Abstract:
An air-conditioning register includes a cylinder-shaped retainer having opposite inner surfaces, a fin assembly including a plurality of fin members disposed in the retainer, a first connector connecting the fin members, a second connector, and a guide guiding the second connector on a predetermined track. The fin members includes paired fin members disposed in proximity to the opposite inner surfaces of the retainer, at least one of the paired fin members swinging by a swing angle smaller than that of all of the other fin members, and functioning as a dummy fin member keeping a constant angle independently within a predetermined swing-angle range where all of the other fin members swing. The second connector connects the dummy fin member and all of the other fin members while absorbing a swing-angle difference between the dummy fin member and all of the other fin members.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates to a register for supplying air-conditioning air into vehicle passenger rooms, for example. 
   2. Description of the Related Art 
     FIG. 6  illustrates a drawing of a link mechanism for a conventional register for air conditioning. The conventional air-conditioning register  100  comprises a retainer  101 , a horizontal fin assembly  102 , and a connecting rod  103 . The retainer  101  comprises an outlet port  104  facing inwardly a vehicle passenger room. The horizontal fin assembly  102  comprises five horizontal fin members  102   a . The horizontal fin members  102   a  comprise a swinging shaft  102   b  and a receiving shaft  102   c . The receiving shafts  102   c  of the respective horizontal fin members  102  are connected with each other by the connecting rod  103 . Hence, each of the horizontal fin members  102   a  swings about each of the swinging shafts  102   b.    
   In the conventional air-conditioning register  100 , it is necessary to secure a space “S” for swinging the lowest horizontal member  102   a  therein when directing the air-conditioning air upward, specifically when directing the horizontal fin assembly  102  upward. Namely, the lowest horizontal fin member  102   a  does not contribute much to the direction adjustment of the air-conditioning air. However, the respective horizontal fin members  102   a  are connected with each other by the connecting rod  103 . Accordingly, the lowest horizontal fin member  102   a  should swing with the other horizontal fin members  102   a  while interlocking with them. Therefore, the space “S” should be secured in order to let the lowest horizontal fin member  102   a  swing therein. 
   The space “S” is one of the causes of noises, such as whistling sounds, generating from the outlet port  104 . Moreover, securing the space “S” should inevitably result in providing a wide distance between the lower periphery of the outlet port  104  and a vertical-fin operation dial  105 . Consequently, the conventional air-conditioning register  100  looks dull decoratively, and gives poor appearance. 
   In view of the disadvantages, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication (KOKAI) No. 11-139,156 and Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication (KOKAI) No. 11-180,140 disclose an air-conditioning register in which a receiver of the lowest horizontal fin member is fitted into a recess groove bored through the connecting rod. In the air-conditioning register set forth in both publications, the receiver swings relatively in the recess groove when directing the air-conditioning air upward. Accordingly, it is possible to keep the lowest horizontal fin member substantially horizontally independently of the other horizontal fin members. Consequently, it is possible to obviate the space “S” shown in  FIG. 6 . 
   In the air-conditioning register disclosed in the publications, the receiver can reciprocate in the recess groove in the longitudinal direction thereof. Accordingly, the air-conditioning air flow might rattle the lowest horizontal fin member. Moreover, in the case of air-conditioning registers in which the lowest horizontal fin member is controlled by the sliding between the receiver and the recess groove alone, the receiver might not slide well in the recess groove because of the inaccurately molded component parts. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention has been developed and completed in view of such circumstances. It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a register for air conditioning whose fin members are less likely to rattle and are controlled with high accuracy. 
