Abstract:
An adapter for clothes dryer exhaust vents includes an adapter that fits around a PVC conduit, when such a conduit is used to route dryer vent exhaust from a clothes dryer to the outside of a home or building. The adapter allows much easier installation of a dryer vent when PVC conduit is used. An inverted dryer plenum for a clothes dryer exhaust vent is also disclosed. This inverted dryer plenum is used with an adapter device that may be sized to fit any type of conduit.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to an adapter for circulating air exhaust vents. Specifically, the present invention relates to an adapter for clothes dryer exhaust vents. More particularly, the present invention relates to an adapter that fits around conventional polyvinylchloride (PVC) conduit, when such conduit is used to route dryer vent exhaust from a clothes dryer to the outside of a home or any other building that houses a dryer. The present invention also particularly relates to an inverted dryer vent plenum for a clothes dryer exhaust vent. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     Clothes dryers exhaust hot air from a vent that is typically arranged in a rear portion of the dryer assembly. The hot air is routed from the dryer vent to the outside of a home or other building via a flexible, or non-flexible conduit. This conduit then runs through an opening in the building and is terminated, external to the building, with an exhaust vent adapter. Such an exhaust vent adapter will include a flapper that serves to prevent fluid backflow, as well as intrusion by small animals. An exhaust vent cover may then be installed over the exhaust vent adapter. This cover directs the flow of exhaust air downward, and also provides a pleasing aesthetic appearance. 
     One example of such a conventional device is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,722,181. This device fits either around or within an exit conduit tube and includes overlapping, snap-in louvers to prevent reverse air flow. A snap-fit guard is also provided which includes a lower cage portion. This lower cage portion allows exhaust air to flow outwardly, while preventing the ingress of small birds and animals. 
     Each of the above-described conventional devices is sized to fit around (or within) conventional dryer exhaust tubing. This tubing is typically manufactured of thin aluminum, and has a nominal diameter of four inches. This is because, conventionally, housing manufacturers have either not provided homes with dryer exhaust vents (leaving such provision to the homeowner), or have merely provided provision for connection of the dryer to this conventional type of tubing. 
     More recently, however, housing manufacturers have begun “hard-piping” dryer vent exhaust piping into new homes using PVC conduit. For example, as shown in FIG. 12, the housing manufacturer may run the conduit  92  from the dryer&#39;s proposed location (not shown), under the slab (or foundation)  94 , through the exterior wall  96 , to the outside. The housing manufacturer may then install a conventional dryer exhaust vent  98 , such as one of those described above. These conventional devices are, however, not designed to fit within or around conventional PVC conduit. Thus, before one of these devices can be installed in conjunction with a PVC conduit, the conduit must first be chiseled out an inch or more to accommodate the conventional device. This installation is difficult and time consuming, taking upwards of one-half to three-quarters of an hour. 
     SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
     It is therefore a principal object of the present invention to provide an adapter that will allow installation of a dryer vent over a PVC conduit, without having to chisel out a portion of the conduit. 
     It is also an object of the present invention to provide a novel inverted dryer vent plenum that will allow installation of a dryer vent over conventional dryer exhaust tubing or a PVC conduit. 
     In a first aspect of the present invention an exhaust vent adapter for controlling the flow of air from a structure comprises a frame and a tubular structure. The frame has first and second sides, and a substantially circular opening extending through the frame from the first side to the second side. The tubular structure extends from the second side and surrounds a periphery of the circular opening. The opening is adapted to fit snugly around a PVC conduit. 
     In another aspect of the present invention, an adapter for the exhaust vent of a clothes dryer interconnected by a PVC conduit comprises a frame and a hinged flapper. The frame includes a substantially circular opening extending through it from a first side to a second side. The opening is dimensioned so as to fit around the PVC conduit. The hinged flapper device rotationally extends from the first side of the frame to cover the opening. The flapper device prevents fluid flow from the first side to the second side, while permitting fluid flow from the second side to the first side. 
