Patent Publication Number: US-11378302-B2

Title: Floor vent assembly

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/833,067 filed on Dec. 6, 2017, the contents of which are hereby expressly incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Floor vents generally allow for the passage of air from heating/ventilation/air conditioning (HVAC) systems into a room. Floor vents typically have covers that are installed such that they protrude above the surrounding floor surface. In addition to their general lack of aesthetic appeal resulting from the discontinuity in floor surface and/or materials, the protrusion of conventional floor vent covers can create a tripping hazard or interfere with the placement of furniture. While some vents have been developed more recently that have a lower profile, they typically employ fixed openings that do not allow for adjustment of a flow rate of air through the vent or for the vent to be closed. 
     Accordingly, there is a need for an improved floor vent that addressed the above shortcomings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Referring now to the drawings, exemplary illustrations are shown in detail. Although the drawings represent some examples, the drawings are not necessarily to scale and certain features may be exaggerated, removed, or partially sectioned to better illustrate and explain the present invention. Further, the exemplary illustrations set forth herein are not intended to be exhaustive or otherwise limit or restrict the claims to the precise forms and configurations shown in the drawings and disclosed in the following detailed description: 
         FIG. 1A  is an exploded perspective view of a floor vent assembly with a vent cover in an open orientation, according to one example; 
         FIG. 1B  is an exploded perspective view of the floor vent assembly of  FIG. 1A  with the vent cover in a closed or obstructed orientation, according to an example approach; 
         FIG. 2  is a section view of the floor vent assembly of  FIGS. 1A and 1B , with the vent cover installed in an open orientation, according to one example; 
         FIG. 3A  is a top view of the vent cover assembly of  FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 2  with the vent cover installed in an open orientation, according to an example approach; 
         FIG. 3B  is a top view of the vent cover assembly of  FIGS. 1A, 1B, 2, and 3A  with the vent cover installed in a closed or obstructed orientation, according to one example approach; 
         FIG. 4  is an exploded perspective view of another vent cover assembly having a support frame secured to a subfloor, according to one example illustration; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the vent cover assembly of  FIG. 5 , with a support plate installed within the support frame, according to one example illustration; 
         FIG. 6A  is a perspective view of a template for establishing a vent aperture in a floor and/or subfloor, according to one example; 
         FIG. 6B  is a perspective view of a template for establishing a vent aperture in a floor and/or subfloor, according to an exemplary approach; and 
         FIG. 7  is a process flow diagram for an example method of providing a floor vent assembly. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Exemplary illustrations are disclosed below in regard to a vent cover assembly and associated methods, such as for installing a vent cover assembly. Generally, a vent cover assembly may be installed flush with the surrounding area, i.e., the surrounding floor surface, such that it does not protrude outward from the surface of the flooring, or noticeably so. Moreover, there is generally no restriction on what materials the vent cover can formed of. In some examples, the vent cover is formed from the same material as the flooring, so as to blend in with the flooring. While the various examples herein are directed to floor vents located within floors, example illustrations may also be adapted for use in other surfaces, e.g., wall surfaces or ceilings. 
     Example vent cover assemblies may also permit opening and closing of the vent, thereby permitting selective adjustment to a flow of heated/cooled air into a room. In at least some examples, a floor vent assembly includes a support plate and a vent cover that each define respective airflow openings. More specifically, the support plate may be configured to be secured over a duct, and define a plurality of first airflow apertures through which air may flow from the duct. A flush mount vent cover may have an upper surface configured to extend substantially continuous with an adjacent floor surface when installed overlying the support plate, thereby providing a substantially flush floor surface. The vent cover defines a second plurality of airflow apertures that are positioned in the vent cover such that they are aligned with the first airflow apertures when the vent cover is in a first installed position overlying the support plate, thereby allowing air to flow from the duct and into the room. In a second installed position overlying the support plate, the vent cover obstructs the first airflow apertures, thereby restricting or cutting off entirely the flow of air from the duct into the room. The vent cover may be selectively repositioned between the first and second installed positions, thereby allowing selective opening/closing of the vent cover assembly. 
