Patent ID: 6270401
Filing Date: 2001-08-07
Classification: F24F

Abstract:
In an air diffuser for controlling the flow of air from a duct to a room, the air diffuser comprising:a cover having multiple spaced louvers, with openings between adjacent louvers, whereby air is directed into the room by the louvers, anda valve assembly for controlling the volume of air from the duct through the cover, the valve assembly comprising:a frame mounted to the cover and defining a valve opening for fluidly connecting the duct to the cover, anda vane positioned within the valve opening and mounted to the frame for rotation about an axis between a closed position where the vane substantially blocks the valve opening to substantially prevent the flow of air through the valve opening, and an open position where the vane permits the flow of air through the valve opening; the improvement wherein:the vane is mounted to the frame by a deformable web integrally formed with the frame and the vane, said web connecting the vane to the frame along the axis, whereby as the vane is rotated between the closed and open positions, the deformable web is twisted about the axis.