     In yet another aspect of the present invention, a dryer exhaust vent adapter comprises a frame, a tubular structure, at least one hinge, a flow control device, a groove and a cover. The frame has first and second sides and a substantially circular opening extending through it from the first side to the second side. The opening has a periphery sized to fit snugly around a 4-inch PVC conduit. The tubular structure extends from the first side of the frame and surrounds the periphery of the opening. The at least one hinge extends perpendicularly from the first side of the frame. The flow control device suspends from the at least one hinge, such that said flow control device covers the tubular structure. The groove extends around a plurality of outer edges of the frame. The cover has a plurality of extensions that slide into the groove, and the cover substantially covers the first side of the frame and has an opening in a bottom portion thereof. 
     In yet another aspect of the present invention, an inverted dryer vent plenum assembly comprises a frame, a substantially rectangular cubical plenum member, an intake port, an exhaust port, and a rotationally mounted flapper. The frame has an opening extending therethrough from a first side to a second side. The plenum member is supported on the frame, and has a front wall, a rear wall, at least two side walls, a top wall, and a bottom wall. The intake port is in the rear wall of the plenum member and is dimensioned so as to fit around the opening. The exhaust port is in an upper portion of the front wall of the plenum member. The rotationally mounted flapper is dimensioned so as to cover the exhaust port. 
     In still a further object of the present invention, an inverted dryer vent plenum assembly comprises a frame, a substantially rectangular cubical plenum member, an intake port, an exhaust port, a rotationally mounted flapper, an exhaust shroud, a plurality of fluid deflectors, a groove, a lip portion, and tongue members. The frame has an opening extending therethrough from a first side to a second side. The plenum member is supported on the frame, and has a front wall, a rear wall, at least two side walls, a top wall, and a bottom wall. The intake port is in the rear wall of the plenum member and is dimensioned so as to fit around the opening. The exhaust port is in an upper portion of the front wall of the plenum member. The flapper is dimensioned so as to cover the exhaust port. The exhaust shroud extends from the top wall of the plenum member and has an opening in a bottom portion thereof. The plurality of fluid deflectors are positioned within the housing. The groove extends around an outer periphery of the first member of the frame. The lip portion extends around an outer periphery of the second member of the frame. The tongue members extend outwardly from the rear wall of the plenum member in a direction perpendicular to the side walls and are inserted in the groove. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 depicts a front view of the vent exhaust adapter according to a first embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 depicts a top view of the vent exhaust adapter according to a first embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 3 depicts a section view along the line A—A of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 4 depicts an exploded view of an example of a hinge device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 5 depicts an example of a flapper device used with the device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIGS. 6 a-   6   c  depict front, top, and side views, respectively, of a vent cover according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 7 depicts a side view of an assembled dryer vent, including a partial cut-away section, according to the first embodiment of the present invention 
     FIGS. 8 a-   8   c  depict front, side, and top views, respectively, of an adapter frame according to a second embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIGS. 9 a-   9   d  depict front, side, top, and rear views, respectively, of an exhaust plenum according to a second embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 10 depicts a flapper device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIGS. 11 a-   11   d  depict side, rear, front, and top views, respectively, of a fully integrated device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 12 depicts a convention clothes dryer ventilation exhaust arrangement. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     FIGS. 1,  2  and  3  depict front, side, and section views, respectively, of a first embodiment of the present invention. The adapter  10  includes a frame  12  having an opening  14  that runs through it, from the rear side  16  to the front side  18 . The opening  14  could be any shape necessary to fit snugly around the dryer vent conduit, but in the preferred embodiment is cylindrically shaped. Additionally, the circumference of opening  14  is such that it will slide snugly over the outer circumference of a standard 4″ PVC conduit. A short tubular structure  17 , having substantially the same circumference as opening  14 , may be included and positioned to surround opening  14  and extend from the front portion  18  of the frame  12 . 