     In some examples, a vent cover assembly may be used in connection with a floating floor, i.e., a floor that is laid over a subfloor without being nailed, glued, bonded, or otherwise permanently affixed directly to the subfloor. In such floating floor installations, the support plate may generally be enlarged with respect to an opening in the floor surface through which a heating/ventilation/air conditioning (HVAC) duct forces air. For example, an outer perimeter of the support plate may be sandwiched between an underside of the flooring and the subfloor (which is disposed beneath the flooring). The vent cover may be relatively smaller than the support plate in these cases, fitting into an opening defined by the floor surface. 
     In other examples, a vent cover assembly may be installed into a fixed flooring system, i.e., where the flooring is secured to a subfloor by way of nails, glue, bonding, or the like. In these examples, an outer frame may be provided which at least partially surrounds the support plate. The outer frame may be secured to a subfloor, within an aperture in the flooring provided for an HVAC duct. The outer frame, by being secured to the subfloor, generally maintains a fixed space for the support plate in the flooring system, and permits the support plate to be selectively removeable from the outer frame. 
     As generally noted above, example vent covers may include openings or apertures that are selectively aligned with corresponding openings or apertures in the support plate, thereby permitting opening/closing of the vent assembly. In some examples, the openings of the vent cover may be asymmetrically aligned with an outer perimeter of the vent cover. The vent cover may be installed overlying the support plate in two distinct positions relative to the support plate. More specifically, in a first position, the openings of the vent cover will generally line up with the openings of the support plate, thereby freely allowing the passage of air from the duct to pass through the vent cover assembly. The vent cover may then be lifted out of the assembly, rotated 180 degrees, and reinstalled overlying the support plate in a second position. In the second position, the openings of the vent cover are shifted laterally with respect to those of the support plate as a result of the asymmetric arrangement of the apertures in the vent cover. Accordingly, airflow through the vent cover assembly from the duct is inhibited or blocked entirely. 
     Turning now to  FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 2 , an example vent cover assembly  100   a  is illustrated and described in further detail in connection with a floating floor. More specifically, a floating floor  102  is generally overlaid upon a subfloor  104  ( FIGS. 1A and 1B  are vertically exploded views, and thus floor  102  is shown spaced vertically away from the subfloor  104  in those examples). The floating floor  102 , however, is not directly secured to the subfloor  104 , e.g., by nails or other mechanical fasteners, glue, or the like, and thus is decoupled from the subfloor  104  (hence the “floating” nomenclature). Moreover, while the floating floor  102  is generally stationary upon the subfloor  104 , the floating floor  102  may be spaced from associated walls of the room (not shown) by a relatively small space or gap to permit expansion/contraction of the floating floor  102 , allow for manufacturing tolerances, etc. 
     The vent cover assembly  100   a  may include a support plate  108  and a vent cover  106 . The vent cover assembly  100   a  may be installed over an HVAC duct opening  110  in the floating floor  102 , which conducts heated or cooled air into a room associated with the floor  102  and subfloor  104 . It should be understood that the disclosed assembly can be used with any number of different flooring systems and is not specifically limited to the floating floor system of  FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 2 . 
     The floor  102  may be formed of any flooring material that is convenient, such as laminate, engineered wood, solid wood, vinyl, cork, bamboo or any alternative material suitable for flooring. Furthermore, as will be described further below, the floor vent assembly  100   a  can be installed generally at the same time the floor  102  is installed (e.g., in a new construction application) or after the floor  102  is installed (i.e., as a replacement for an existing floor vent). While the flooring  102  is cut away in  FIGS. 1A and 1B  to better illustrate the structure of the vent assembly  100   a , it may extend substantially over an entire subfloor  104 , and may generally surround the vent cover  106 . Flooring  102  in one example can be a rectangular piece of laminate wood flooring as illustrated, but it should be appreciated that flooring of any shape or configuration can also be used. 
     In the example illustrated in  FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 2 , an outermost perimeter  112  of the support plate  108  is sandwiched between the subfloor  104  and floor  102 , and the main portion of the support plate  108  sits atop the opening to the vent. The vent cover  106  rests directly upon the support plate  108 , and is of such a thickness as to allow it to lay flush with the surrounding floor. For example, as best seen in  FIG. 2 , an upper surface  106 ′ of the vent cover  106  is generally parallel to and substantially continuous with a flooring upper surface  102 ′. Both the support plate  108  and vent cover  106  define airflow apertures  114  and  116 , respectively, to allow for airflow from the vent opening  110  into the. 
