Air register handle arrangement

An air register handle (10) for mounting in an air register arrangement (12) to adjust the volume and/or direction of air flow through the register (12). The handle (10) includes a bracket (22) adapted to extend forwardly of a front plate (40) of the register (12). The bracket (22) is integral with a straight portion (20) adapted to extend rearwardly through a slot (44) on one side of the front plate (40). Handle tabs (24) extend from the straight portion (20) in a plane skewed relative to the plane of the straight portion (20). An arcuate flat portion (26) located rearwardly of the straight portion (20) comprises two arcuate arms (29) forming a slot (28) opening toward the rear of the handle (10). The slot (28) is adapted to receive a pintle (56) connected to a link (54) which interconnects a set of adjustable louvers (52).

DESCRIPTION 
1. Technical Field 
The invention relates broadly to registers of the type used in air 
conditioning, ventilation, and heating systems; and, more particularly, 
relates to handle apparatus for adjusting dampers or like adjustable 
elements so as to regulate the air flow. 
2. Background Art 
Heating, ventilation, air conditioning and similar types of systems 
employing air flow for controlling the environment of enclosed or 
partially enclosed spatial areas typically comprise one or more apertures 
opening into the spatial area. The environmental control is achieved 
through the passage into or out of these apertures. These apertures may be 
located in a wall, ceiling or floor, and provide the openings for ducts or 
similar apparatus through which air flow is directed. It is relatively 
common to install air "registers" at these ducted openings to direct and 
otherwise control the flow of air into the spatial areas. 
Numerous types of air registers are well known and commercially available. 
One aspect common to many of the registers which allow for directional 
and/or volume control of air flow is the use of movable structures which 
permit adjustment of the "open" cross-sectional area of the aperture, or 
otherwise permit directional deflection of air flow. For example, it is 
known to use sets of adjustable louvers or dampers to adjust the open 
cross-sectional area or air flow deflection, thereby controlling the 
volume and direction of air flow. 
For purposes of actual adjustment of these louvers or dampers, various 
types of mechanisms have been developed. For example, some of these known 
adjustment mechanisms are "automatic" and comprise means for louver or 
damper adjustment in response to various environment mental conditions, 
such as the temperature of the spatial area to be controlled. Other 
relatively more common arrangements include manually operable mechanisms 
coupled to the adjustable louvers or dampers for purposes of volume and 
directional air flow adjustment. A number of manually operable mechanisms 
are commercially available. Several of these manual mechanisms include 
separately adjustable devices, with each device interconnected with a 
different one of a series of adjustable louvers. A number of these known 
mechanisms include levers or handles mounted to the sides of the air 
registers, with the levers or handles having a protrusion extending 
through a cover of the register. These levers or handles are often of 
relatively large thicknesses, thereby requiring correspondingly large 
openings to appropriately mount the register handles. 
Other types of manually operable mechanisms having improved structural 
configurations and louver interconnection arrangements have also been 
developed. For example, Parrish, U.S. Pat. No. 2,761,371 issued Sept. 4, 
1956 discloses an air register having a wall plate and a rearwardly 
projecting rectangular frame. The frame includes an outer metal frame and 
an inner metal frame. End plates of the inner frame have inwardly stamped 
bosses positioned in a vertically disposed row. Top and bottom plates of 
the inner frame also have inwardly stamped bosses, with the bosses 
disposed in lengthwise rows along the front edges of the plates. 
The inwardly stamped bosses of the inner frame frictionally mount pintles 
of a rear set of horizontal louvers. Correspondingly, the inwardly stamped 
bosses of the top and bottom plates of the inner frame frictionally mount 
a second set of pintles of a front set of vertically disposed louvers. 
Both the front vertical louvers and the rear vertical louvers are 
independently adjustable. These louvers are described by Parrish as being 
maintained stationary merely by means of the frictional engagement with 
the mounting bosses. 
The louvers are adjustable by means of a key having a notch at one end, 
with the key adapted to be inserted through the center of the wall plate. 
The notch is positioned so that it individually engages each of the 
horizontal louvers, or each of the vertical louvers so as to adjust the 
same. 
The Parrish arrangement also includes what is characterized as a damper 
provided behind the rear horizontal louvers. The damper includes other 
pivotable horizontal louvers, with vertical links pivotably connecting 
these louvers for movement in unison. These louvers include flanges 
connected by pivot axes to end plates of the outer frame. The links are 
also connected at a set of pivot axes to the louver flanges. 
