Abstract:
A telescoping downdraft ventilator with a movable fan and efficient way of removing gases and fumes is disclosed. The telescoping downdraft ventilator has the ability to fit behind a cook top unit beneath a countertop when the cook top unit is located against a wall. The telescoping downdraft ventilator has a fan that may be attached in front of the unit or behind the unit. The ventilator collects and draws in exhaust fumes and smoke, filters it, and re-circulates or expels it through a movable exhaust duct.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates in general to the field of downdraft ventilators for use in conjunction with a cook top. More particularly, the present invention relates to a telescoping downdraft ventilator assembly having a movable fan allowing installation in limited space environments. 
         [0002]    2. Discussion of the Related Art 
         [0003]    Telescoping downdraft ventilators are well known to those skilled in the art. A conventional telescoping downdraft ventilator typically includes a housing, e.g., usually positioned behind a cook top, and a vent that is extendable above the housing to remove contaminated air from a cook top. A trim piece typically covers the hole cut out in the countertop surrounding the downdraft ventilator. When not in use, the telescoping portion of the vent is usually stored in a housing below the cook top. Further, the ventilator typically includes a fan for moving air through the system. 
         [0004]    One problem with prior designs is that oftentimes the cook top is located against a wall or above a storage cabinet. Such a location minimizes the space which a downdraft may occupy for the housing, fan, motor, etc. Thus, it is common to install a cook top in a kitchen island, allowing more space for a downdraft ventilator installation. 
         [0005]    What is therefore needed is a system for use in conjunction with a telescoping downdraft ventilator that allows the fan assembly to be movable, allowing the downdraft ventilator to be installed against a wall or another limited space environment. 
       SUMMARY AND OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    By way of summary, one object of the present invention is to provide a way of allowing installation of a telescoping downdraft ventilator into a confined area by having a movable exhaust fan housing allowing the exhaust duct to be pointed in a number of directions. 
         [0007]    Another object of the present invention is to allow the exhaust fan housing to be mounted on the front or rear of the ventilator allowing installation of the ventilator against a wall or along the edge of an island. 
         [0008]    A further aspect of the present invention is achieved by having slots cut on the housing for attaching the fan housing. The fan housing may be positioned anywhere along the slots. 
         [0009]    Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a trim panel that is constructed out of one piece surrounding the telescoping member, also referred to as an inner member. A cap is placed on the top side of the inner member that fits into the trim panel when the inner member is retracted into the housing. The cap is manufactured by forming a flange on the underside of the cap in order to increase the surface area on the underside. The enlarged surface area minimizes pressure applied to an object or a user&#39;s fingers in the event an object becomes pinched when the inner member is retracted. The one piece construction significantly lowers manufacturing costs while the design offers greater safety to the end user. Spacers may also be placed on the underside of the cap which minimizes the potential pinch points. 
         [0010]    These and other aspects and objects of the present invention will be better appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with the following description and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the following description, while indicating preferred embodiments of the present invention, is given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the present invention without departing from the spirit thereof, and the invention includes all such modifications. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]    A clear conception of the advantages and features constituting the present invention, and of the construction and operation of typical mechanisms provided with the present invention, will become more readily apparent by referring to the exemplary, and therefore non-limiting, embodiments illustrated in the drawings accompanying and forming a part of this specification, wherein like reference numerals designate the same elements in the several views, and in which: 
           [0012]      FIG. 1A  illustrates a front view of the telescoping downdraft ventilator of the present invention without a blower; 
           [0013]      FIG. 1B  illustrates a front view of the telescoping downdraft ventilator of the present invention with an external, rotational blower; 
           [0014]      FIG. 1C  illustrates a front view of the telescoping downdraft ventilator of the present invention with an internal blower; 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  illustrates a right side view of an alternate embodiment of the telescoping downdraft ventilator; 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  illustrates a top view of the telescoping downdraft ventilator; 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  illustrates an isometric view of the telescoping downdraft ventilator; 
           [0018]      FIG. 5  illustrates a back view of the telescoping downdraft ventilator; 
           [0019]      FIG. 6  illustrates a cross-sectional view of the downdraft ventilator of  FIG. 3  along the line  3 - 3 ; 
           [0020]      FIG. 7  illustrates a cross-sectional view of the downdraft ventilator of  FIG. 3  along the line A-A; 
           [0021]      FIG. 8  illustrates a front view of the telescoping downdraft ventilator of an alternate embodiment indicating the rotation of the fan housing and exhaust duct; 
           [0022]      FIG. 9  illustrates a the electrical control block diagram of the preferred embodiment; 
           [0023]      FIG. 10  illustrates the electrical control block diagram of an alternate embodiment. 