     As best seen in  FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 2 , the support plate  108  is illustrated in a rectangular shape, however it should be noted that any shape convenient may be used. The support plate  108  may be relatively thinner than the floor  102  and subfloor  104 , allowing it to fit between the subfloor  104  and floor  102  without creating a noticeable or significant difference in floor height around the vent cover assembly  100   a . At the same time, the support plate  108  may be strong enough to support any reasonable weight or pressure that ordinary flooring would be expected to withstand. Moreover, the support plate  108  may be formed of any material that is flexible and can withstand the varying temperature of air that is expected to be released by an HVAC system. One example of a suitable material for the support plate is steel. In a further example, the support plate is formed of a 20-gauge stainless steel plate ( 1/32 inches thick). This thickness is also within generally accepted height variations for flooring. In other words, while the support plate  108  may cause a small relative vertical spacing between the subfloor  104  and floor  102  adjacent the vent cover  106  (best seen in  FIG. 2 ), this relatively small spacing may be within generally accepted height variations for flooring systems. 
     Additionally, while the support plate  108  and the support plate outermost perimeter  112  are illustrated in  FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 2  as being formed integrally together, the support plate  108  need not be a monolithic single piece. Merely by way of example, it is possible for the support plate  108  and the support plate outermost perimeter  112  to be made of differing materials. In some applications, for example, the support plate could be steel and the support plate outermost perimeter could be rubber or plastic. In another example, the support plate  108  may be formed of a generally single monolithic sheet steel, with the outer perimeter  112  being coated, e.g., with a rubber or plastic material, to facilitate installation of the support plate  108 , inhibit corrosion, or the like. 
     The support plate  108 , as illustrated in the example of  FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 2 , is generally larger than the vent opening  110 , such that the support plate outermost perimeter  112  extends past the perimeter of the vent opening  110  by some distance, thereby supporting the support plate  108 . The support plate outermost perimeter  112  should be sufficiently large enough that it will allow for the support plate  108  to be held in place while sandwiched between the floor  102  and subfloor  104 , and for the remaining exposed portion of the support plate  108  to receive the vent cover  106 . 
     The vent cover  106  comprises a plurality of vent cover air flow apertures  116  and in one example is able to be removably placed over the support plate  108 . More specifically, the vent cover  106  may be overlaid upon the support plate  108 , with the vent cover apertures  116  positioned above the corresponding support plate airflow apertures  114 . The vent cover air flow apertures  116  span the depth of the vent cover  106 , such that they extend from an uppermost surface  106 ′, downward and through the vent cover  106 . As illustrated, the support plate airflow apertures  114  and  116  may each be generally elongated or rectangular shaped. However, it should be noted that other shapes and configurations of the openings  114 ,  116  can be used. For example, instead of having two rows of apertures as illustrated in  FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 2 , there could be a single row of longer apertures that are longer. Moreover, while the apertures  114  in the support plate  108  are illustrated as having substantially identical size and shape as the apertures  116  of the vent cover  106 , this is not required. 
     The vent cover  106  is of an appropriate size to fit over an exposed portion of the support plate  108  and fill any gaps in the flooring  102  surrounding the vent cover  106 . The vent cover  106  has a vent cover outermost perimeter  118  that is generally smaller than the support plate  108  and the support plate outer perimeter  112 , as best seen in  FIGS. 1A and 1B . 
     As mentioned above, in some examples the vent cover  106  is made out of the same material as the flooring  102  so as to blend in with the flooring and be unobtrusive. Any flooring material such as laminate, engineered wood, solid wood, vinyl, cork, bamboo or any alternative material suitable for flooring may be employed in connection with the vent cover  106  and/or flooring  102 . Merely by way of example, the vent cover  106  and floor  102  are each illustrated as having a matching woodgrain appearance on the upper surfaces  106 ′,  102 ′ thereof, respectively. 