Parrish further describes a vertically "swingable" adjusting arm. The 
adjusting arm includes a slot engaging a pin at a specific pivot location 
so as to provide connection to one of the links. The arm is also 
positioned on one of the end plates of the outer frame, and includes a 
pivotable mounting between this end plate and a retaining plate. The arm 
includes a bearing opening in its front portion, with the adjacent end 
plate having a boss received within the opening. This boss includes a 
central opening, and the retaining plate includes an inwardly stamped boss 
received within the opening. With this arrangement, the arm is 
characterized as being frictionally held in any position to which it may 
be rotated when adjusting the damper. 
For purposes of rotating the arm, the wall plate includes a vertically 
disposed slot through which the key can be inserted. The key includes one 
end having a lug engagable with a notch located at the front portion of 
the arm. Rotation of the arm by means of the key correspondingly moves the 
vertical link through the engagement of the arm. This movement, through 
the pivoting action of the flanges, correspondingly adjusts the position 
of the louvers in unison. 
The lever arrangements disclosed in Parrish and other known manually 
operable mechanisms for adjustment of louver or dampers in air registers 
commonly use levers or other devices protruding through the face of the 
register which directly pivot about a stationary fulcrum. With this type 
of pivot arrangement, a substantial portion of the level will necessarily 
protrude from the face of the register at certain adjustment 
configurations, if the louvers or dampers are to be adjusted throughout a 
relatively complete range of motion with a minimum of manual effort. Such 
protrusions can be a problem with respect to appearance. In addition, such 
protrusions can actually be somewhat dangerous, especially if the register 
is mounted in a floor or wall. 
Other problems associated with air register operating mechanisms also exist 
in a number of the known devices. For example, when a manually operable 
lever is removable, such as in arrangements as disclosed in the Parrish 
patent, the mechanisms can be easily lost. Of potentially greater 
importance, a number of the known air register lever or handle mechanisms 
include a relatively complex assembly configuration. These configurations 
often have a substantial number of moving parts, with numerous 
corresponding interconnections. Accordingly, such complex configurations 
are typically relatively more difficult and expensive to manufacture and 
assemble. In addition to the problems associated with original manufacture 
and assembly, such configurations, with the numerous linkage 
interconnections, will tend to "gum up," especially if utilized in an 
industrial or similar environment with severe environmental conditions, 
such as the existence of dust or like contaminants. 
Still further, these complex mechanisms can be relatively difficult to 
maintain. For example, if a manually operable lever mechanism breaks down 
after the air register has been installed, many of the known mechanisms 
are relatively difficult to replace. Several of these mechanisms require 
either specialized tools or a number of tools for purposes of replacement. 
As a result of the relative difficulty of replacement, the tendency for 
linkage connection points to gum up and the substantial number of parts 
comprising many of these mechanisms, the cost of maintenance can be 
relatively high. 
In addition to the foregoing, a number of known mechanisms are composed of 
heat conductive materials. Accordingly, many of these mechanisms tend to 
expand or contract with the temperature of the air passing through the 
register. Consequently, these mechanisms will tend to bind and become more 
difficult to operate. In fact, it is also possible for such mechanisms to 
become sufficiently hot or cold so that they cannot be comfortably 
manually operated. Finally, a number of these mechanisms are also 
typically constructed of relatively corrosive materials. Accordingly, 
these mechanisms tend to wear relatively rapidly, especially if the air 
registers are employed in severe environments. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
In accordance with the invention, an air register handle is adapted to be 
mounted in an air register arrangement for purposes of regulating air flow 
through the air register arrangement into a spatial environment. The air 
register arrangement can include a frontal face through which air can flow 
into or from the spatial environment. A slot arrangement is located in and 
extends through the frontal face. The slot arrangement is adapted to 
receive the air register handle so that a portion of the handle protrudes 
forwardly of the frontal face. An adjustable mechanism is mounted 
rearwardly of the frontal face so that movement of the adjustable 
mechanism regulates volume and/or direction of air flow through the 
frontal face. 
The air register handle can include a first portion adapted to extend 
through the slot arrangement. A bracket is connected to the first portion 
and adapted to protrude forwardly of the frontal face to provide means for 
a user to manually grasp and operate the air register handle. A tab 
arrangement is interconnected with the first portion and includes a planar 
configuration skewed relative to the planar configuration of the first 
portion. In this manner, substantial movement of the handle forwardly 
toward the frontal face is prevented when the handle is mounted in the air 
register arrangement. A coupling configuration is coupled to the 
adjustable mechanism to exert forces on the adjustable mechanism in 
response to manual forces exerted on the bracket by the user when the 
handle is mounted in the air register arrangement. 
