pair of opposed side walls. The upper surface extends from the frame. The side walls extend from the frame and are connected to the upper surface. The back portion is attached to the hood, with the back portion comprising a back wall and a damper. The back wall comprises a back opening. The damper extends across and covers at least a portion of the back opening. The damper is connected to the back wall to allow for hinged movement of the damper with respect to the back wall. The inner portion is attached to the outer portion and extends through the wall. The inner portion comprises a pipe connected to the back portion and is aligned with the back opening. The inner portion is adapted to be removably attachable to the ducting of the air conditioning unit.

In a further aspect, the pipe comprises a first pipe end and a second pipe end. The first pipe end is connected to the back portion. The inner portion further comprises a bell portion extending from the second pipe end.

In still a further aspect, the bell portion comprises a bell body and a sloped surface. The bell body comprises a bell end adapted to be removably attachable to the ducting of the air conditioning unit. The bell body has a diameter greater than that of the pipe. The sloped surface extends between the second pipe end and the bell body.

In still yet a further aspect, the inner portion further comprises a cap adapted to fit over the bell end when the ducting of the air conditioning unit is detached.

In another aspect, the inner portion further comprises a cable connecting the cap to the bell body.

In yet another aspect, the outer portion further comprises an enclosure defined, at least in part, by the upper surface, the pair of opposed side walls, and the back wall.

In still yet another aspect, the damper is adapted to move hingedly into the enclosure upon exertion of a force on the damper.

In a further aspect, the hinged movement of the damper into the enclosure uncovers, at least in part, the back opening, allowing airflow from the ducting into the enclosure.

In still a further aspect, the upper surface comprises a front lower edge, with the side walls comprising side lower edges, and with the outer portion further comprising a vent opening defined, at least in part, by the front lower edge and the side lower edges.

In yet still a further aspect, the vent opening leads to the enclosure.

In another aspect, the vent opening is oriented horizontally.

In yet another aspect, the airflow in the enclosure exits the vent assembly through the vent opening.

In a further aspect, the outer portion further comprises a screen extending across at least a portion of the vent opening.

In still a further aspect, the upper surface comprises a roof extending from the frame and a front wall extending from the roof.

In still yet a further aspect, the roof extends from the frame at an angle between 90° and 120°.

In yet a further aspect, the front wall extends from the roof at an angle between 200° and 240°.

In another aspect, the outer portion further comprises a neck adapted to be attached to the back portion.

In yet another aspect, the neck comprises a first neck portion, a second neck portion, and a third neck portion. The first neck portion is adapted to engage with the exterior surface of the wall. The second neck portion extends from the first neck portion, the second neck portion adapted to attach to the back portion. The third neck portion extends from the second neck portion, with the third neck portion extending below the vent opening.

In still another aspect, the third neck portion extends from the second neck portion at an angle between 115° and 155°.

In a further aspect, the back portion further comprises one or more back wall ledges extending from the back wall, with the back wall ledges adapted to engage with the hood.

The foregoing was intended as a summary only and of only some of the aspects of the invention. It was not intended to define the limits or requirements of the invention. Other aspects of the invention will be appreciated by reference to the detailed description of the embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The embodiments will be described by reference to the drawings thereof, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the vent assembly in accordance with one embodiment;

FIG. 2 is another perspective view of the vent assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the vent assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a top view of the vent assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the vent assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the vent assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 depicts the frame and the hood of the vent assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 depicts the back portion of the vent assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 depicts the neck of the vent assembly of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 10 depicts the vent assembly installed on a wall.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 10, in accordance with one embodiment, a vent assembly 10 is installed on a wall 2 of an enclosed space 3 (e.g. a room) to allow for airflow from ducting 4 of an air conditioning unit 5 to be vented outside of the enclosed space 3, as best shown in FIG. 10. The vent assembly 10 comprises an inner portion 12 and an outer portion 14. The outer portion 14 is adapted to be attached to an exterior surface 6 of the wall 2, while the inner portion 12 is adapted to extend through the wall 2 and into the enclosed space 3 for attachment to the ducting 4.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the outer portion 14 comprises a frame 16 and a hood 18 extending from the frame 16. In some embodiments, the frame 16 is substantially planar and extends along at least a portion of a perimeter of the hood 18. For example, in the embodiment shown in the figures, the frame 16 extends along at least an upper and lateral portions of the perimeter of the hood 18. The frame 16 is adapted to be attached to the exterior surface 6 of the wall 2. This attachment of the frame 16 to the exterior surface 6 may be by mechanical fasteners (e.g. screws, bolts, etc.), by adhesives, or by any other suitable mechanisms.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the hood 18 comprises an upper surface 82 extending from the frame 16. The upper surface 82 may comprise a roof 20 extending from the frame 16. The roof 20 extends at an angle A from the frame 16. The angle A may be between approximately 90° and approximately 120°, and in some embodiments, approximately 106°. The upper surface 82 further comprises a front wall 22 extending from the roof 20. The front wall 22 extends at an angle B from the roof 20. The angle B may be between approximately 200° and approximately 240°, and in some embodiments, approximately 221.7°. The hood 18 further comprises a pair of opposed side walls 24 that extend from the frame 16 and are connected to the roof 20 and the front wall 22. The side walls 24 may extend substantially perpendicularly from the frame 16. The roof 20 comprises lateral roof edges 26, and the front wall 22 comprises lateral front edges 28. The side walls 24 may be connected to the roof 20 and the front wall 22 proximate to the lateral roof edges 26 and the lateral front edges 28, respectively.