   A register for air conditioning according to the present invention can solve the aforementioned problems, and comprises:
         a cylinder-shaped retainer having opposite inner surfaces;   a fin assembly comprising a plurality of fin members disposed in the retainer, wherein at least one of paired fin members, which are disposed in proximity to the opposite inner surfaces of the retainer, swings by a swing angle smaller than that of all of the other fin members, and functions as a dummy fin member keeping a constant angle independently within a predetermined swing-angle range where all of the other fin members swing;   a first connector connecting the fin members;   a second connector connecting the dummy fin member and all of the other fin members while absorbing a swing-angle difference between the dummy fin member and all of the other fin members; and   a guide guiding the second connector on a predetermined track.       

   The present air-conditioning register controls the dummy fin member with the second connector and guide in addition to the first connector. Accordingly, the dummy fin member is less likely to rattle. Moreover, it is possible to reliably control the dummy fin member. In addition, it is unnecessary to provide such a space “S” as shown in  FIG. 6 . 
   Moreover, the present air-conditioning register can preferably be arranged so that the fin members comprise a swinging shaft functioning as the swinging center in operation, and a receiver receiving an operation force; the first connector comprises a plurality of holders rotatably holding the receiver of the fin members; and one of the holders, rotatably holding the receiver of the dummy fin member, comprises a sliding allowance for making it possible to absorb the swing-angle difference between the dummy fin member and all of the other fin members, and functions as a sliding holder slidably contacting with the receiver of the dummy fin member. With this arrangement, it is possible to connect the first connector with the fin members by a relatively simplified construction while allowing the movement difference between the dummy fin member and all of the other fin members. 
   In addition, a further aspect of the present air-conditioning register can also solve the aforementioned problems, and comprises:
         a cylinder-shaped retainer in which air-conditioning air flows and which has opposite inner surfaces;   a damper held rotatably the retainer, and being capable of switching between a close position for shutting off the flow of the air-conditioning air and an open position for allowing the flow of the air-conditioning air; and   a fin assembly comprising a plurality of fin members held rotatably in the retainer and adjusting the blowing direction of the air-conditioning air;
           the fin members comprising paired fin members disposed in proximity to the opposite inner surfaces of the retainer, at least one of the paired fin members being free from interlocking with all of the other fin members and functioning as a damper-interlocking fin member interlocking with the damper to interlock with all of the other fin members in a simulating manner when the damper is switched from the open position to the close position or vice versa.   
               

   In accordance with the further aspect of the present air-conditioning register, the damper-interlocking fin member is less likely to rattle because the damper-interlocking fin member is not connected with all of the other fin members. Further, it is possible to reliably control the damper-interlocking fin member. Furthermore, it is unnecessary to provide such a space “S” as shown in  FIG. 6 . Moreover, the further aspect of the present air-conditioning register is constructed simply, because no mechanism for absorbing the swing-angle difference between the damper-interlocking fin member and all of the other fin members is not required. In addition, it is easy for an operator to visually confirm whether the damper shuts off the flow of the air-conditioning air by the state of the damper-interlocking fin member and all of the other fin members at the close position, because the damper-interlocking fin member interlocks with all of the other fin members in a simulating manner. Still further, the damper-interlocking fin member is less likely to inhibit the flow of the air-conditioning air at the open position. 
   The present air-conditioning register can make the dummy fin member and damper-interlocking fin member less likely to rattle. Moreover, it can control the dummy fin member and damper-interlocking fin member reliably. 
   BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
   A more complete appreciation of the present invention and many of its advantages will be readily obtained as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings and detailed specification, all of which forms a part of the disclosure. 

   
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       FIG. 1  is an exploded view of an air-conditioning register according to Example No. 1 of the present invention. 
       FIGS. 2   a ,  2   b  and  2   c  are drawings for illustrating a link mechanism for the air-conditioning register according to Example No. 1. 
       FIGS. 3   a ,  3   b  and  3   c  are drawings for illustrating a link mechanism for an air-conditioning register according to Example No. 2 of the present invention. 
       FIG. 4  is an exploded view of an air-conditioning register according to Example No. 3 of the present invention. 
       FIGS. 5   a  and  5   b  are drawings for illustrating a link mechanism for the air-conditioning register according to Example No. 3. 
