Abstract:
An apparatus for directing air away from a register grill includes a shroud covering that is applied over the grill and a flexible conduit that is attached over an opening provided in the shroud. The flexible conduit is used to discharge air away from the grill where desired. A plurality of flexible conduits may be used with each grill. If desired, a detachable cover is used to obstruct air flow out of a discharge end of each flexible conduit. According to a modification, a section of rigid conduit is used in place of the flexible conduit. An intermediate section that is adapted to flex is attached to the shroud and disposed intermediate the grill and the rigid conduit to allow directional placement of the rigid conduit, where desired. The shroud is attached to the grill by screw fasteners, adhesive, magnetic means, or otherwise, as desired or it may be formed as an integral part of a replacement type of grill.

Description:
This application claims benefit of Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/585,440, that was filed on Jul. 6, 2004, confirmation number 5996. 

   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention, in general, relates to space heating and cooling systems and, more particularly, to directing air out of an air duct register. 
   Air ducts and the registers that cover them are well known in the heating and cooling industry. The ducts include conduits that are used to convey heated, cooled, or otherwise conditioned air (for example when moisture has either been added or removed from the air) throughout various rooms and areas of a structure. The structure includes any type of home, apartment, mobile home, recreational vehicle, or other type of residence, or it includes any office, retail outlet, or other type of commercial building. 
   The register includes a grill that covers an exposed end of each duct. Because air that is passing through the duct(s) is under a slight positive pressure, the registers are sometimes referred to as “forced air” registers. The area where the register is located is sometimes referred to as a “register outlet”. 
   Registers are commonly disposed on wall surfaces or, alternately, on floor surfaces. The register includes a grill. The grill includes a plurality of openings through which air passes. The register (grill) may include a series of angled members that are used to direct the air in a general direction, usually either left or right or up or down, with respect to the register. 
   The register may also include a mechanical damper that can be partially closed to restrict an amount of air passing through the register or closed entirely to block virtually all of the air that is passing through the register. This is to control the amount of heating or cooling that is occurring and is useful in better regulating room temperature when either “hot spots” or “cold spots” occur. 
   While the above system of ducts and registers is useful in conveying treated air (heated or cooled) to a desired location, it does not take into account the effect that room furnishings have on the ability of the heating or cooling system to release the treated air into a desired space. 
   For example, a headboard of a bed disposed adjacent to a register in a wall can substantially impede the register from heating or cooling the room. 
   Similarly, a recliner type of a chair that is disposed over a floor mounted register can significantly obstruct the air flow occurring through the register and adversely affect the heating or cooling of the room. 
   Accordingly, there exists today a need for an air duct expander that helps ameliorate the above-mentioned difficulties. 
   Clearly, such an apparatus would be a useful and desirable device. 
   2. Description of Prior Art 
   Registers are, in general, known. The only known prior art supplemental type of a device includes a deflector that adheres magnetically to a register grill and which helps direct the air in a general direction. While the structural arrangements of the known prior types of devices may, at first appearance, have similarities with the present invention, they differ in material respects. These differences, which will be described in more detail hereinafter, are essential for the effective use of the invention and which admit of the advantages that are not available with the prior devices. 
   OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   It is an object of the present invention to provide an air duct expander that is adapted for use with existing types of registers. 
   It is also an important object of the invention to provide an air duct expander that allows for greater versatility in the placement of furniture and other objects proximate the register. 
   Another object of the invention is to provide an air duct expander that is adapted for use as a replacement type of a register. 
   Still another object of the invention is to provide an air duct expander that is adapted to direct forced air through a register and to release the air into a room at a location that is distally disposed with respect to a register outlet that is disposed at a floor or wall surface. 
   Still yet another object of the invention is to provide an air duct expander that includes at least one conduit. 
   Yet another important object of the invention is to provide an air duct expander that is adapted to pass under or around furniture. 
   Still yet another important object of the invention is to provide an air duct expander that is unobtrusive in its appearance. 
   A first continuing object of the invention is to provide an air duct expander that prevents blockage of a register. 
   A second continuing object of the invention is to provide an air duct expander that includes at least one flexible conduit. 
   A third continuing object of the invention is to provide an air duct expander that is adapted for use with either a wall register or a floor register. 