In one embodiment, the frame 16 and the hood 18 may be constructed from a single sheet of material (such as a sheet of metal) that is bent and cut to form the shape of the frame 16 and the hood 18, as best shown in FIG. 7.

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 8, the outer portion 14 further comprises a back portion 30 that is attached to the hood 18. The back portion 30 comprises a back wall 32 and one or more back wall ledges 34 extending from portions of a perimeter of the back wall 32, as best seen in FIG. 8. For example, referring back to FIG. 6, in one embodiment, the back wall 32 is substantially rectangular, comprising a back upper edge 36, a back lower edge 38 and two back lateral edges 40. The back wall ledges 34 extend from the back upper and lower edges 36, 38 and the back lateral edges 40. The back wall ledges 34 may extend from each of the back upper and lower edges 36, 38 and the back lateral edges 40. The back wall ledges 34 provide an attachment surface for the hood 18. For example, the roof 20 may be attached to the back wall ledge 34 extending from the back upper edge 36, while the side walls 24 may be attached to the back wall ledges 34 extending from the back lateral edges 40. This attachment may be by mechanical fasteners (e.g. screws, bolts, etc.), by adhesives, by friction fitting, or by any other suitable mechanisms. The back wall ledges 34 may extend from the back lateral edges 40 substantially perpendicularly to the back wall 32. Also, the back wall ledge 34 may extend from the back upper edge 36 at an angle away from perpendicular to the back wall 32, in order to accommodate the angularity of the roof 20 from the frame 16 (e.g. as depicted as the angle A).

The back wall 32 comprises a back opening 42 that may be substantially round in shape, as best seen in FIG. 6.

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 9, the outer portion 14 in some embodiments further comprises a neck 44 that is adapted to be attached to the back portion 30. Referring to FIG. 9, the neck 44 comprises a first neck portion 46 that may be substantially coplanar with and abuts the frame 16 (as best seen in FIG. 1). The first neck portion 46 may engage with the exterior surface 6 of the wall 2. The neck 44 further comprises a second neck portion 48 that extends from the first neck portion 46 and is adapted to attach to the back wall ledge 34 extending from the back lower edge 38. The second neck portion 48 may extend substantially perpendicularly from the first neck portion 46.

The neck 44 further comprises a third neck portion 50 that extends from the second neck portion 48. The third neck portion 50 extends at an angle C from the second neck portion 48, as shown in FIG. 9. The angle C may be between approximately 115° and approximately 155°, and in some embodiments approximately 135°. The interface between the second neck portion 48 and the third neck portion 50 defines a neck edge 52. In some embodiments, the neck 44 may be formed from a single sheet of material (such a sheet of metal) that is bent to form the first, second, and third neck portions 46, 48, 50, as best shown in FIG. 9.

Referring to FIGS. 4, 5, and 7, the outer portion 14 further comprises an enclosure 54 that is partially open. The enclosure 54 is defined, at least in part, by the roof 20, the front wall 22, the side walls 24, and the back wall 32. Where the neck 44 is present, the enclosure 54 may also be defined in part by the second neck portion 48. The back opening 42 leads to the enclosure 54.

Referring to FIG. 8, in one embodiment, the outer portion 14 further comprises a damper 56 that is adapted to cover, at least partially, the back opening 42. The damper 56 is connected to the back wall 32, such as through an attachment member 58 attached to the back wall 32 proximate to the back upper edge 36. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 8, the attachment member 58 comprises two or more rings 59. The damper 56 comprises damper openings 61 proximate to a damper upper edge 63. The damper openings 61 are adapted to accommodate the rings 59 in order to attach the damper 56 to the back wall 32. The arrangement of the rings 59 and the damper openings 61 allows the damper 56 to move with respect to the back wall 32, and in particular allows the damper 56 to move in a substantially hinged manner about the damper upper edge 63, as shown in FIG. 8.