       FIG. 6  is a drawing for illustrating the link mechanism for the conventional air-conditioning register. 
   

   EXAMPLES 
   Having generally described the present invention, a further understanding can be obtained by reference to the specific preferred embodiments which are provided herein for the purpose of illustration only and not intended to limit the scope of the appended claims. Hereinafter, the present invention will be described with reference to forms of embodying the present air-conditioning register applied to vehicles. 
   Example No. 1 
   First, the arrangement of an air-conditioning register according to Example No. 1 of the present invention will be hereinafter described in detail.  FIG. 1  illustrates an exploded view of the air-conditioning register according to Example No. 1. As illustrated in the drawing, an air-conditioning register  1  comprises a nozzle, or retainer  2 , a horizontal fin assembly  3 , a connecting rod  4 , a joint arm  5 , a guide groove  6 , a damper  7 , a horizontal-fin operation dial  8 , and a gear assembly  9 . Note that the present fin assembly includes the horizontal fin assembly  3 ; the present first connector includes the connecting rod  4 ; the present second connector includes the joint arm  5 ; and the present guide includes the guide groove  6 . 
   The retainer  2  comprises a retainer body  20 , and a bezel  21 . The retainer body  20  is made of resin, and is formed as a squared-cylinder shape. The retainer body  20  is connected with an air-conditioning duct (not shown) at the outer end with respect to a vehicle passenger room. Air-conditioning air is supplied into the retainer body  20  through the air-conditioning duct. Fin swinging holes  200  are bored through at the inner end of the right wall of the retainer body  20  with respect to the vehicle passenger room. On the other hand, fin swinging grooves  201  are formed as a cut-off shape in the left wall of the retainer body  20 . Moreover, the guide groove  6  is dented as a double-arc shape in the left wall of the retainer body  20 . In addition, a gear-assembly swinging hole  202  and a damper swinging hole  203  are bored through the left wall of the retainer body  20  on the outer side of the guide groove  6  with respect to the vehicle passenger room. The bezel  21  is made of resin, and is formed as a rectangle shape. The bezel  21  is disposed flush with an instrument panel (not shown) substantially. An outlet port  210  is opened in the middle of the bezel  21 . Moreover, a vertical-fin operation opening  211  is opened under the outlet port  210 . In addition, a horizontal-fin operation opening  212  is opened on the left side of the outlet port  210 . 
   The horizontal fin assembly  3  comprises four horizontal fin members  30 , and a dummy fin member  34 . The present fin members include the horizontal fin members  30  and dummy fin member  34 . The fin members are disposed vertically. Note that the dummy fin member  34  is disposed lowest at the bottom. The horizontal fin members  30  and dummy fin member  34  comprise a fin body  31 , and a connecting tab  32 . The fin body  31  is made of resin, and is formed as a fine plate shape extending horizontally. Swinging shafts  31   a ,  31   b  project from the left and right opposite ends of the fin body  31 . The trunk of the swinging shafts  31   a  is accommodated in the fin swinging groove  201 . The swinging shafts  31   b  are fitted into the fin swinging holes  200 . Accordingly, the fin bodies  31  can swing about the swinging shafts  31   a ,  31   b . The connecting tab  32  is made of resin, and is formed as a rectangular parallelepiped shape. The connecting tab  32  is fastened to the leading end of the swinging shafts  31   a . Consequently, the connecting tabs  32  can also swing together with the fin bodies  31 . A receiving shaft  320  projects from the left side surface of the connecting tabs  32  in the drawing. The present receiver includes the receiving shafts  320 . Moreover, a fin-side gear  33 , which is made of resin and is formed as a sector shape, is fastened to the trunk of the swinging shaft  31   a  of the fin body  31  of the uppermost horizontal fin member  30 . 