   Briefly, an air duct expander that is constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention has a register shroud that is adapted for placement over an end of an air duct register. At least one conduit is attached to the shroud and is adapted to discharge a quantity of air that is passing through the air duct at a distal location with respect to the shroud. The expander is adapted for attachment on an existing register grill or it can replace the existing register grill. Various modifications and methods of attachment are described. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a view in perspective of an air duct expander attached to a wall register. 
       FIG. 2  is a view in perspective of a register grill. 
       FIG. 3  is a view in cross-section of a modified shroud for use with the air duct expander. 
       FIG. 4  is a view in perspective of a second modified shroud for use with the air duct expander. 
       FIG. 5  is a view in perspective of a modified air duct expander attached to a wall register. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   Referring to all of the drawings and in particular now to  FIG. 1  is shown, an air duct expander, identified in general by the reference numeral  10 . 
   A register grill  12  (see  FIG. 2 ) is attached to a wall  14 . The air duct expander  10  is equally adapted for use when the register grill  12  is on a floor. The description herein applies equally for use with either a floor or wall type of register grill  12 . Use of the air duct expander  10  on a floor mounted register grill  12  can be visualized if the wall  14  is momentarily considered instead to be the floor. 
   The register grill  12  includes a plurality of openings  16  (shown in dashed lines) through which heated or cooled air flows under pressure and is normally discharged into the room. 
   To illustrate the utility of the air duct expander  10 , an object  18  is disposed directly in front of the register grill  12 . The object  18 , absent the air duct expander  10 , would obstruct the flow of air through the register grill  12 . 
   It is assumed that a duct end [not shown], which includes a conduit, terminates behind the register grill  12  and is used to supply air under a slight positive pressure to the register grill  12 . The conduit receives cooled or heated air from an air conditioner or hot air furnace or any apparatus capable of heating or cooling the air, as desired. Typically, a fan is used to supply the slight positive pressure that is required to urge the air through the conduit and out the register grill  12  when either heated or cooled air is demanded. 
   A shroud  20  is disposed over the register grill  12 . The shroud  20 , according to a first embodiment, covers all of the openings  16 . The shroud  20  is a substantially planar base member that is attached to the register grill  12  by any of a variety of methods, as are described in greater detail hereinafter. The remaining component parts of the air duct expander  10  are attached to the shroud  20 . 
   A first opening  22  and a second opening  24  are provided through the shroud  20 . A first ring  26  is attached to the shroud  20  around the first opening  22  and a second ring  28  is attached to the shroud around the second opening  24 . 
   A first flexible conduit  30  includes a register end  30   a  and a distal end  30   b . The register end  30   a  fits around the first ring  26  and is secured thereto, either by friction, adhesive, or by a hose clamp (not shown). 
   A second flexible conduit  32  also includes a register end  32   a  and a distal end  32   b . The register end  32   a  fits around the second ring  28  and is similarly secured thereto, either by friction, adhesive, or by a second hose clamp (not shown). 
   While the length of the first flexible conduit  30  and the second flexible conduit  32  is a variable or can be cut to length as preferred, a typical length for each will include at least a few feet, sufficient to permit placement of each where desired so that the distal ends  30   b ,  32   b  are disposed away from and sufficiently beyond the obstruction caused by the object  18 . 
   When air (heated, cooled, or otherwise conditioned) is flowing through the register grill  12 , it is prevented from being discharged into the room proximate the register grill  12  by the shroud  20 . The air instead passes through the plurality of openings  16  in the register grill  12 , through the first and second openings  22 ,  24  in the shroud  20 , and into the first and second flexible conduits  30 ,  32  where it exits at the distal ends  30   b ,  32   b , thereof, as shown by arrows  33 . 
   As mentioned above, there are a variety of methods available for attaching the shroud  20  to the register grill  12 . According to  FIG. 1 , a pair of register mounting screws  34  (only one shown) that are disposed on opposite sides of the register grill  12  and which are used to secure the register grill  12  in position on the wall  14  (or floor) are loosened and pass through holes provided in tabs that extend from the shroud  20 . If desired, longer replacement screws may be substituted for the register mounting screws  34 . 
   Referring momentarily to  FIG. 3 , a modified shroud  50  is shown. The modified shroud  50  is a view in cross-section taken across a center of the first ring  26  thereof. The modified shroud  50  includes a perimeter lip  52  that extends fully around the entire perimeter of the modified shroud  50 . An adhesive  54  is provided along the bottom edge of the perimeter lip  52 . 