The coupling configuration includes a slot opening toward an end opposing 
an end of the first portion to which the bracket is connected. The slot 
can be of an arcuate shape, and can also curve upwardly from the slot 
opening toward the first portion. Still further, the slot can be formed by 
a pair of rearwardly extending and substantially coplanar arms having a 
fork-shaped configuration. 
The adjustable mechanism can include an interconnection configuration for 
interconnecting the adjustable mechanism to the coupling arrangement when 
the handle is mounted in the air register. With this configuration, the 
slot is adapted to receive the interconnection arrangement so that the 
interconnection arrangement traverses along a path of the slot in response 
to manual forces exerted on the bracket by the user. The interconnection 
arrangement can include a pintle engaging the slot when the handle is 
mounted in the air register. 
More specifically, the adjustable mechanism can include a louver 
arrangement positioned rearwardly of the frontal face and adjustable so as 
to regulate volume and/or direction of air flow through the face. A 
connecting arrangement can interconnect individual ones of the louver 
mechanism so as to provide operation of the individual ones in unison. A 
pintle arrangement can be coupled to the connecting arrangement, and the 
slot can be adapted to receive the pintle arrangement when the handle is 
mounted in the air register. 
The tab arrangement can include a pair of coplanar tabs having a resiliency 
sufficient to as to allow the tab pair to bend toward the plane of the 
first portion when forces are exerted on the handle so as to cause the 
handle to be moved through the air register slot when the handle is 
installed in the air register. The tab arrangement can include at least 
one tab adapted to abut a surface of the air register so as to provide a 
frictional engagement therewith. More specifically, the tab arrangement 
can include a first resilient tab located adjacent a first edge of the 
first portion, and a second resilient tab substantially coplanar with the 
first tab and positioned adjacent a second edge of the first portion. With 
this configuration, the second edge is substantially parallel to the first 
edge. 
The slot arrangement of the air register can include a vertically disposed 
and elongated slot located at one side of the frontal face. The bracket 
can be integral with the first portion and of a size sufficient so as to 
prevent the handle from being pushed rearwardly of the frontal face when 
the handle is mounted in the air register. 
The first portion can include a straight flat portion adapted to extend 
through the slot of the air register. The coupling arrangement can include 
an arcuate flat portion coplanar and integral with the first portion. The 
arcuate flat portion can be of a fork-shaped configuration having a pair 
of substantially parallel and arcuate arms forming a slot at the end of 
the handle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
The principles of the invention are disclosed, by way of example, in an air 
register arrangement 12 as shown in FIGS. 1 through 7 as described in 
detail herein. The air register arrangement 12 includes a handle 10 (FIGS. 
2-7) utilized to adjust the volume and direction of air flow through a 
heating, air conditioning of similar type of ventilation system duct (not 
shown). The air register handle 10 is constructed in a manner so as to 
have a relatively "low" profile, and an aesthetically pleasing appearance. 
In addition, the interconnection of the air register handle 10 to other 
structural components of the register 12 is such that a relatively small 
number of linkage connection points are required, thereby reducing the 
potential of a large number of connection points being "gummed up." 
Still further, the operation of the air register handle 10 with the other 
components of the register arrangement 12 comprises a relatively smooth 
acting mechanism. The interconnection arrangement of the handle 10 with 
the other components of the register 12 also provides for a relatively 
small number of parts, and relative ease of replacement since the 
connection arrangement utilizes a "snap-in" configuration, with no 
requirement of tools for purposes of replacement. These and other 
advantages of the air register handle 10 with the register arrangement 12 
in accordance with the invention will be more fully apparent with the 
understanding of the details of the invention as set forth in subsequent 
paragraphs herein. 
The air register 12 is in substantial part of a relatively conventional 
design and adapted for use in a floor, wall, ceiling, or other similar 
area for providing air flow into an enclosed or partially enclosed spatial 
area from heating, air conditioning or similar types of ventilation 
systems, thereby providing environmental control. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 
3, the register 12 comprises a front plate 40 having vertically disposed 
fixed "flutes" or louvers 42 which form fixedposition ventilation 
apertures. The front plate 40 also includes a vertically disposed 
elongated slot 44 through which the air register handle 10 protrudes in 
part for purposes of manual operation. 