   The connecting rod  4  is made of resin, and is formed as a fine plate shape extending vertically. In the connecting rod  4 , there are formed four holder holes  40  and a swinging holder groove  41 . The present holder includes the holder holes  40  and swinging holder groove  41 . The swinging holder groove  41  is formed as an arc shape. The receiving shaft  320  of the dummy fin member  34  is fitted into the swinging holder groove  41 . In addition, the receiving shaft  320  of the horizontal fin members  30  is fitted into each of the holder holes  40 . 
   The joint arm  5  comprises an upper arm  50 , and a lower arm  51 . The upper arm  50  and the lower arm  51  are joined to form a linkage. Both upper arm  50  and lower arm  51  are made of resin, and are formed as a fine plate shape. A dummy-fin-member link hole  510  is bored through the lower arm  51  at the inner end with respect to the vehicle passenger room. The receiving shaft  320  of the dummy fin member  34 , which has penetrated through the swinging holder groove  41 , is fitted into the dummy-fin-member link hole  510 . A guided projection  511  projects from the outer end of the lower arm  50  with respect to the vehicle passenger room. Moreover, a horizontal-fin-member link hole  500  is bored through at the inner end of the upper arm  50  with respect to the vehicle passenger room. The receiving shaft  320  of one of the horizontal fin members  30 , e.g., the third one from the top, which has penetrated through the holder hole  40 , is fitted into the horizontal-fin-member link hole  500 . A joint hole  501  is bored through at the outer end of the upper arm  50  with respect to the vehicle passenger room. The guided projection  511  is fitted into the guide groove  6  after it penetrates through the joint hole  501 . Therefore, the joint arm  5  can bend about the guided projection  511 . Moreover, the double-arc-shaped groove  6  regulates the locus of the joint arm  5 . 
   The gear assembly  9  is made of resin, and is formed as a fine plate shape as a whole. A first gear  90  and a second gear  91  are disposed parallely at the inner end of the gear assembly  9  with respect to the vehicle passenger room. The second gear  91  meshes with the fin-side gear  33 . A gear swinging shaft  92  projects from the arc center of the first gear  90  and second gear  91 . The gear swinging shaft  92  is fitted into the gear swinging hole  202  of the retainer body  20 . Thus, the gear assembly  9  can swing about the gear swinging shaft  92 . A damper driving arm  93  projects from the outer end of the second gear  91  with respect to the vehicle passenger room. Moreover, a damper driving shaft  930  projects from the leading end of the damper driving arm  93  on the right side surface of the damper driving arm  93  in the drawing. Note that the damper driving shaft  930  can engage with a dent  940  of the damper driving tab  94 . In addition, the damper driving tab  94  further comprises a damper swinging shaft  941  which is fitted into the damper swinging hole  203  of the retainer body  20 . 
   The horizontal-fin operation dial  8  is made of resin, and is formed as a disk shape. The horizontal-fin operation dial  8  is held rotatably on the rear-surface side of the instrument panel, with a part of which is projected into the vehicle passenger room through the horizontal-fin operation opening  212 . A dial gear  80  is formed on the periphery of the horizontal-fin operation dial  8  partially. The dial gear  80  meshes with the first gear  90  of the gear assembly  9 . 
   The damper  7  comprises a damper body  70 , and a sealing frame  71 . The damper body  70  is made of resin, and is formed as a rectangle shape. The damper body  70  is fastened to the leading end of the damper swinging shaft  941  of the damper driving tab  94 . Therefore, the damper  7  can swing about the damper swinging shaft  941 . The sealing frame  71  is made of rubber, and is fitted around the outer periphery of the damper body  70 . 
   A vertical fin assembly (not shown) is disposed between the horizontal fin assembly  3  and the damper  7 . Moreover, a vertical-fin operation dial (not shown) is disposed in the vertical-fin operation opening  211 . 
