Headliner vent housing

Systems and methods for a vent are described herein. In some embodiments, a vent may be configured to be positioned in an opening in a surface. The vent may include flexible members configured to inhibit extraction of the vent from the opening once positioned in the opening. The vent may include at least one vane. The vanes may rotate such that, during use, the vanes function to control the direction of fluids conveyed through the vent. In some embodiments, vane(s) may include at least one anti-uncoupling device on a vane to prevent overly exerted forces applied onto the vane by a vent operator from uncoupling the vane from its mating frame axle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to vents (a.k.a. louvers or registers) through which fluid (e.g., air) flows through the vent. More particularly, the invention relates to both the mobile and unitary air conditioning and heating industry whereby the fluid may include forced air blowing through openings in either an exterior or interior decorative surfaced mounted vent device.

2. Description of Related Art

Vents may be use to control the flow of fluid. Vents may be either fixed or variable to control the direction of air from a forced air device such as an air conditioning system or heated by a heating system. Vents may be use to direct other fluids from a supplied forced air circulating system into a defined space, containing unit, or an open space. Vents may be used for other situations and with different fluids.

Vents typically include a base and a series of louvered vanes or blades. The number of vanes/blades may vary from one to several. One or more vanes may be fixed or movable to facilitate the direction of fluids passing through the vent as a unit. The vent may be made as one piece unit with at least one or more vanes fixed or the vent may be made in separate component parts. The separate component parts may include one or more vanes used as fixed components or movable components comprising a series of vanes to control the direction of the air flow. The base housing may be stationary or movable. The base housing may be fastened to or attached to a wall, panel, or surface of a structure. The louver/vent component parts and/or the vanes may move (e.g., rotate) relative to the base housing. Adjustment of the louver vanes may control the direction of the fluid flow. In some embodiments the movable vanes may be used to control the amount of flowing fluid or close off the flow of the fluid passing through the vent.

SUMMARY

Embodiments described herein generally relates to systems and methods for providing fluid flow from air circulating systems.

In some embodiments, a vent may include a base housing, at least one vane, and at least two protrusions (e.g., coupled to a wall coupled to the rear surface of the base housing). The vane may be coupled to the base housing. The vane may be configured to influence the direction of fluids conveyed towards the vent. At least two of the protrusions (i.e., protruding from the back plane of the base housing) may be coupled to the base housing. In some embodiments, at least two of the protrusions may be perpendicular to the base housing. At least two of the protrusions may include a flexible member perpendicular to the base housing coupled to the protrusions. The flexible members may include a lower edge facing the base housing at an oblique angle to base housing. The flexible members may be biased away from a central axis perpendicular to the base housing.

In some embodiments, the vent may include a frame coupled to the housing base. The frame may function to rotate relative to the base. At least one vane may be coupled to the frame such that the vane is substantially immovable or in some embodiments, the vane may be coupled such that the at least one vane rotates with the frame. In some embodiments, at least one vane is coupled to the frame using at least two frame axles such that the at least one vane rotates out of the plane of and relative to the frame. At least one of the vanes may rotate relative to the at least two frame axles to inhibit fluid being conveyed through the vent when the at least one vane is in a closed position. The frame may be coupled to the housing base by one or more flexible protrusions to position the frame relative to the housing. In some embodiments, one or more of the flexible protrusions may include an extended end. The extended end may contact the frame to inhibit any repositioning of the frame and at least one vane once set by a user.

In some embodiments, the vent may include at least one “U” shape protrusion coupled to at least one of the vanes such that the “U” shaped protrusion forms a friction fit with the frame axle such that the vane rotates relative to the frame axle during use.

In some embodiments, the vent may include an anti-uncoupling device configured to inhibit at least one vane in an opened position from uncoupling from the frame axle during use.

In some embodiments, the vent may be a portion of an air conditioning or heating system of a unitary unit of a building.

In some embodiments, the vent may be a portion of a ventilation air conditioning system of a vehicle.

In some embodiments, at least a portion of the vent is made of plastic resins, metal, environmentally renewable composite materials and/or a combination thereof.

In some embodiments, the vent may include one or more spring like members configured to bias the flexible members outwards to assist the flexible members to engage a surface once positioned in an opening of the surface.

In some embodiments, the lower oblique edge of the flexible members engage a surface once positioned in an opening of the surface.

In some embodiments, the vent may include a plurality of secondary protrusions coupled to the lower edge of at least one of the flexible members. The secondary protrusions may engage a surface once positioned in an opening of the surface.

In some embodiments, the lower edge of the flexible members may function to engage a surface of a wall comprising a range of thicknesses.