     As best seen in  FIG. 2 , the vent cover  106  may be trimmed down on a back side or underside thereof, to accommodate the depth of the vent opening, i.e., from the support plate  108  to the upper surface  102 ′ of the floor  102 , so that the vent cover  106  lays flush with the surrounding floor  102 . When the support plate  108  is made of steel (or any other magnetically susceptible material), the vent cover  106  may have a magnetic material layer  120  applied to a backside or underside of the vent cover  106 , so as to help with maintaining the installed position of the vent cover  106  upon the support plate  108 . The magnetic material layer  120  may cover a portion of or the entire underside surface of the vent cover  106  (as best seen in  FIG. 2 ). Where the magnetic material layer  120  extends across the entire backside of the vent cover  106 , the magnetic material layer  120  may also be cut with openings aligned to the vent cover airflow apertures  116  of the vent cover  106 . 
     As mentioned above, in the example illustrated in  FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 2 , the airflow apertures  116  are defined by the vent cover  106  such that they are positioned asymmetrically lengthwise with respect to the vent cover outermost perimeter  118 . The vent cover assembly  100   a  may thereby be opened and closed by simply lifting and rotating the vent cover  106 . More specifically, as shown in  FIGS. 1A, 2, and 3A , the vent cover  106  may be placed in a first position overlying the support plate  108 . In the first position, the vent cover apertures  116  are aligned with the support plate apertures  114 , such that airflow from the duct  110  through the vent cover assembly  100   a  is freely permitted. The vent cover assembly  100   a  may be closed by lifting the vent cover  106  from the support plate  108 , rotating the vent cover  106  by 180 degrees, and replacing upon the support plate  108 . As shown in  FIGS. 1B and 3B , in this second position the vent cover apertures  116  are shifted with respect to the support plate apertures  114 , such that the vent cover apertures  116  are no longer aligned vertically with respect to the support plate apertures  114 . As such, the support plate  108  partially or entirely blocks the vent cover apertures  116 , and airflow through the support plate apertures  114  is inhibited or blocked entirely. It should be noted that any degree of asymmetry of the vent cover apertures  116  may be employed that is convenient. In the drawings, particularly in  FIGS. 3A and 3B , the asymmetry of the vent cover apertures  116  with respect to the outer perimeter  118  of the vent cover  106  is visually emphasized in order to more effectively illustrate the effect of the asymmetry. In practice, however, the vent cover apertures  116  need only be asymmetric with respect to the symmetrical outer perimeter  118  of the vent cover  106  to a relatively small degree. More specifically, the vent cover apertures  116  need only be asymmetric to a sufficient degree that allows sufficient shifting of the apertures  116  with respect to the support plate apertures  114  when the vent cover  106  is switched between the first and second installed positions overlying the support plate  108 . 
     The provision of a magnetic material layer  120  on the backside/underside of the vent cover  106  may enhance the degree to which the vent cover  106  blocks airflow through the support plate apertures  114 , by ensuring the vent cover  106  remains positioned in direct contact with the support plate  108  despite a relatively increased air pressure in the duct opening  110  due to the operation of the HVAC system. 
     While the vent cover apertures  116  are illustrated in  FIGS. 1B and 3B  as entirely obstructing the support plate apertures  114  in the second/closed position, in other examples the apertures  114 ,  116  could be offset such that when rotated the support plate apertures  114  would be only partially blocked by the vent cover  106 , so as to allow some air to enter the room but not as much as when the vent cover assembly  100   a  is fully open. Additionally, while the asymmetry of the vent cover apertures  116  is illustrated as being with respect to a length of the vent cover  106 , it is possible to achieve the same results by placing the airflow apertures of the vent cover asymmetrically with respect to the width (i.e., shorter dimension) of the vent cover. Accordingly, any asymmetrical arrangement of the apertures  116  with respect to a symmetric outer perimeter  118  of the vent cover  106  may be employed that is convenient. Moreover, while the symmetrical vent cover outer perimeter  118  of the vent cover  106  is illustrated herein with a generally rectangular shape typical of vent registers, any other shape may be employed that is convenient. 