   The operations of the air-conditioning register  1  according to Example No. 1 will be hereinafter described. The operation force is transmitted from an operator to the uppermost horizontal fin member  30  by way of the dial gear  80 , the first gear  90 , the second gear  91  and the fin-side gear  33  in this order. Then, the operation force is transmitted to the other horizontal fin members  30  as well as the dummy fin member  34  by way of the connecting rod  4 . 
     FIGS. 2   a ,  2   b  and  2   c  illustrate a link mechanism for the air-conditioning register  1  according to Example No. 1.  FIG. 2   a  shows the close position, e.g., a position at which the damper  7  shuts off the flow of the air-conditioning air and the horizontal fin assembly  3  covers the outlet port  210 .  FIG. 2   b  shows a position for blowing the air-conditioning air substantially horizontally.  FIG. 2   c  shows a position for blowing the air-conditioning air upward. At the close position, the horizontal fin assembly  3  is disposed flush with the bezel  21  substantially. When switching the close position to the position for blowing the air-conditioning air substantially horizontally, the horizontal fin members  30  and dummy fin member  34  which are connected by the connecting rod  4  move all together in the direction of the arrows “a” of  FIG. 2   a . Moreover, the guided projection  511  slides in the major arc  60  of the guide groove  6  in the direction of the arrow “b” of the drawing. On the other hand, when switching the position for blowing the air-conditioning air substantially horizontally to the close position, the component parts interlock with each other in the opposite directions with respect to the above-described directions. 
   When switching the position for blowing the air-conditioning air substantially horizontally to the position for blowing the air-conditioning air upward, the horizontal fin members  30  further move in the direction of the arrows “c” of  FIG. 2   b . However, the dummy fin member  34  keeps the substantially horizontal disposition. It is because the receiving shaft  320  of the dummy fin member  34  slides in the swinging holder groove  41  of the connecting rod  4  relatively to the connecting rod  4 . In other words, the connecting rod  4  moves downward, but the dummy fin member  34  is stationary. As a result, the receiving shaft  320  of the dummy fin member  34  is displaced from the bottom end of the swinging holder groove  41  to the top end. Namely, the swinging holder groove  41  of the connector rod  4  absorbs the displacement of the connecting rod  4  accompanied by the swinging horizontal fin members  30 . Moreover, it results from the arrangement that the swinging force is hardly applied to the dummy fin member  34 , because the curvature center of the minor arc  61  of the guide groove  6  coincides with the receiving shaft  320  of the dummy fin member  34 , though the guided projection  511  slides in the minor arc  61  in the direction of the arrow “d” of  FIG. 2   b . In addition, the joint arm  5  moves while bending about the guided projection  511 , and thereby absorbs the swing-angle difference between the horizontal fin members  30  and the dummy fin member  34 . When switching the position for blowing the air-conditioning air upward to the position for blowing the air-conditioning air substantially horizontally, the component parts interlock with each other in the opposite directions with respect to the above-described directions. 
   Next, the advantages effected by the air-conditioning register  1  according to Example No. 1 will be described. The air-conditioning register  1  according to Example No. 1 controls the dummy fin member  34  by the joint arm  5  and guide groove  6  in addition to the connecting rod  4 . Accordingly, the dummy fin member  34  is less likely to rattle. Further, it is possible to reliably control the dummy fin member  34  by the connecting rod  4 , joint arm  5  and guide groove  6 . Furthermore, it is unnecessary to secure such a space as the space “S” shown in  FIG. 6 . Consequently, noises like whistling sounds are less likely to occur. Moreover, as illustrated in  FIG. 1 , it is possible to dispose the lower periphery of the outlet port  210  close to the vertical-fin operation opening  211 . Therefore, the air-conditioning register  1  gives good appearance. 
   In addition, in the air-conditioning register  1  according to Example No. 1, the swinging holder groove  41  is formed in the connecting rod  4 . Accordingly, regardless of the relatively simplified construction, it is possible to connect the connecting rod  4  with the dummy fin member  34  and other horizontal fin members  30  while allowing the movement difference between them. 