The attachment of the damper 56 to the attachment member 58 of the back wall 32 allows the damper 56 to move hingedly inwards (into the enclosure 54) about the damper upper edge 63 when a force (such as airflow) is exerted against the damper 56 (such as in direction D, as shown in FIG. 3). This will allow for airflow to enter into the enclosure 54 through the back opening 42. As long as the force is exerted against the damper 56, the damper 56 will tend to remain open (and allow airflow to enter into the enclosure 54). When no force is exerted against the damper 56, the damper 56 will tend to cover the back opening 42, thus preventing any significant movement of air through the back opening 42. The damper 56 also prevents significant amounts of air from outside moving into the enclosed space 3 through the back opening 42.

Referring to FIG. 7 the front wall 22 comprises a front lower edge 60, and the side walls 24 comprise side lower edges 62. The outer portion 14 comprises a vent opening 64 that is defined, at least in part, by the front lower edge 60 and the side lower edges 62. Where the neck 44 is present, the vent opening 64 is also defined, at least in part, by the neck edge 52. The vent opening 64 also leads into the enclosure 54. The vent opening 64 may be oriented such that it is substantially horizontal. This means that any airflow leaving the enclosure 54 through the vent opening 64 will be directed substantially downwardly.

Referring to FIG. 1, the outer portion 14 may further comprises a screen 66 extending across at least a portion of the vent opening 64 to prevent objects from entering into the enclosure 54. In one embodiment, the hood 18 comprises hood ledges 68 extending inwardly into the vent opening 64 from the front wall 22 and the side walls 24 proximate to the front lower edge 60 and the side lower edges 62, respectively (as shown in FIG. 7). The hood ledges 68 provide an attachment surface for the screen 66. This attachment may be by mechanical fasteners (e.g. screws, bolts, etc.), by adhesives, or by any other suitable mechanisms.

Referring to FIGS. 2 to 5, the inner portion 12 comprises a substantially hollow pipe 70 extending substantially perpendicularly from the back wall 32 and aligned with the back opening 42, thereby providing a passageway into the enclosure 54. The pipe 70 is adapted to extend through the wall 2 of the enclosed space 3. The pipe 70 may have a substantially circular cross-section with first and second pipe ends 72, 74. The pipe 70 is connected to the back wall 32 at the first pipe end 72. In some embodiments, the second pipe end 74 is adapted to be attached and detached to the ducting 4 of the air conditioning unit 5.

In other embodiments, the inner portion 12 further comprises a substantially hollow bell portion 76 extending from the second pipe end 74. The bell portion 76 comprises a bell body 90 that may have a diameter that is greater than a diameter of the pipe 70. The bell portion 76 may comprise a sloped surface 86 extending between the second pipe end 74 and the bell body 90. The bell body 90 comprises a bell end 86 that is adapted to be attached and detached to the ducting 4 of the air conditioning unit 5.

The inner portion 12 may further comprise a cap 78 that is adapted to removably attach to the bell body 90 over the bell end 86 when the inner portion 12 is not attached to the ducting 4. The cap 78 prevents objects from entering into the bell body 90 when the ducting 4 is not connected to the bell portion 76. Referring to FIG. 2, in one embodiment, a cable 80 attaching the cap 78 to the bell body 90 may be provided in order to prevent the cap 78 from being separated from the bell body 90 when the cap 78 is not secured over the bell body 90. The cable 80 may be a chain, a cord, a wire, or the like.

The vent assembly 10 allows for air expelled from the air conditioning unit 5 to be easily vented to the outside. The air expelled from the air conditioning unit 5 moves through the ducting 4 and into the vent assembly 10 through the bell portion 76 and the pipe 70. This airflow will then come into contact with the damper 56, and the force of the airflow will cause the damper 56 to hingedly move inward into the enclosure 54. This allows the air to enter into the enclosure 54 through the back opening 42. The orientation of the hood 18 will direct the air downwards through the vent opening 64 and out of the vent assembly 10.

When the airflow from the air conditioning unit 5 ceases (such as when the air conditioning unit 5 is not operating or when the air conditioning unit 5 has been disconnected from the vent assembly 10), there is no longer a force acting against the damper 56. The damper 56 will then tend to rest against the back opening 42, thereby preventing any significant movement of air across the vent assembly 10.

In another embodiment, the roof 20 and the front wall 22 may be combined together to form a single planar structure. In other words, in this embodiment, the upper surface 82 would be a single unitary structure, instead of having the roof 20 and the front wall 22 as distinct components.