       
    
    
       [0024]    In describing the preferred embodiment of the invention which is illustrated in the drawings, specific terminology will be resorted to for the sake of clarity. However, it is not intended that the invention be limited to the specific terms so selected and it is to be understood that each specific term includes all technical equivalents which operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar purpose. For example, the word connected, attached, or terms similar thereto are often used. They are not limited to direct connection but include connection through other elements where such connection is recognized as being equivalent by those skilled in the art. 
       DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0025]    The present invention and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodiments described in detail in the following description. 
       1. System Overview 
       [0026]    The telescoping downdraft ventilator of the present invention generally includes a system with a fan housing to be relocatable to the front or rear of the ventilator, positionable along slots along the front and rear of the ventilator, includes a one piece construction trim, and a cap that minimizes pinch pressure on an operator&#39;s fingers. The telescoping downdraft ventilator may also include a fan housing that is also rotatable about its center axis. This is preferably accomplished by constructing the ventilator with a housing that is mounted below a countertop. The housing has front and rear panels with hole cut outs, allowing the fan housing to attach to the front or rear. Slots cut into the panels allow the fan housing to be positionable along the slots. The fan housing may also be rotated about its central axis when mounting to the panel of choice. These features allow the ventilator to be installed against a wall where traditional ventilators would not function as the fan housing would prevent the ventilator from being placed flush, against the wall. Since the fan housing has the ability to move, things such as drawers, shelves, plumbing, and electrical lines may be avoided by positioning the fan housing to an appropriate location. Since the exhaust duct attaches to the fan housing, installation of the exhaust duct plumbing is also simplified as the exhaust duct outlet may be pointed in an optimal direction. New construction techniques used also allow a trim panel mounted on the countertop, surrounding the telescoping portion, to be constructed out of a single piece. A cap secured to the top portion of an inner member minimizes pinch pressure by spreading the load on an operator&#39;s fingers over a larger surface area should the operator&#39;s fingers interfere with the telescoping function. Spacers may also be secured to the underside of the cap to reduce the pinch point area. 
       2. Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments 
       [0027]    Referring now to the drawings,  FIG. 1A  shows the telescoping downdraft ventilator  1  of the present invention without a fan housing. The downdraft ventilator  1  comprises a housing  25  with a cover plate  30  fastened to the front of the housing  25 . A hole cutout  11  reveals the inside of housing  25  and a screw drive  76  for extending and retracting inner member  15 .  FIG. 1B  shows a fan housing  55  that mounts over the hole cutout  11  onto the mounting panel  30  by attaching to the mounting panel  30  with fasteners. The fan housing  55  may rotate about its central axis as is shown in  FIG. 8  with rotation arrow  80 . A fan  57 , shown in  FIG. 8 , is located inside the fan housing  55  and is powered by a motor  50 . The fan  57  draws air from a cooking surface into the intake  60 , through the internal member  15 , down through the housing  25 , through mounting panel  30 , into fan housing  55  and blows the air out of exhaust duct  40 .  FIG. 1C  shows a housing  45  that may be used for low profile applications. Housing  45  allows for a remote fan and fan motor to be installed, allowing the telescoping downdraft ventilator to be installed in a tight location that would not provide adequate room for a fan housing  55  and exhaust duct  40  as shown in  FIG. 1B . Housing  45  may discharge exhaust air to the bottom of the housing  45 . 
         [0028]    The internal member  15  may be extended or retracted by pressing the on/off button  65 .  FIG. 1A  discloses the internal member  15  in the fully extended position. A sliding button  10  may control the fan motor  50  as shown in  FIG. 1B  or the remote fan motor that would be used in  FIG. 1C . In either application, the fan motor speed, which dictates the fan speed, is adjusting the sliding button  10 . Sliding button  10  may be slid to select an infinite number of fan speeds between a maximum speed and a minimum speed. 
