Abstract:
An air register for covering an air duct opening in a space ventilated by a forced central air system. The invention permits the user to change the direction of the air flow by rotating the air deflector. The invention also permits the user to regulate the amount of the air flowing into the space by adjusting the shutter of the damper box, by rotating the air deflector, or by doing both. The invention therefore gives the user many options in selecting the desirable air flow setting.

Description:
PRIORITY 
       [0001]    The present invention claims priority under 35 USC section 119 based upon a provisional application which was filed on Dec. 4, 2009 and which has a Ser. No. of 61/266,542. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates generally to air registers for regulation the flow of air from a heating or air-conditioning system. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    For a space that is ventilated by a forced central air system, air registers are used to cover air duct opening on walls, ceilings, and/or floors of the space. They allow air to flow into the space while preventing large objects from entering the duct. 
         [0004]    Air registers typically consists of two parts: the grill, which is the outside part of the register used mainly to cover the opening, and the damper box, which is the inside part of the register used to control the air flow through the duct. The damper box is sized to fit within an air duct opening. The grill cover is typically designed with parallel louvers, but may have decorative patterns. Mass-produced, pre-manufactured air registers are prefabricated, or assembled by gluing or snapping the damper box and the grill cover together. 
         [0005]    Air registers may be held in place within an air duct opening using friction between the damper box and the sides of the air duct opening and fasteners that pass through either the grill or the damper box into the surrounding surface. 
         [0006]    Users may control the amount of air flow by pressing a lever or actuating another control on the damper box, which opens or closes the shutters to increase or reduce the amount of air streaming into the space. The direction of the air flow through the register is generally perpendicular to the air register grill as the air is pushed through the ducts. When the air register is located underneath or behind furniture in a room, the undirected flow of air may be restricted. 
         [0007]    To address this problem, an air deflector may be used to redirect the air flow. An air deflector is a separate apparatus that is adhered or fastened to the grill. A typical air deflector is a curved piece of plastic that is attached to the grill using magnets or adhesive strips. 
         [0008]    There are circumstances where it would be useful for the air deflector to be adjustable. The prior art air deflectors are either rigidly affixed to the air register, or are removable, but cannot be adjusted easily. A fixed air register is by definition not easily adjustable, and a removable air register must be stored and replaced each time the air flow is adjusted. There is a need for an air register having a deflector that is easily adjustable. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    The invention may include a register for controlling the flow of a fluid from a duct, specifically for a heating and air conditioning system which may include a grill, a damper box sized to fit within the duct, the damper box may define a passage may have a first opening and a second opening, the first opening may be fluid communication with the grill, and the second opening may be fluid communication with the duct; and a deflector which may be mounted on a pivot axis that is rotatable from an extended position to a retracted position. 
         [0010]    The deflector in the extended position may deflect fluid passing from the duct through the grill. 
         [0011]    The invention may be further directed to a register as described above, where in the retracted position, the deflector at least partially may occlude the second opening. 
         [0000]    The deflector may include a curved top wall.
 
The deflector may include a sidewall to connect to the curved top wall.
 
The deflector may include a protruding lip.
 
The damper box may include a bottom curved wall.
 
The damper box may include a sidewall to connect to the bottom curved wall.
 
The sidewall may include a raised surface.
 