In some embodiments, the vent may include at least one spring-like member coupled to an outer surface of at least one of the protrusions coupled to the base housing. At least one of the spring-like protrusions may be biased away from a central axis perpendicular to the base housing such that the at least one spring-like protrusion is configured to center the vent within an opening.

In some embodiments, at least a portion of the vent is formed from United States Department of Agriculture approved materials.

In some embodiments, a method of installing a vent in an opening may include positioning a vent in an opening in a first surface. The method may include rotating in a first direction, during positioning of the vent, a base housing of the vent such that at least two protrusions coupled to the base housing rotate with the base housing. In some embodiments, it is not necessary to rotate the base housing in order to lock the vent in a panel hole. At least two of the protrusions may be perpendicular to the base housing. At least two of the protrusions may include a flexible member substantially perpendicular to the base housing coupled to the protrusions. The flexible members may include a lower edge facing the base housing at an oblique angle to the base housing such that the flexible member is tapered in a second direction opposite to the first direction. The flexible members may be biased away from a central axis perpendicular to the base housing.

In some embodiments, a method may include rotating in the second direction the base housing after the vent is positioned in the opening such that the lower edge engages second surface, opposite to the first surface, such that the flexible members inhibit removal of the vent from the opening

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It is to be understood the present invention is not limited to particular devices or biological systems, which may, of course, vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to be limiting. As used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” include singular and plural referents unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to “a linker” includes one or more linkers.

Definitions

The term “connected” as used herein generally refers to pieces which may be joined or linked together.

The term “coupled” as used herein generally refers to pieces which may be used operatively with each other, or joined or linked together, with or without one or more intervening members.

The term “directly” as used herein generally refers to one structure in physical contact with another structure, or, when used in reference to a procedure, means that one process effects another process or structure without the involvement of an intermediate step or component.

The term “fluid” as used herein generally refers to a gas, a liquid, an emulsion, a slurry, and/or a stream of liquid or solid particles that have similar characteristics as a liquid flow.

FIG. 1depicts an embodiment of a front perspective view of a vent with its closed directional fluid control vanes centered in the base housing.FIG. 1depicts an embodiment of a front perspective view of a round vent (a.k.a. louver or register) assembled. The embodiment depicted inFIG. 1is that of a round vent, however, this embodiment should not be seen as limiting. A vent may be formed in any shape deemed appropriate for a particular use. A vent may include a base housing1. A vent may include one or more vanes. In some embodiments, a vent may include two or more vanes. The vent depicted inFIG. 1includes two vanes2and3shown in their closed position within base housing1.

In some embodiments, a vane may include an opening and/or recess. The opening and/or recess may allow an operator to more easily engage the vent. As depicted inFIG. 1vane2may include recess well4. Recess well4may function to indicate to an operator where to apply the initial force by the operator to open the vent to allow fluid (e.g., forced air) to pass through. The operator may apply force by using his finger to engage recess well4. Fluids (e.g., forced air), in some embodiments, may be supplied by an air circulating system that conveys fluids from a rear of the vent to and through a front of the vent through opened fluid directional vanes during use.

In some embodiments, a vent may include decorative elements. Decorative elements may make a normally utilitarian vent more pleasing to the eye. In some embodiments, decorative elements may include decorative grooves5. Decorative grooves5are only as an example positioned on the showing surfaces of such a designed vent.

In some embodiments, a vent may include a system for coupling the vent to, for example, a wall, a floor, and/or a ceiling. A system may include protrusions6. Protrusions6may include flexible membranes. Flexible membranes may include wing-like members. Protrusions6may function to contain a vent within substrate panel/wall20(e.g., depicted inFIG. 6thru9). A vent may be positioned in opening21(e.g., circular) in substrate panel/wall20. Opening21may include openings with any shape appropriate for (e.g., consistent with) the vent being positioned in the opening. The opening may be of other configurations to accommodate other various wing-like protrusions6to latch the vent housing within such configured opening in a panel or wall. Protrusions6may be coupled to base housing rear support wall7. Wall7, in some embodiments, is circular in shape for inserting into opening21in an interior fabricated panel20(e.g., of a vehicle).

FIG. 2depicts a top view of the embodiment depicted inFIG. 1.FIG. 2depicts a detailed profile of protrusion6coupled to wall7. In some embodiments, wall7comprises member8. Member8may be spring-like in nature to retract outward from the center of vent1to allow for, during assembly, the insertion of frame9into the rear of base housing1(e.g., the assembled form is depicted inFIG. 5) within the three circular protrusion support walls7. Protrusion support walls7may be of any shape including square or rectangular.