         [0029]    A trim panel  20  rests above a countertop when the downdraft ventilator  1  is installed. The internal member  15  is retracted by an operator pressing the on/off button  65  which retracts the internal member  15  into the housing  25  to the fully retracted position, which places the lower portion of a cap  5  resting on the trim panel  20 . 
         [0030]    The internal member  15  is retracted into housing  25  with a lift motor  77  as seen in  FIG. 6 . The lift motor  77  is protected from contact by lift motor box  54 . A power chord  35  supplies electrical power to the downdraft ventilator  1 . A screw drive  76  is rotated by the lift motor  77  to retract the inner member  15  until the inner member contacts mechanical stop  18 , which is the fully retracted position. When the internal member  15  is being extended, the lift motor  77  rotates the screw drive  76  until the internal member  15  contacts mechanical stop  16 , which is the fully extended position. In an alternate embodiment shown in  FIG. 5 , spacers  17  prevent the cap  5  from resting flush against the trim panel  20 . This prevents the cap  5  from pinching an object such as an operator&#39;s fingers between the cap  5  and the trim panel  20  when the internal member is in the fully retracted position. 
         [0031]      FIG. 1B  discloses the blower housing  55  attaching to the housing  25  by fastening the blower housing  55  to a mounting panel  30 .  FIG. 1C  discloses the housing  45  fastened to the mounting panel  30  along a pair of mounting slots  56 . The mounting slots  56  allow the housing  45  to be positionable along the length of the slots. Housing  45  includes an opening on the lower side for attachment of duct work to a remote fan and blower. The mobility of housing  45  allows it to clear any potential obstructions during installation. Looking now to  FIG. 1B , the blower housing  55  is secured over hole  11  as seen in  FIG. 1A . The blower housing may also rotate about its central axis along rotation arrow  80 , as seen in  FIG. 8 , allowing the exhaust duct  40  versatility in location when it is attached to exhaust plumbing to vent the collected fumes to a remote location. 
         [0032]    Looking to  FIG. 2 , an alternate embodiment of the telescoping downdraft is shown. Blower housing  55  is joined with housing  45 . This embodiment allows the blower housing  55  to be mounted on mounting slots  56 , allowing the fan  57 , fan motor  50 , and blower housing  55  to be movable along the mounting slots  56 . 
         [0033]      FIG. 5  illustrates the rear side of the downdraft ventilator  1 . A hole cutout panel  28  seals a hole cutout  29  in the rear of the housing  25 . The front side hole cutout  11 , as seen in  FIG. 1A , and the rear side hole cutout  29  allow the fan housing  55  of  FIG. 1B  and the housing  45  of  FIG. 1C  to be mounted on the front side or rear side of the downdraft ventilator. The hole cutout panel  28  may be swapped with cover plate  30  allowing the fan housing  55  and housing  45  to be mounted to either one of the front or rear sides of the downdraft ventilator  1 . 
         [0034]    Switching now to  FIG. 7 , a section view along  2 - 2  shows the internals of the fan housing  55 . The fan  57  is spun by the fan motor  50  which draws air through the vent  60 , down the internal member  15 , down the housing  25 , through the fan housing  55 , and out of the exhaust vent  40 . Lift motor  77  extends and retracts the internal member  15  into and out of the housing  25 . In the fully retracted position, the bottom portion of cap  5  rests on the top portion of trim panel  20 , allowing the cap  5  to protrude from the top surface of trim panel  20 . An alternate embodiment may include spacers  17  to prevent the cap  5  from resting flush against the trim panel in the fully retracted position in order to minimize pinching of an obstruction such as a user&#39;s fingers. In the preferred embodiment, spacers  17  are not included and the cap is constructed out of a single piece. A flange is formed on the underside of the cap  5  allowing the underside of the edges of cap  5  to bend at a 90 degree angle in order to increase the surface area of the bottom portion of the cap  5 . The increased surface area minimizes the force exerted by the cap  5  on an obstruction such as an operator&#39;s fingers. The cap  5  is also manufactured out of a single piece without any joining of separate pieces. This allows for lower manufacturing costs as welding, fasteners, bonding agents, and the like are all avoided. 