Referring to FIG. 10, the vent assembly 10 may be fixedly attached to the wall 2. When the air conditioning unit 5 is to be used, the ducting 4 may be attached to the bell body 90 to provide venting of air from the air conditioning unit 5 to the outside. When the air conditioning unit 5 is no longer needed, the ducting 4 may be detached from the bell body 90 and the cap 78 placed over the bell end 86 to seal the vent assembly 10.

The installation of the vent assembly 10 may be carried out as follows. An opening is made in the wall 2 (such as by drilling) that is large enough to pass the vent assembly 10 completely therethrough. The vent assembly 10 may then be fixed in place within the wall 2 by attaching one or more panels 88 (e.g. sandwich panels) around the pipe 70. The sloped surface 84 of the bell portion 76 may engage with one or more of the panels 88 to provide a tighter seal between the inner portion 12 and the panels 88.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the preferred embodiment has been described in some detail but that certain modifications may be practiced without departing from the principles of the invention.

Claims

1. A vent assembly for venting air from ducting of an air conditioning unit through a wall, the vent assembly comprising: an outer portion adapted to be attached to an exterior surface of the wall, the outer portion comprising: a frame adapted to engage with the exterior surface of the wall;a hood extending from the frame, the hood comprising: an upper surface extending from the frame; anda pair of opposed side walls extending from the frame and connected to the upper surface; anda back portion attached to the hood, the back portion comprising: a back wall comprising a back opening; anda damper extending across and covering at least a portion of the back opening, the damper connected to the back wall to allow for hinged movement of the damper with respect to the back wall; andan inner portion attached to the outer portion and extending through the wall, the inner portion comprising a pipe connected to the back portion and aligned with the back opening, wherein the inner portion is adapted to be removably attachable to the ducting of the air conditioning unit.

2. The vent assembly of claim 1, wherein the pipe comprises a first pipe end and a second pipe end, wherein the first pipe end is connected to the back portion, and wherein the inner portion further comprises a bell portion extending from the second pipe end.

3. The vent assembly of claim 2, wherein the bell portion comprises: a bell body comprising a bell end adapted to be removably attachable to the ducting of the air conditioning unit, wherein the bell body has a diameter greater than that of the pipe; anda sloped surface extending between the second pipe end and the bell body.

4. The vent assembly of claim 3, wherein the inner portion further comprises a cap adapted to fit over the bell end when the ducting of the air conditioning unit is detached.

5. The vent assembly of claim 4, wherein the inner portion further comprises a cable connecting the cap to the bell body.

6. The vent assembly of claim 1, wherein the outer portion further comprises an enclosure defined, at least in part, by the upper surface, the pair of opposed side walls, and the back wall.

7. The vent assembly of claim 6, wherein the damper is adapted to move hingedly into the enclosure upon exertion of a force on the damper.

8. The vent assembly of claim 7, wherein the hinged movement of the damper into the enclosure uncovers, at least in part, the back opening, allowing airflow from the ducting into the enclosure.

9. The vent assembly of claim 8, wherein the upper surface comprises a front lower edge, wherein the side walls comprise side lower edges, and wherein the outer portion further comprises a vent opening defined, at least in part, by the front lower edge and the side lower edges.

10. The vent assembly of claim 9, wherein the vent opening leads to the enclosure.

11. The vent assembly of claim 9, wherein the vent opening is oriented horizontally.

12. The vent assembly of claim 10, wherein the airflow in the enclosure exits the vent assembly through the vent opening.

13. The vent assembly of claim 9, wherein the outer portion further comprises a screen extending across at least a portion of the vent opening.

14. The vent assembly of claim 1, wherein the upper surface comprises: a roof extending from the frame; anda front wall extending from the roof.

15. The vent assembly of claim 14, wherein the roof extends from the frame at an angle between 90° and 120°.

16. The vent assembly of claim 14, wherein the front wall extends from the roof at an angle between 200° and 240°.

17. The vent assembly of claim 9, wherein the outer portion further comprises a neck adapted to be attached to the back portion.

18. The vent assembly of claim 17, wherein the neck comprises: a first neck portion adapted to engage with the exterior surface of the wall;a second neck portion extending from the first neck portion, the second neck portion adapted to attach to the back portion; anda third neck portion extending from the second neck portion, the third neck portion extending below the vent opening.

19. The vent assembly of claim 18, wherein the third neck portion extends from the second neck portion at an angle between 115° and 155°.

20. The vent assembly of claim 1, wherein the back portion further comprises one or more back wall ledges extending from the back wall, the back wall ledges adapted to engage with the hood.