As will be described in greater detail subsequently herein, the air 
register handle 10 includes a rectangular bracket 22 having a relatively 
large cross section as shown in FIGS. 1, 3, 4 and 5. This relatively large 
cross section of bracket 22 prevents the handle 10 from passing completely 
through the elongated slot 44 in a direction toward the air flow duct. 
Details of other elements of the specific structural configuration of the 
air register handle 10 in accordance with the invention will be described 
in subsequent paragraphs herein. The register 12 can be secured to the 
floor, wall or ceiling, by the use of connecting means such as screws or 
the like (not shown) received through the mounting holes 46. 
Referring to FIGS. 2A, 2B, 2C and 3, the air register arrangement 12 
includes a rectangular frame 48 which projects rearwardly from the front 
plate 40, with a relatively smaller cross section with respect to the 
front plate 40. The frame 48 can be secured to the front plate 40 by any 
of several suitable connecting arrangements, such as a weldment or the 
like. Frame tabs 50 further extend rearwardly from two opposing sides of 
the rectangular frame 48, and parallel to the elongated slot 44. The frame 
tabs 50 each includes an aperture 59. As shown further in FIGS. 2A, 2B, 
2C, 3 and 6, a series of parallel and adjustable ventilation louvers 52 
are mounted rearwardly of the rectangular frame 48. Each of the adjustable 
louvers 52 includes a transversely mounted axis located adjacent and 
parallel to one edge of the louver 52, and having its two opposing 
terminating ends pivotably engaged with a corresponding set of the 
apertures 59 of the frame tabs 50. 
A second transverse axis extends adjacent and parallel to an opposing edge 
of each of the adjustable louvers 52. One terminating end of each second 
axis is pivotably secured to one of a series of vertically disposed 
apertures 60 in a connecting link 54 which acts to interconnect each of 
the adjustable louvers 52. In this manner, forces exerted on the 
connecting link will cause simultaneous operation of the ventilation 
louvers. Although not shown in detail, the pivotable interconnections of 
the transversely mounted axes with the apertures 59 and 60 can be achieved 
by means of appropriately sized bosses, extending tabs or similar 
structures which extend slightly laterally outward from the sides of the 
louvers 52. However, it is apparent that numerous other types of pivotable 
interconnection arrangements can be utilized. 
Referring specifically to FIGS. 4 and 5, an illustrative embodiment of the 
structural configuration of the air register handle 10 in accordance with 
the invention comprises a straight flat portion 20 and an arcuate flat 
portion 26, coplanar therewith. The rectangular bracket 22 extends 
perpendicularly from one end of the straight flat portion 20. Two handle 
tabs 24 extend from the straight flat portion 20 in a plane slightly 
skewed from the plane of the straight flat portion. The plane of the 
handle tabs 24 and the relative dimensions of the same should provide for 
some friction between the ends of the tabs 24 and the surfaces of plate 40 
and frame 48 at friction points 58. The arcuate flat portion 26 can be 
characterized as having a fork-shaped configuration, whereby two 
essentially parallel and arcuate arms 29 form an open slot 28 at the end 
of the handle 10 opposing the end to which the rectangular bracket 22 is 
secured. The open-ended slot 28 will also have an arcuate configuration, 
conforming to the curve of the arms 29. 
The interconnection of the air register handle 10 with the air register 
arrangement 12 will now be described primarily with respect to FIGS. 2A, 
2B, 2C and 3. As shown therein, the air register handle 10 is disposed 
through the elongated slot 44 of the front plate 40, such that the 
rectangular bracket 22 is located outwardly from and adjacent to the front 
plate 40. Again, the size of the rectangular bracket 22 should be such 
that it prevents the air register handle 10 from being pulled completely 
through the elongated slot 44. At the opposing end of the register handle 
10, the open-ended slot 28 engages a pintle 56 projecting laterally 
outward from the vertically disposed connecting link 54. The handle tabs 
24 are interposed in the space between the handle portion 20 and the 
rectangular frame 48 such that the ends of the tabs 24 abut the 
intersection of the surface of one side of the rectangular frame 48 and 
the rear surface of the front plate 40 at friction points 58. With the 
handle tabs 24 located as shown, the handle 10 is prevented from forward 
movement outwardly of the front surface of the front plate 40. 