The raised surface may include a slot to cooperate with a pivot axis.
 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]    The present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the following drawings in which: 
           [0013]      FIG. 1A  is perspective view of a first embodiment of the invention; 
           [0014]      FIG. 1B  is side view the first embodiment in an extended position; 
           [0015]      FIG. 1C  is side view the first embodiment in a retracted position; 
           [0016]      FIG. 2A  is perspective view of a second embodiment of the invention in an extended position; 
           [0017]      FIG. 2B  is perspective view the second embodiment in a retracted position; 
           [0018]      FIG. 2C  is side view the second embodiment in a retracted position; 
           [0019]      FIG. 2D  is side view the second embodiment in an extended position; 
           [0020]      FIG. 2E  is perspective view the second embodiment with the deflector detached; 
           [0021]      FIG. 3  is an exploded perspective view of a third embodiment of the invention showing its components; and 
           [0022]      FIGS. 4A  to C are perspective views of a fourth embodiment of the invention depicting the transition from an extended position to a retracted position. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0023]      FIGS. 1A and 1C  show a first embodiment of the invention which may include a grill  10  affixed to a damper box  12  to form an air register for an air vent. 
         [0024]    The damper box  12  may define a passage through which air may flow. One end of the passage may open to the grill  10 , and the second end of the passage  14  may be in fluid communication with an air duct. The damper box may preferably be a rectangular prism may have a tapered portion at the second end  14 , but may be any shape that performs its function. 
         [0025]    The grill  10  may define a plurality of openings which allow the passage of air. The grill  10  may also have a flange which extends outwardly around the edge of the grill  10  to rest upon any adjacent surface, but this flange may not be necessary for certain applications. In this preferred embodiment, the flange may include holes to permit a fastener, such as a screw, to be used to affix the air register to the air duct or adjacent surface. 
         [0026]    The grill  10  is shown with a louvered grill pattern in all the figures, but may be decorated with any design pattern. 
         [0027]    The air register further may include an air deflector  11  that may deflect air that is passing out of the grill  10  from the air duct. In this embodiment, the air deflector  11  may have two sides, and a curbed surface that act to redirect air from the air duct. It is preferred that each side may define at least a quarter circle, which in conjunction with the curved surface define a portion of a cylinder cut lengthwise. However, the air deflector may also have a plurality of flat surfaces joined along their long edges to create an approximately curved surface. 
         [0028]    The air deflector  11  may pivot about a pivot axis  13  which is parallel to the plane in which the grill  10  generally lays, and which may pass through the grill  10  along that plane, or through a portion of the damper box  12 . The air deflector  11  may be permitted to pivot about the pivot axis using any known method, but preferably is mounted on the damper box  12  using rivets, screws or bolts. The air deflector  11  may be pivoted by a user using knobs or wheels affixed to the sides of the air deflector  11  in line with the pivot axis  13 . If the grill  10  has a flange, the grill  10  may have a slit  19  which permits the air deflector  11  to pass through the grill  10  as it pivots. The slit  19  may have a rubber or flexible gasket or seal to prevent debris from falling into the slit  19 . 
         [0029]    The air deflector  11  may be moved between an extended position shown in  FIG. 1B , and a retracted position in  FIG. 1C . In the extended position, the air deflector  11  may deflect air that passes out the air register through the grill. In the retracted position, the air deflector  11  does not deflect any air that passes out of the air register through the grill  10 . In the retracted position, in a preferred embodiment, the air deflector  11  may partially or completed occlude the passage through the damper box at or near the second end  14 . This has the secondary effect of blocking the air vent, or otherwise controlling the flow of the air through the air register when the air deflector  11  is not in use redirecting air. Alternatively, the air register may have a separate device for controlling air flow through it, such as at least one movable louver, which may be used in conjunction with the moveable air deflector to control air. 
         [0030]    Depending on the size and shape of the air duct opening and the depth of the damper box  12 , the damper box  12  may require a tapered portion at the second end  14  to allow enough clearance to permit the air deflector to move into the retracted position. The damper box  12  may also have a protrusion or stop  15  that extend from the side of the damper box  12  to prevent the air deflector from pivoting beyond the retracted position which may be more than is desirable. 
         [0031]    In an embodiment designed to fit to a cylindrical air duct, the grill is circular, and the air deflector and damper box are hemispherical in shape. In this embodiment, the air deflector may be mounted on a ring which may rotate relative to the surrounding surface to allow the redirection of the air in many directions. 
         [0032]    When in any position, the air deflector  11  may be kept in position by friction within the pivoting mechanism. Gaskets at the pivoting points may be used if the inherent friction at the pivoting points is not sufficient to keep the air deflector  11  in place. 
         [0033]    In a preferred embodiment shown in  FIGS. 2A to 2E , the air register may include a grill  20  mounted to a damper box  22 . The damper box  22  may have a passage extending therethrough to allow the passage of air from the air duct. The passage may have a first opening where the grill  20  is mounted to the damper box  22 , and a second opening  27  in fluid communication with an air duct. In their embodiment, the damper box may define a portion of a cylinder cut lengthwise twice, each cut may define an opening to create the passage. 