In some embodiments, protrusions6may include secondary protrusions6A. Protrusions6A may be positioned along one or more edges of protrusion6. Protrusions6A may function to assist protrusion6to engage the back side of panel20when a vent is positioned in opening21(e.g., as depicted inFIG. 9).

In some embodiments, wall7may include member19. Member19may be flexible and generally spring-like in nature. Member19may assist and accommodate any differences in opening21tolerances. Member19may be designed as in this example on a taper. Member19may keep base housing1and its wall protrusions7of a vent centered and firmly held within opening21.

FIG. 3depicts an embodiment of a front perspective view of a vent with fluid directing vanes2and3in full open position. With vanes2and3open, a rear supplied forced air may now pass through the openings between vanes2and3in the center area of a vent.

FIG. 4depicts an embodiment of a top view of a vent with fluid directing vanes2and3in full open position. The rear supplied forced air may pass through the openings between the vanes2and3.

FIG. 5depicts an embodiment of a rear perspective view of a vent with fluid directing vanes2and3in full open position. Vanes2and3may operated together moved to any position from fully closed to fully open position and any where in between by connecting link10. Connecting link10may include protruding axles10A. Protruding axles10A may be designed for coupling vanes2and3at a desired distance while the vanes rotates. In some embodiments, connecting axles10A may be inserted into protrusions2C and3C. Protrusions2C and3C may be flexible and generally spring-like in nature. Protrusions2C and3C may be attached on the rear side of vanes2and3respectively. In some embodiments, as connecting link axles10A are pushed between protrusions2C and3C and down the protrusions declining ramp2D and3D in which the connecting link axles10A may snap into protrusions2C and3C openings2E and3E. In some embodiments, one may find assembling link10while vanes2and3are in a closed position (e.g., depicted inFIG. 8) easier than if the vanes were in an open position. This completes the assembly of the connecting link to each vane.

Vanes2and3(e.g., as depicted inFIG. 5) may be assembled onto a circular frame9that comprises a set of axles9A. Each vane2and3may include one or more protrusions. The vanes protrusions may include a spring-like “U” shape. Protrusions2A and3A may be positioned at each rotation point. Protrusions2A and3A may be in alignment to each other to receive the insertion of circular frame axles9A during assembly. Axles9A may be inserted between “U” shape protrusions2A and3A until the ends of the “U” shape features snaps back around each axle9A. These “U” shape features2A and3A may have some degree of friction between the “U” surface and the perimeter surfaces of axles9A that holds the vanes in a desired opened position and allows the vanes to rotate on axles9A (e.g., as depicted inFIGS. 11A-BandFIG. 12).

In some embodiments, located at the end of each axle9A may be protrusion9B. Protrusion9B may include an extended semi-circle. Protrusion9B may be designed to mate with and lock under each vane protrusion2B and3B. Protrusion2B and3B may be “L” shaped. Protrusion9B may be designed to mate with and lock under each vane protrusion2B and3B when the vanes are in an open position (e.g., as depicted inFIGS. 11A-Bclose-up view with vanes in closed position andFIG. 12with vanes in fully opened position).

In some embodiments, at least one of the vanes may include ridge2F. Ridge2F may include a circular raised ridge. Ridge2F may be positioned on the circular perimeter of vane2(e.g., as depicted inFIG. 5). This circular protrusion may be used for the purpose of reducing any forced air leakage between vane2perimeter and the inside surface of the circular frame9when the vane is in fully closed position (e.g., as depicted inFIG. 1).

FIG. 6depicts an embodiment of a front perspective view of a vent with the vent positioned in an illustrative panel section. InFIG. 6a vent assembly housing1is depicted in a sectional partition or fabricated panel20with housing1's vanes2and3in full closed position. Panel20has a circular opening21(e.g., as depicted inFIG. 8) in which the vent assembly housing1is inserted and held into the panel.

FIG. 7depicts an embodiment of a top view of a vent in a panel section.FIG. 7is a top view of the embodiment depicted inFIG. 6showing member6has repositioned back outward toward its original position after the members6have passed through the panel opening21(e.g., as depicted inFIG. 9). This view also depicts an illustration of an embodiment including protrusions6A along the bottom edge of member6to assist in grasping onto the rear surface of panel20. Different protrusion configurations may be designed to better serve this purpose (e.g., depending on the surface to which the protrusions are configured to engage). Furthermore, this view depicts an embodiment including spring-like member19. Member19may be used to assist in centering and holding the vent housing1within a panel opening21especially useful if the opening is cut out slightly larger to an upper acceptable tolerance size. The spring-like member may be designed with a taper with an inclined surface. There may be one spring-like tapered member19on each of the three support circular wall protrusions7. One may see as the circular upright support wall or protrusions7pass into panel opening21, spring-like member19may adjust/bend outward or inward to accommodate the tolerances of the hole for better secured fitness of the housing within opening21.

