Abstract:
A net for covering an air duct is disclosed. The Vent net has a frame and is meant to prevent objects from falling into the duct.

Description:
PRIORITY 
       [0001]    The present application claims priority to co-pending United States Provisional Application 60/850,485 filed Oct. 10, 2006. 
     
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention is directed to the field of products used in association with heating or air conditioning ducts. In particular, the present invention is directed to a device that is adapted to fit over the wall or floor openings for such ducts to prevent objects from falling into the air ducts. 
     
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0003]      FIG. 1  is a plan view illustrating an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0004]      FIG. 2  is a side view illustrating an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0005]      FIG. 3  is a top view illustrating an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0006]      FIG. 4  is a bottom view illustrating an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0007]      FIG. 5  is an exploded plan view illustrating the installation of the present invention in a floor vent. 
           [0008]      FIG. 6  is an assembled plan view illustrating the present invention installed in a floor vent. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    The present invention will now be described in terms of the presently preferred embodiment thereof. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that many obvious modifications can be made thereto without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention. 
         [0010]    The present invention as illustrated in  FIG. 1  is directed to a device to prevent objects from falling into heat and/or air conditioning ducts and/or air intakes/return supply ducts. The Vent Net  10  comprises a generally rectangular top frame  12 , and an internal frame  13  connected to the top frame  12 . The Vent Net  10  further comprises a net  14  connected to the top frame  12  by means of weld, adhesive, staples or nails. Alternatively, the top frame  12  and the net  14  may be manufactured as one piece. The top frame  12  is generally rectangular in nature. The size and shape of the frame  12 , although illustrated as rectangular, is determined by the size and shape of the particular duct opening to which the Vent Net  10  will be applied. The frame  12  can be fabricated from any appropriate material including, but not limited to aluminum, tin, other metals, plastic, PVC or rubber. 
         [0011]    The net  14  is attached to the top frame  12 . The net  14  can be fabricated from any appropriate netting material. The mesh size of the net  14  is determined by the size of the objects from which one wishes to protect the heating or air conditioning system. 
         [0012]    The Vent Net  10  is placed into the opening  16  of the air duct. The register or return grills  18  of the air duct opening will be installed as normal over the Vent Net  10 . It is also contemplated that the Vent Net  10  could be secured to the duct itself rather than as a cover over the duct. 
         [0013]    After installation, the vent  10  will capture any objects that fall through the openings in the grill  18 . It will be a simple matter to remove the grill  18  and then remove the objects from the vent net  10 . 
         [0014]    Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the foregoing merely describes an embodiment of the present invention and many obvious modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention as set forth in the appended claims.