         [0034]    The air register further may include an air deflector  21  that may be pivotable about a pivot axis  23  using a pivoting device at the pivot points where the pivot axis intersects the air register. In this embodiment, the pivoting device may include an axle  27  between the pivot points, where each end of the axle may be engaged to the sides of the air deflector  21 , and a wheel  26  mounted on the axle  27 . The wheel  26  may be rotated by hand to rotate the axle  27  and the air deflector  21  between a retracted position shown in  FIG. 2C  and an extended position shown in  FIG. 2D . The grill  20  in this embodiment may have a flange, which as a slit  29  through which the deflector may pass when pivoted. 
         [0035]    In this embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 2E , the air deflector  21  may be removable, and may be engaged to the pivoting device manually. When in the extended position, if force is applied to the air deflector  21  in a direction that is roughly parallel to the surface surrounding the air register, the air deflector  21  may disengage from the rest of the device. This feature is a safety precaution to reduce the risk of injury to persons should something become caught on the air deflector  21  when in the extended position. 
         [0036]    A similar embodiment is depicted in  FIG. 3 , in an exploded assembly drawing. In this embodiment, the second opening  34  in the damper box  32  may be positioned off to one side of the damper box, and may not parallel to the grill  30 . 
         [0037]    This air register may be manufactured and sold as a kit, and can be assembled by a purchaser using hand tools. Several clips may be used to attach the damper box  32  to the grill  30 . The air deflector  38  may have a small semicircular recess and a larger concentric semicircular indent at each end of its quarter-circle sides. When assembled, the recesses and indents may engage the knobs  36 . The knob  36  may be kept in place in the damper box using a screw  37 . The air deflector may pivot using the knobs  36  and rotate about the pivot axis. 
         [0038]    The air deflector  31  may have a protruding lip  38  along its upper edge which may connect to the curved top wall  301  of the air deflector  31 . The curved top wall  301  which may be a quarter cylinder shaped wall and may be connected to the side wall  303  which may be a quarter round shaped wall. The sidewall  303  may include an exterior raised surface  305  which may define a slot  307  to cooperate with the pivot axis. When the air deflector is rotated into a retracted position, the protruding lip  38  prevents the air deflector  31  from falling completely below the grill  30 . 
         [0000]    The damper box  32  may include a curved bottom wall  309  which may substantially a half cylinder shaped box and which may include a front protruding lip and may include a back protruding lip to cooperate with the grill  30  and may include a sidewall  311  which may connect to the curved bottom wall  309  and which may be substantially a semi circle in shape. The sidewall  311  may include a raised surface  313  which may include a slot or aperture  315  to cooperate with the pivot axis. The sidewall  311  may include a protruding lip to cooperate with the protruding lip of the curved bottom wall  309  and to provide a support surface for the grill  30 . 
         [0039]    The air deflector  31  may also have a lip that extends from its lower edge. In this embodiment, when the air deflector  31  is pivoted to a retracted position underneath the grill  30 , and the protruding lip  38  is resting flush against the grill  30 , the air deflector may occlude the second opening  34 , preventing or impeding the passage of air from the air duct. The lip may overlap with the damper box  32  to further occlude the passage. 
         [0040]    The air deflector  31  may be rotated to various positions within its rotation range and can be held in those positions by the friction created by the fastening of the parts with the knobs  36  and screws  37 . It can therefore be appreciated that a user can rotate the air deflector  31  to various positions to regulate both the direction and the amount or air flowing through the air register. 
         [0041]    In another embodiment depicted in  FIGS. 4A to 4C , the air register including a grill  40  and a pivotable air deflector  41  further may include a pivotable slit cover  48 , which rests against and pivots with the air deflector when in the extended position shown in  FIG. 4A , but separates from the air deflector  41  when it passes through the slit in the grill  40 . As the air deflector  41  pivots into the retracted position, as shown in  FIG. 4B and 4C , the slit cover  48 , which has a portion that is wider than the width of the slit, separates from the air deflector  41  and rests upon the grill  40 , thereby covering the slit. When the air deflector  41  is pivoted from the retracted to the extended position, the slit cover  48  is carried along with it as it passes through the slit. 
         [0042]    The air deflector, the grill, and the damper box are made of any material suitable for their functions and currently available in the industry. Aluminum, steel and plastics may be particularly useful, separately and in combination, depending on the application. 
         [0043]    This air register may be adapted for use in any application where a fluid, including a gaseous fluid, is moved from a duct to another volume, and it is advantageous to have both a grill covering the duct opening, and an a deflector to redirect the fluid. 
         [0044]    The foregoing description illustrates only certain preferred embodiments of the invention. The invention is not limited to the foregoing examples. That is, persons skilled in the art will appreciate and understand that modifications and variations are, or will be, possible to utilize and carry out the teachings of the invention described herein. Accordingly, all suitable modifications, variations and equivalents are intended to fall within the scope of the claims.