   The adhesive  54  is used to fasten (i.e., adhere) the modified shroud  50  to an exposed surface the register grill  12  that extends beyond the plurality of openings  16 . A peel off strip  56 , shown in part, is first removed to expose the adhesive  54 , and the modified shroud  50  is then placed on the register grill  12  surface so that it covers the plurality of openings  16 . 
   If desired, magnets  58  can be attached where desired to the modified shroud  50  and used to magnetically attach (i.e., secure) the modified shroud  50  to the register grill  12 . The magnets  58  are useful if the register grill  12  is formed of a ferrous material. 
   Referring momentarily now to  FIG. 4 , a second modified shroud  100  is provided that is adapted to cover a portion of the register grill  12 . A preferred type of the second modified shroud  100  is adapted to cover one-half of the register grill  12 . The second modified shroud  100  includes a pair of modified tabs  102  that extend from opposite sides thereof and which each include a hole  104  for a mounting screw (not shown) to pass through. 
   Four mounting screw holes  106  ( FIG. 2 ) are provided in the register grill  12  when the second modified shroud  100  is used. Two each of the mounting screw holes  106  are disposed on opposite sides of the openings  16  in the register grill  12  and are used with each of the second modified shrouds  100 . The four mounting screw holes  106  are drilled, if required, into an existing type of the register grill  12 , if it does not already include them. 
   A first mounting screw passes through the hole  104  in the modified tab  102  and then engages with one of the mounting screw holes  106 . A second mounting screw passes through the hole  104  in the modified tab  102  on the opposite side of the openings  16  and engages with the mounting screw holes  106  on the opposite side of the register grill  12 . 
   The mounting screw holes  106  are smaller in diameter than the holes  104 . Accordingly, threads of the mounting screws pass through the holes  104  unimpeded and engage with the mounting screw holes  106  sufficient to secure each one of the second modified shrouds to the register grill  12 . 
   A modified ring  108  is provided over a center opening  110  that is formed in the second modified shroud  100 . The register end  30   a  of the first flexible conduit  30  is secured over the modified ring  108 . The distal end  30   b  is placed at a desired location. The first flexible conduit  30  is placed where desired and can pass under or around the object  18 , whichever is preferred. 
   The openings  16  in the register grill  12  are separated, typically, into a left and right half with a solid center portion between the two opening  16  halves. Each one of the second modified shrouds  100  is used to cover one-half of the openings  16  (on either side), as desired. This allows the other half to pass air normally through the remaining openings  16  in the register grill  12 . 
   An advantage in using only one of the second modified shrouds  100  and of allowing the other half of the openings  16  to vent normally is that air (either heated or cooled) can be vented into a room at a first location that is at the register grill  12  and also at a distal location simultaneously. 
   If only a portion of the register grill  12  is obstructed by the object  18 , for example, the second modified shroud  100  may be used, along with the first flexible conduit  30 , to direct that portion of obstructed air to a location that is disposed away from the object  18 . 
   A portion of air passing through the remaining openings  16  in the register grill  12  that is not blocked by the object  18  is permitted to vent at the register grill  12 . This allows for the discharge of air at two planes, a first plane being at the register grill  12  and a second plane being at the distal end  30   b  of the first flexible conduit  30 . 
   However, it is anticipated that two of the second modified shrouds  100  will typically be used together, each adjacent the other, with each of the second modified shrouds  100  secured to its corresponding pair of mounting screw holes  106  in the register grill  12 . The second flexible conduit  32  is similarly secured to the modified ring  108  of the additional second modified shroud  100  and both the first and second flexible conduits  30 ,  32  are used to direct air away from the object  18 , as desired, and to discharge the air at two planes both of which are distally disposed with respect to a plane of the register grill  12 . 
   When the register grill  12  is disposed on a floor surface, it is used in like manner to that as described herein. The only difference is that the first and second flexible conduits  30 ,  32  extend upward from the floor instead of outward away from the wall  14 . 
   Referring momentarily again to  FIG. 1 , a cover  36  is shown at the distal end  32   b  of the second flexible conduit  32 . The cover  36  is placed over the distal end  32   b , as desired, to obstruct or stop the air flow. A second cover  36  (shown in dashed lines) is disposed near the distal end of the first flexible conduit  30  and is used in like manner to obstruct air flow out of the distal end  30   b  thereof. 