The operation of the air register 10 in accordance with the invention will 
now be described primarily with respect to FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C. To adjust 
the spatial configuration and angle of the adjustable louvers 52, the user 
operates the handle 10 by grasping the rectangular bracket 22 and exerting 
forces in a direction so as to manually slide the bracket 22 in a 
rectilinear manner along the elongated slot 44 of the front plate 40. It 
should also be noted that thumb pressure on the sloped surface of the 
bracket 22 will result in forces of an appropriate direction so as to 
cause the handle 10 to slide in the corresponding direction. 
The force exerted in moving the handle 10 rectilinearly is somewhat opposed 
by the friction generated at friction points 58, and may also be opposed 
by friction between the rear surface of rectangular bracket 22 and the 
front plate 40. The curvature or slope of the handle slot 28, relative to 
the interconnection dimensions of the adjustable louvers 52 and their 
pivot centers, causes vertical forces exerted on the rectangular bracket 
22 by the user to be translated to forces exerted by the connecting link 
54 on the louvers. The forces exerted by the connecting link 54 cause the 
adjustable louvers 52 to pivot about their first and second transverse 
axes, thereby causing the adjustable louvers 52 to rotate between open and 
closed positions as shown in FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C. The rectilinear motion 
of the handle 10 thus facilitates the rotational motion of the adjustable 
louvers 52 in a straightforward manner with no interconnecting linkages 
and a simplicity of motion. Furthermore, the user can leave the louvers at 
any degree of desired opening by simply stopping the relative motion of 
the handle. The handle 10 and interconnected adjustable louvers 52 
maintain the desired position by means of the frictional engagement of 
various portions of the handle 10 with other components of the air 
register handle 12 as previously described. It should be emphasized that 
no lubrication is necessary or desired because of the necessity of 
maintaining the friction. 
The handle 10 can be made of any suitable material that will maintain 
stiffness in the presence of heat, such as that emanating from a heating 
duct, yet at the same time maintain appropriate elastomer qualities to 
provide sufficient friction at the primary friction points 58. For 
example, the handle 10 can be constructed by an injection molding process, 
with a polymer containing 33% glass filled nylon. However, numerous other 
manufacturing processes and materials can be employed without departing 
from the novel concepts of the invention. 
The open slot 28 at the end of the curved flat portion 26 of the handle 10 
and the relative thickness of the handle 10 with respect to the elongated 
slot 44 of the register 12 provides simple installation. As shown in FIG. 
7, the handle 10 can be installed by pushing the flat portions of the 
handle through the elongated slot 44, and aligning the open slot 28 on the 
end of the handle with the pintle 56. A simple thrust of the handle 
through the slot 44 will cause the handle tabs 24 to snap into place as 
shown in FIG. 6, such that the handle 10 can neither be pushed nor pulled 
through the slot 44 and is restricted only to the rectilinear motion which 
adjusts the louvers 52. 
It is apparent that the air register handle 10 as described above is simple 
in design and construction, thereby maintaining relatively low costs of 
manufacture, installation and maintenance. Another advantage of the 
invention can be seen in the low profile of the rectangular bracket 22 
extending forward of the front plate 40. This configuration is 
aesthetically pleasing and safer, particularly in a situation where it is 
utilized with a floor register. 
In addition to the advantages described above, it is also apparent that 
when the handle is constructed of nonconductive materials, the operator 
can much more comfortably adjust the louvers, whether from a heat duct or 
a cooling duct, because the handle will much more closely maintain the 
ambient temperature, unlike metallic and other conductive levers or 
handles. 
In addition to the foregoing, it should also be noted that with the handle 
10 in a fixed position within the air register 12, the handle 10 will not 
be readily removable and potentially lost. Also, it is apparent from the 
foregoing that the handle 10 and the interconnection of the handle 10 with 
the air register 12 involves a relatively small number of moving parts, 
with a relatively small number of corresponding interconnections. 
Accordingly, with these few interconnection locations, the potential for 
the operation of the handle 10 to "gum up" is relatively small. Further, 
it should be noted that installation of the handle 10 with the register 12 
does not include any specialized or other tools. 
It will be apparent to those skilled in the pertinent art that other 
embodiments of an air register handle in accordance with the invention can 
be designed. Modifications and other variations of the illustrative 
embodiment of the invention may be effected without departing from the 
spirit and scope of the novel concepts of the invention.