     The vent cover assembly  100   a  may be installed at the time of installation of the floor  102 , or as a replacement to an existing vent/register in the floor  102 . When installed at the same time as floor  102 , some or all of the material used to form the vent cover  106  may be cut directly from the floor  102 , thereby providing the opening in the floor  102  for the duct  110 . The support plate  108  may be positioned upon the duct  110 , and the floor  102  overlaid upon the subfloor  104 , thereby retaining the support plate  108  against the subfloor  104 . Conveniently, where the installation is being made into a floating floor system, e.g., such as with floor  102 , the location of a hole cut for the vent is not as essential as the dimension of the hole, as the entire floor  102  is decoupled from the subfloor  104  (i.e., “floating”) and is not fixed to the subfloor  104 . Examples for providing an appropriate hole in the floor  102  will be discussed further below. 
     Turning now to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , another example vent cover assembly  100   b  is illustrated. The vent cover assembly  100   b  includes a vent cover  206  having vent cover apertures  116  which are selectively aligned with and offset with respect to support plate apertures  114 . Accordingly, repositioning of the vent cover  206  in the first and second positions, and opening/closing of the vent cover assembly  100   b  in general is as described above in connection with vent cover assembly  100   a.    
     The vent cover assembly  100   b  includes an outer frame  208   a  and support plate  208   b , upon which the vent cover  206  is overlaid. The outer frame  208   a  is secured to subfloor  104  by one or more mechanical fasteners  243 , e.g., screws or the like. The floor  202 , in contrast to the floating floor  102  described above, may be a fixed flooring system, i.e., such that the floor  202  is secured to the subfloor  104  with nails, glue, or any other means that is convenient. A hole in the floor  202  may be cut such that the subfloor  104  is partially exposed, allowing the outer frame  208   a  to be directly fixed to the subfloor  104 , as best seen in  FIG. 4 . The outer frame  208   a  may partially or entirely surround the support plate  208   b , and generally provide a fixed position for the support plate  208   b  with respect to the subfloor  104  and floor  202 . Additionally, while the outer frame  208   a  is generally secured to the subfloor  104  with the mechanical fasteners  243 , the support plate  208   b  is selectively removable from the outer frame  208   a , thereby permitting removal for access to the duct opening  110  beneath. The outer frame  208   a  defines a plurality of recess openings  232 , which receive corresponding tabs  230  of the support plate  208   b . Moreover, the tabs  230  may rest upon the portion of the subfloor  104  supporting the outer frame  208   a , thereby vertically retaining the support plate  208   b  within the outer frame  208   a.    
     In contrast to the relatively larger support plate  108  (which has an outer perimeter  112  extending beyond the outer perimeter  118  of the vent cover  106 ) illustrated in  FIGS. 1A, 1B , and  2 , the support plate/outer frame assembly  208   a / 208   b  may be relatively smaller. More specifically, as best seen in  FIG. 4 , the outer frame  208   a  and support plate  208   b  together may have a same width and length as the vent cover  206 . A hole cut into the floor  202  may therefore be large enough to receive the outer frame  208   a /support plate  208   b , and the vent cover  206  overlying upon the outer frame  208   a /support plate  208   b.    
     Conveniently, the fixing of the outer frame  208   a  to the subfloor  104  allows the vent cover  206  to be installed some time after initial installation of the floor  202 . In one example, upon installation of the fixed floor  202 , a hole may be cut in the floor  202  corresponding to the location of the duct  110 . Material removed from the floor  202  may, in some cases, be used to form the vent cover  206 . Forming the vent cover  206  from the removed material may require offsite processing, e.g., cutting of the vent cover apertures  116 , thinning of the vent cover  206  to allow addition of magnetic material layer  120 , etc. During the time this offsite processing or manufacturing occurs, the support plate  208   b  and outer frame  208   a  may remain installed, since the outer frame  208   a  is fixed in place with respect to the subfloor  104 , as is the surrounding floor  202 . The fixing of the outer frame  208   a  may advantageously allow installation of flush mount vent cover assembly  100   b  to be completed some time after the fixed floor  202  is installed (e.g., sufficient to allow offsite processing/manufacturing of the vent cover  206 ). As such, it is not required to install the vent cover assembly  100   b  at the time of installation of the surrounding fixed floor  202 . The fixed floor  202 , in contrast to a floating floor such as floor  102 , generally must be accurately positioned with respect to the vent  110  (due to the need to generally fix the lateral position of the fixed floor  202  with respect to the subfloor  104 ), and the outer frame  208   a  may hold that position (and space for the vent cover  206 ) properly by being fixed to the subfloor  104 . 