FIG. 8depicts an embodiment of a rear view of a vent in panel section20.FIG. 8shows the rear view with the vent vanes2and3in fully closed position in a panel section. The embodiment depicted inFIG. 8depicts circular frame9positioned within three circular support walls/protrusions7. Circular frame9may be held in this position on the back side of the vent housing1by a serration of snap lugs8A (e.g., three lugs are depicted in the embodiment inFIG. 8). In some embodiments, when frame9is pushed down and into the back side of vent housing1, the sloped surfaces on snap lugs8A may allow members8(e.g., as depicted inFIG. 5) on protrusions7to bend or retract outward to allow the ends of the snap lugs8A to pass by the circular perimeter edge of frame9. Upon the perimeter edge and perimeter surface passing by the ends of snap lugs8A, the snap lugs may spring back by members8and pass over frame ledge9D (e.g., as depicted inFIG. 5). The return of the snap lugs over frame ledge9D may secure and hold frame9in its position in the rear of vent housing1.

In some embodiments, one may desire by design to have the ends of snap lugs8A to come in contact or touch frame surface9E to add some degree of friction between the ends of snap lugs8A in contact with frame surface9E. The purpose of this is to help hold the desired position of opened vanes2and3in a desired position in relation to vent housing1positioned in panel20. Often times a vent assembly may experience vibrations (e.g., due to a panel installed in a vehicle). One may change the opened vanes2and3to another desired position to allow the forced air direction flow in another direction. This direction of forced air can be made during the rotation of the circular frame9with vanes2and3within the vent housing in either direction. The operator of the vent assembly may change the air flow direction by grasping opened vanes2and3and twist/rotate the sub assembly of vanes on frame9in vent housing1. The final position set by the operator may be held by snap lugs8A in contact with frame ledge9D and surface9E. Vanes2and3may also be set at a desired position between a fully open and a fully closed position (e.g., seeFIG. 3andFIG. 4).

FIG. 9depicts an embodiment of a rear perspective view of a vent in panel section20. The embodiment depicted inFIG. 9illustrates wing-like members6securing the vent housing1within the panel opening21by expanding outward until the wing-like members come in contact with the opening's edge18. Member nubs6A may function to assist in further engaging the rear surface of opening21.

FIG. 10depicts an embodiment of a rear perspective view of a vent. Connecting link10may include side stop protrusion10B. Protrusion10B may function to help stop or limit the opening of the vanes. Protrusion10B may be designed with a different height to stop by interference connecting link10coming into contact with back edge3F of vane3(e.g., depicted inFIG. 5). The height of the stop protrusion may determine where vanes2and3will stop opening during its rotation on frame axles9A.

FIG. 11Adepicts an embodiment of a portion of the closed vanes coupled to the vane circular frame axles and each vane's anti-uncoupling device in an initial position.FIG. 11Ais a perspective view of a vanes snap-in “U” shaped2A and3A protrusions and circular frame axles9A coupled within.FIG. 11Adepicts the vanes fully closed. When axles9A are forced into “U” shaped vanes protrusions2A and3A semi-circular axle end protrusions9B may be allowed to pass by the ends of each vane anti-uncoupling inverted “L” shape cantle lever protrusion2B and3B while the vanes are assembled onto circular frame9in a closed position arrangement.

FIG. 12depicts an embodiment of a portion of fully open vane position with respect to the vane circular frame axles and each vane's anti-uncoupling device in an engaged position.FIG. 12is another still closer perspective view of the vanes snap-in “U” shape protrusions and the circular frame and its axles coupled together with the vanes in fully opened position. In this view with vanes2and3fully opened the anti-uncoupling cantle lever protrusions2B and3B are engaged with circular frame axle's semi-circle ends9B. In some embodiments, the purpose of the anti- uncoupling feature is to prevent a possibility of the vanes from uncoupling from the frame axles9A should there be excessive force applied while the vent operator grasps both opened vanes at the same time (e.g., squeezing an opposingly applied forces in the direction toward each vane) and while rotating together vanes2and3and it's circular frame9within vent housing1to another desired air flow position.

Whereas described above as spring like members such as the wing-like members6, the side spring-like snap lugs8and8A device, and the hole tolerance spring-like tapered member19may be formed using materials such as plastic molded resins, glass filled plastic resins, metal, or using acceptable environmental renewable materials in a plastic resin suitable for its applications. Other portions of a vent may be formed from less flexible materials known to one skilled in the art, although of course flexible materials may be used as well. Materials may be chosen not only for their innate construction properties but their cost effectiveness as well.