         [0035]    Looking to  FIG. 8 , an alternate embodiment of the downdraft ventilator  1  is shown. The fan housing  55  may be rotated about its central axis. Rotation  80  of the fan housing  55  is accomplished by allowing the fan housing  55  to slidingly engage a mounting panel  45  until the fan housing  55  is at a preferred position. The fan housing may then be fastened to the mounting panel with fasteners. 
         [0036]    Now turning to  FIG. 9 , a function block diagram illustrates the electrical controls of a preferred embodiment of the fan motor  50  and lift motor  77 . The fan motor  50  is operated by a separate 120 V variable speed control. The variable speed control accepts up to five discrete contact switch inputs or in a preferred embodiment, a 10K potentiometer input such as a sliding switch  10 . The lift motor  77  is driven off a fixed, isolated DC voltage, which is separate from the variable speed control. The screw drive  76  rotational direction is controlled by reversing polarity of the DC power supplied to the lift motor  77 . The internal member has mechanical stops  16  at the fully extended position and a mechanical stop  18  at a fully retracted position, which are seen in  FIG. 6 . When the internal member  15  engages one of the mechanical stops  16  or  18 , a latching directional relay will change the direction of the lift motor  77  after the up/down button  65  is pressed. Any obstruction causing the lift motor amperage to go over the maximum programmed amperage will stop the lift motor  77  automatically. The internal member&#39;s mechanical stops  16  at the fully extended and the mechanical stop  18  at the fully retracted positions will also cause an over-current condition on the lift motor  77  when the internal member  15  contacts the respective mechanical stop and the lift motor  77  will stop the internal member  15  from movement automatically. In all events, pressing the on/off button  65  will reverse the travel direction of the inner member  15 . In the event the internal member  15  contacts an obstruction such as a user&#39;s finger while the lift motor  77  is extending or retracting the internal member  15 , the user must press the on/off button  65  to reverse the internal member&#39;s travel direction and reset the lift motor  76 . Once the obstruction is cleared, normal operation will resume. If not, the fault cycle will continue. The control system will not differentiate between an obstruction and contact of the mechanical stops  16 ,  18  at the fully extended and fully retracted positions, respectively. When the inner member  15  reaches the fully extended position, a reed switch activates the fan motor  50  automatically at a pre-selected speed. 
         [0037]    Referring now to  FIG. 10 , the block diagram illustrates a flow chart detailing the function of the telescoping downdraft according to an alternate embodiment. The downdraft ventilator controls include a feature that senses an obstruction when the internal member  15  is interrupted during retraction or extension with a user&#39;s hands or another object. An obstruction when the internal member  15  is being extended will generally stop the lift motor  77  and prevent the fan motor  50  operation. The user must press the on/off button  65  to reverse the lift motor  77  and reset the unit. If the obstruction is cleared, normal operation will resume. If not, it will continue the fault cycle. Upon retracting the inner member  15  to the fully retracted position, the unit will not differentiate between an obstruction and the fully retracted position. The internal member  15  could potentially be retracted to an intermediate position in-between the fully extended and fully retracted positions. The telescoping downdraft ventilator  1  would also function as usual when this happens. Upon extending the inner member  15 , the unit will differentiate between an obstruction and the fully extended position. Upon an obstruction stop, the user must press the on/off button  65  to reverse the lift motor  77  to retract the internal member  15  to the fully retracted position. If the obstruction is cleared, normal operation will resume with the on/off button  65  operation. If not, the same fault cycle will continue. 
         [0038]    Although the best mode contemplated by the inventors of carrying out the present invention is disclosed above, practice of the present invention is not limited thereto. It will be manifest that various additions, modifications and rearrangements of the features of the present invention may be made without deviating from the spirit and scope of the underlying inventive concept. 
         [0039]    Moreover, the individual components need not be formed in the disclosed shapes, or assembled in the disclosed configuration, but could be provided in virtually any shape and assembled in virtually any configuration. Furthermore, all the disclosed features of each disclosed embodiment can be combined with, or substituted for, the disclosed features of every other disclosed embodiment except where such features are mutually exclusive. 
         [0040]    It is intended that the appended claims cover all such additions, modifications and rearrangements. Expedient embodiments of the present invention are differentiated by the appended claims.