   Example No. 2 
   An air-conditioning register  1  according to Example No. 2 of the present invention differs from the air-conditioning register  1  according to Example No. 1 in that a swinging holder opening is disposed in the connecting rod instead of the swinging holder groove. Therefore, only the difference will be hereinafter described.  FIGS. 3   a ,  3   b  and  3   c  illustrate a link mechanism for the air-conditioning register  1  according to Example No. 2. In  FIGS. 3   a ,  3   b  and  3   c , note that parts like those of  FIGS. 2   a ,  2   b  and  2   c  are designated at the same reference numerals. 
   As illustrated in the drawing, a “C” -shaped swinging holder opening  42  is formed at the lower end of the connecting rod  4 , instead of the swinging holder groove  41 . When the swing angle of the dummy fin member  34  falls in a range of from the close position to the position for blowing the air-conditioning air substantially horizontally, the receiving shaft  320  of the dummy fin member  34  is held at a turnover portion  43  of the swinging holder opening  42 . On the other hand, when the swing angle of the dummy fin member  34  falls in a range of from the position for blowing the air-conditioning air substantially horizontally to the position for blowing the air-conditioning air upward, the receiving shaft  320  of the dummy fin member  34  moves in the swinging holder opening  42  relatively to the connecting rod  4  while being regulated by an upper arc-shaped peripheral portion  44  of the swinging holder opening  42 . In other words, the connector rod  4  moves downward, but the dummy fin member  34  is stationary. As a result, the receiving shaft  320  of the dummy fin member  34  is displaced from the turnover portion  43  of the swinging holder opening  42  to the upper arc-shaped peripheral portion  44 . 
   The air-conditioning register  1  according to Example No. 2 effects advantages in the same manner as the air-conditioning register  1  according to Example No. 1. Moreover, in the air-conditioning register  1  according to Example No. 2, the swinging holder opening  42  can regulate the receiving shaft  320  over the entire travel distance without daring to form an endless swinging holder groove. Therefore, the structure of the connecting rod  4  can be simplified. Moreover, the connecting rod  4  can be molded and assembled with ease. 
   Example No. 3 
   An air-conditioning register  1  according to Example No. 3 of the present invention differs from the air-conditioning register  1  according to Example No. 1 in that the connecting rod connects the horizontal fin members only; and moreover in that a damper-interlocking fin member is disposed instead of the dummy fin member. Therefore, only the differences will be hereinafter described. 
     FIG. 4  illustrates an exploded view of an air-conditioning register  1  according to Example No. 3 of the present invention. In  FIG. 4 , note that parts like those of  FIG. 1  are designated at the same reference numerals. As illustrated in the drawing, an air-conditioning register  1  according to Example No. 3 comprises a long arm  52 , and a short arm  53 . The long arm  52  is made of resin, and is formed as a fine plate shape. A long-arm-side connector projection  520  projects from the long arm  52  at the outer end with respect to the vehicle passenger room. The long-arm-side connector projection  520  is fitted into a driving-tab-side connector hole  942  which is bored through a damper driving tab  94 . A long-arm-side connector hole  521  is bored through the longer arm  52  at the inner end with respect to the vehicle passenger room. The short arm  53  is made of resin, and is formed as a fine plate shape shorter than the long arm  52 . A short-arm-side connector projection  530  projects from the short arm  53  at the outer end with respect to the vehicle passenger room. The short-arm-side connector projection  530  is fitted into the long-arm-side connector hole  521 . A short-arm-side connector hole  531  is bored through the short arm  53  at the inner end with respect to the vehicle passenger room. A receiving shaft  320  of a damper-interlocking fin member  35  is fitted into and fastened to the short-arm-side connector hole  531 . 