     The front portion  18  of frame  12  also includes hinge devices  11  extending perpendicularly therefrom. These hinge devices  11  provide rotational support for a flapper  20  (see FIG.  5 ), which will be discussed further below. The number of hinge devices  11  used could be any number that the ordinarily skilled artisan believes necessary for the application, but in the preferred embodiment two such hinges  11  are used. As can be seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, each hinge device  11  extends perpendicularly from the frame front portion  18 , and includes an opening  13  extending in the upward direction. Each opening  13  is sized to securely capture a flapper rotational extension piece  21 , while allowing for rotational movement of the flapper  20 . Additionally, as will be apparent to the ordinarily skilled artisan, the disclosed hinge device  11  configuration is not limited by that depicted, but could take on various configurations. For example, the hinge devices could be integral with the sides of the frame, allowing the flapper  20  to be snap-fit into them. 
     A lip portion  15  extends around the outer periphery of the frame  12  to receive a cover  30  (FIGS. 6 a-   6   c ). The lip portion  15  does not extend around the entire periphery of frame  12 , thus, as depicted in FIG. 1, it is not included around a top portion  19  of frame  12 . The lip portion  15  provides support for cover  30 , which is slid into the lip portion  15  from the top of the frame  12 . The lip portion  15  is sized to securely receive the cover  30  and provide structural support therefor. It will be clear to one of ordinary skill that other means could be used to attach and support vent cover  30 . Such non-limiting examples include providing lip portions at spaced locations around the periphery of the frame  12 , attaching the frame  12  with fasteners or an adhesive, or providing a snap-fit attachment for the cover  30 . 
     FIG. 5 depicts a preferred embodiment of a vent flapper  20  for use with the first embodiment of the present invention. The vent flapper  20  has a generally U-shaped circumference and includes two rotational extension pieces  21 . The flapper is, of course, not restricted to a U-shape and could be any shape desired by the ordinarily skilled artisan. The rotational extension pieces  21  fit snugly, yet are rotationally supported, in the hinge device openings  13 , as discussed above. Again, the extension pieces  21  are not limited to that depicted, but could, for example, extend beyond the outer periphery of the main body of the flapper  20  and be received in snap-fit hinge portions, discussed previously above. 
     FIGS. 6 a-   6   c  depict front, top, and side views, respectively, of the vent cover  30  according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The vent cover  30  includes a generally hollow deflecting portion  31 , that receives air flow into its rear side  33  and deflects the air flow out a lower opening  35 . As can be seen, the vent cover includes an extension portion  32  around the outer periphery thereof. This extension portion  32  is sized and dimensioned so as to be slidably, yet snugly, received into the lip portion  15  of frame  12 . The vent cover  30  may also include an engagement portion  34  extending rearward from the top of the extension portion  32 . The engagement portion  34  will rest on the top  19  of the frame  12  when the vent cover  30  is installed over the frame  12 . 
     FIG. 7 depicts a side view of an assembled dryer vent, including a partial cut-away section, according to the first embodiment of the present invention. This Figure clearly depicts the adapter  10  snugly, yet rotationally, receiving the flapper  20  in the hinge devices  11 . This allows the flapper  20  to hang freely from the hinge devices  11  and completely cover the frame opening  14 . The rotational support allows air to flow through the frame  12  in only one direction, while simultaneously preventing small animals from entering the conduit to which it is adapted. FIG. 7 further depicts the vent cover  30  installed over the adapter frame  12 . This is accomplished by sliding the cover extension portions  32  into the lip portion  15  of the adapter frame  12 . Also depicted is the engagement portion  34  covering the top portion  19  of the adapter frame  12 . 
     FIGS. 8 through 11 depict a second embodiment of the present invention. This second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in shape and form, but is functionally equivalent to the first embodiment. 