   The two covers  36  are used to regulate the air flow at a two locations (i.e., at the two distal planes) that are disposed away from the register grill  12 . This is an important benefit when the register grill  12  is disposed behind a large piece of furniture and is especially difficult to access. 
   Also, the register grill  12  may include a device that stops all of the air flow through the grill  12 . If the register grill  12  is so equipped, there is no way to allow a portion of the air to pass through the register grill  12 , for example through one side of the grill  12 , but not through the other side. By using the two covers  36 , one half of the openings  16  can be obstructed, as desired, at a remote location (a first distal plane) with respect to the grill  12  while the remaining half of the openings  16  is open to vent (at a second distal plane). 
   There are times when such ability is especially appreciated. For example, if the second flexible conduit  32  is used to direct warm, heated air in front of a recliner chair (not shown) that is seldom used, the cover  36  would normally remain on the distal end  32   b  of the second flexible conduit  32 . If however, when company is present and when the company is using the recliner chair and it is especially chilly, an ability to remove the cover  36  and allow warm air to be discharged proximate the recliner chair would be especially desirable. This capability also saves energy (and reduces heating or cooling expenses) by not heating (or cooling) an unoccupied area unless heat is required in that specific area at a given time. The same example, of course, applies for summertime cooling needs, as well. 
   The cover  36  can be secured by friction-fit over the distal end  32   b . Alternately, a collar  38  is attached at the distal end  32   b  and the cover  36  is hingedly attached to the collar  38 . Accordingly, the cover  36  is pivoted up to close and down to open it. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 5 , a pair of modified air duct expanders, each identified in general by the reference numeral  200 , are attached to the register grill  12 , in any preferred manner or similar to that as shown in  FIG. 2 . 
   A third modified shroud  202  is attached to the register grill  12 . The third modified shroud  202  is similar in construction to that of the second modified shroud  100 . 
   A first rigid section of conduit  204  and a second rigid section of conduit  206  are provided. The first and second rigid sections of conduit  204 ,  206  include a rectangular cross section, although any shape is possible. The rectangular cross section allows for a lower height and easier passage under certain types of furniture. 
   A register end  204   a ,  206   a  of the first and second rigid sections of conduit  204 ,  206  are each attached to an intermediate section  208 . A distal end  204   b ,  206   b  of each of the first and second rigid sections of conduit  204 ,  206  is open to vent at the first and second distal plane locations with respect to the register grill  12 . Of course, a modified cover, not shown, can be attached as desired at each distal end  204   b ,  206   b  to regulate air flow. 
   The intermediate section  208  includes a plurality of accordion folds. The accordion folds of each intermediate section  208  allow for the first and second rigid sections of conduit  204 ,  206  to be moved side to side, and slightly up or down, as well, as shown by arrows  210 . 
   The distal ends  204   b ,  206   b  of the first and second rigid sections of conduit  204 ,  206  are offset as desired to direct conditioned air beyond the object  18  (not shown in  FIG. 5 ). 
   Accordingly, the entire length of conduit need not be flexible as long as a portion that is capable of flexing is provided. The accordion folds of the intermediate sections  208  provide the flexing that is necessary to direct the air where desired. Other ways of providing flexing are also anticipated, for example, by use of a hinged type of a connection. 
   However, flexing at some location between the register grill  12  and the distal ends  30   b ,  32   b ,  204   b ,  206   b  is required for optimum benefit, as there is no way to know ahead of time where the object  18  may be placed. In order to direct the air under or to the side of the object  18 , either the first flexible conduit  30 , the second flexible conduit  32  are used or, alternately, the first rigid section of conduit  204  and the second rigid section of conduit  206  is used along with two of the intermediate sections  208  in order to provide an ability to offset the direction that the rigid sections  204 ,  206  extend away from the register grill  12 . 
   Any version of the air duct expander  10 ,  200  described herein can be modified so as to include the register grill  12  as an integral part thereof. Instead of attaching the air duct expander  10  or the modified air duct expander  200  to the register grill  12 , a modified type of grill is supplied as an integral part of the air duct expander  10 ,  200  and is used to replace the register grill  12  when the air duct expander  10 ,  200  is installed. The modified type of grill is similar to the register grill  12  and is attached during manufacture of the expander  10 ,  200  to any preferred version of the shroud  20 ,  100 ,  202 . 
   The invention has been shown, described, and illustrated in substantial detail with reference to the presently preferred embodiment. It will be understood by those skilled in this art that other and further changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention which is defined by the claims appended hereto.