     FIGS. 5   a  and  5   b  illustrate a link mechanism for the air-conditioning register  1  according to Example No. 3.  FIG. 5   a  shows a position for blowing the air-conditioning air substantially horizontally.  FIG. 5   b  shows the close position. Note that only the four horizontal fin members  30  connected by the connecting rod  4  are operable at the open position, e.g., a position at which the flow of the air-conditioning air is allowed, and which includes the position for blowing the air-conditioning air substantially horizontally. In this instance, the damper-interlocking fin member  35  is kept substantially horizontally. When switching the open position to the close position, the operation force is transmitted from an operator to the uppermost horizontal fin member  30  by way of the dial gear  80 , the first gear  90 , the second gear  91  and the fin-side gear  33  (see  FIG. 4 ) in this order. Then, the operation force is transmitted to the other three horizontal fin members  30  by way of the connecting rod  4 . Accordingly, the four horizontal fin members  30  swing all together in the direction of the arrows “e” of  FIG. 5   a.    
   Additionally, the operation force is transmitted from the operator to the damper-interlocking fin member  35  by way of the dial gear  80 , the first gear  90 , the damper driving shaft  930 , the damper driving tab  94 , the long arm  52  and the short arm  53  (see  FIG. 4 ) in this order. Consequently, the damper-interlocking fin member  35  swings in the direction of the arrow “f” of  FIG. 5   a . Then, the four horizontal fin members  30  and the damper-interlocking fin member  35  covers the outlet port  210  cooperatively. When switching the close position to the open position, the component parts interlock with each other in the opposite directions with respect to the above-described directions. 
   In the air-conditioning register  1  according to Example No. 3, the damper-interlocking fin member  35  is not connected with the horizontal fin members  30 . Therefore, the damper-interlocking fin member  35  is less likely to rattle. Additionally, the damper-interlocking fin member  35  can be controlled reliably. Further, it is unnecessary to secure such a space as the space “S” shown in  FIG. 6 . Furthermore, it is possible to obviate such a mechanism for absorbing the swing-angle difference between the damper-interlocking fin member  35  and the horizontal fin members  30 . Thus, the structure of the air-conditioning register  1  according to Example No. 3 is simplified. Moreover, the damper-interlocking fin member  35  interlocks with the other horizontal fin members  30  in a simulating manner. Accordingly, an operator can visually confirm with ease whether the damper  7  shuts off the flow of the air-conditioning air by the state of the damper-interlocking fin member  35  and the horizontal fin members  30  at the close position. In addition, the damper-interlocking fin member  35  is disposed horizontally to the inner surface of the retainer body  20  at the open position. Consequently, the damper-interlocking fin member  35  is less likely to inhibit the flow of the air-conditioning air at the open position. 
   Modified Versions 
   Heretofore, a few of the embodiment modes of the present air-conditioning register are described. However, the embodiment modes are not limited to the above-described embodiment modes particularly. It is possible to perform the present air-conditioning register in various modified embodiment modes or improved embodiment modes which one of ordinary skill in the art can carry out. 
   For example, in the above-described examples, the lowermost fin member functions as the dummy fin member  34  or the damper-interlocking fin member  35 . However, the uppermost fin member can function as the dummy fin member  34  or the damper-interlocking fin member  35 . Further, the uppermost and lowermost fin members can function as the dummy fin member  34  or the damper-interlocking fin member  35 . Furthermore, in the examples, the dummy fin member  34  or the damper-interlocking fin member  35  is disposed in the horizontal fin assembly  3 . However, the dummy fin member  34  or the damper-interlocking fin member  35  can be disposed in the vertical fin assembly. Moreover, it is possible to embody the present air-conditioning register as air-conditioning registers whose vertical fin dial is not disposed under the outlet port  210 . In addition, it is possible as well to embody the present air-conditioning register as air-conditioning registers for household indoor air conditioners, not limited to those for vehicle air conditioners. 
   Having now fully described the present invention, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that many changes and modifications can be made thereto without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention as set forth herein including the appended claims.