     FIGS. 8 a-   8   c  depict an adapter  50  according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The adapter  50  includes a frame  52  that has a substantially L-shaped cross section, though it will be understood that other cross sectional shapes could be used. The frame  52  includes an opening  54  that runs through it, from the rear side  56  to the front side  58 . Similar to the first embodiment, the opening  54  could be any shape necessary to fit snugly around the dryer vent conduit, but in the preferred embodiment is cylindrically shaped. Additionally, the circumference of opening  54  in this embodiment can be dimensioned so as to fit around any size conduit, but in the preferred embodiment is sized such that it will slide snugly over the outer circumference of a standard 4″ PVC conduit. The opening may also include a short tubular structure  57  extending from the front side  58 , to provide additional structural support when installed around a conduit. 
     As can be seen in FIG. 8 c,  frame  52  includes groove portions  51  on the outer right  53  and left  55  portions of the fame  52 . The frame  52  further includes a bottom portion  59  on which an exhaust plenum  60  (FIG. 9) rests when fully installed. 
     The exhaust plenum  60 , depicted in FIGS. 9 a-   9   d,  is a substantially rectangular parallelopiped structure comprising a front wall  62 , a rear wall  64 , right  66  and left  68  side walls, and top  61  and bottom  63  walls. The exhaust plenum  60  slides into, and is supported by, adapter  50 . Extension portions, or tongues,  65  along the outer periphery of the rear wall  64  are received into the groove portions  51  by sliding the exhaust plenum  60  onto the adapter  50  from above. It will, of course, be understood that other means of attaching plenum  60  to adapter  50  could be used, such as screws, rivets, adhesive, etc. 
     FIG. 9 d  depicts a rear view of plenum  60 . As can be seen, rear wall  64  includes an opening  67  that accommodates the tubular structure  57  when the plenum  60  is installed onto the frame  50 . This opening  67  is dimensioned so as to fit snugly around the outer periphery of the tubular structure  57 . The exhaust plenum  60  also includes a plurality of air deflectors  69 . FIG. 9 b  depicts two deflectors  69 , though it will be appreciated by the ordinarily skilled artisan that any number could be used. These deflectors  69  serve to efficiently direct the flow of exhaust gas through the plenum  60 . Also shown in FIG. 9 b  is a vent shroud  71 . The vent shroud  71  provides physical and environmental protection for the vent flap  73  that extends over the plenum outlet  75 . 
     Vent flap  73 , shown more particularly in FIG. 10, allows exhaust fluid to flow out of plenum  60  through plenum outlet  75 , while preventing any flow into plenum  60  through outlet  75 . Vent flap  73  can also prevent the ingress of pests and other small animals into the plenum and conduit. Vent flap  73  may be rotationally attached to plenum  60  using any known method known in the art, but in the preferred embodiment is rotationally engaged via extension pins  77  on the upper portion of vent flap  73 . 
     FIGS. 11 a-   11   d  show this second embodiment in its fully installed condition. The adapter  50  is slid onto the exhaust conduit  80  exiting a building structure (not shown). The adapter  50  may then be affixed to the exhaust conduit  80  using adhesive, rivets, screws, or any other device known to the ordinarily skilled artisan. The exhaust plenum  60  is slid into, and supported by, the adapter  50  via the engagement between the tongues  65  and grooves  51 . The exhaust plenum  60  bottom wall  63  rests on the frame  52 . Any exhaust fluid flowing in conduit  80  enters the plenum  60 , is deflected by deflectors  69 , and exits exhaust port  75  via flapper  73  and vent shroud  71 . 
     It should be understood that the particular assembly depicted in the Figures and described herein are only illustrative examples of the numerous assemblies that can be formed by an ordinarily skilled artisan practicing the present invention. 
     While preferred embodiments of the present invention have illustrated in detail, it is apparent that modifications and adaptations of the preferred embodiments will occur to those skilled in the art. However, it will be expressly understood that such modifications and adaptations are within the spirit and scope of the present invention as set forth in the following claims.