     Accordingly, in both the floating floor  102  (illustrated in  FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 2 ) and fixed floor  202  (illustrated in  FIGS. 4 and 5 ) examples, a vent cover assembly  100   a ,  100   b  may be installed at the time of installation of the floor  102 / 202 , or as a replacement to an existing vent/register in the floor  102 / 202 , respectively. In examples where the vent cover assembly  100   a ,  100   b  is being installed as a replacement for an existing vent or register, or as an entirely new vent, an opening may be cut in floor  102 ,  202  in an appropriate location (i.e., corresponding to the position of the duct  110 ) using a frame or other template that defines an appropriate size/shape for the opening. 
     Turning now to  FIGS. 6A and 6B , examples of a template are illustrated, which may be used to form a hole or aperture in a floor  102 ,  202  for installing a flush mount vent cover assembly  100   a ,  100   b.    
     In  FIG. 6A , a frame  300   a  is illustrated that may be used to form a hole in the floating floor  102  corresponding to the duct opening  110 . A hole of similar or identical size may be formed in the subfloor  104  using the frame  300   a . The frame  300   a  generally defines an interior dimension corresponding to the hole being formed in the floor  102  and subfloor  104 . The frame  300   a  may be secured to the floor  102 , e.g., by way of mechanical fasteners such as self-tapping screws  304  which are received in offset tabs  302 . A saw, grinding tool, cutting tool, or the like may be used to cut away material from the floor  102  within the frame  300 . 
     The frame  300   a  may be provided with an inside hole or dimension fractionally larger than the vent cover  106 , such that the vent cover  106  may be dropped in upon the support plate  108  (not shown in  FIG. 6A ) after the hole is cut in the floor  102  and subfloor  104 . The size and shape of the frame  300   a  will vary depending on the size of the vent cover  106  and flooring style. The frame  300   a  in one example is formed from a relatively thick steel plate, e.g., a 0.25-inch steel plate, however any material durable enough to maintain a rigid template for cutting the floor  102  may be employed. 
     In one example the template  300   a  may be secured to the flooring  102  using offset tabs  302 . The tabs  302 , as illustrated in  FIG. 6A , may be offset toward one side of the frame  300   a , although it is not required, so that the template may be flipped 180 degrees after a partial cutting of the floor  102  and/or subfloor  104  to allow for the remaining portion of the floor  102  and/or subfloor  104  initially covered by the tabs to be cut away. For example, the frame  300   a  may be secured to the floor  102 , and the floor  102  and subfloor  104  cut around the inside perimeter of the frame  300   a  (using, merely as examples, a saw, grinder, or the like) excepting the areas of the floor  102  covered by the tabs  302 . The frame  300   a  may then be removed, and the remaining material of the floor  102  disposed underneath the tabs  302  during initial cutting removed (without the assistance of the frame  300   a ). In another example approach, after initially attaching the frame  300   a , cuts in the floor  102  and/or subfloor  104  can be made along the sides of the frame  300   a  adjacent the tabs  302 . Then the frame  300   a  can be removed, flipped, and reattached to the floor  102  in the opposite position. When the cuts are made all the way around the remaining portion of the frame  300   a , the entire piece to be removed from the floor  102  will be free. In still another example, the frame  300   a  may be secured and cuts made around the entirety of the frame  300   a . The frame  300   a  may be subsequently flipped, and a fastener may be used to secure the frame  300   a  to the subfloor  104 , thus firmly adhering the template over the hole. Given the depth of the subfloor  104  beneath the floor  102  with respect to the frame  300   a , a relatively longer screw may be needed in order to secure the frame  300   a  to the subfloor  104 . 
     Once the hole in the floating floor  102  is formed, support plate  108  may be slid into position between the subfloor  104  and floating floor  102 . In the example illustrated in  FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 2 , the support plate  108  may be inserted with the shorter dimensioned end into the hole in the floor  102 . The support plate  108  may be relatively thin and have some flexibility, as noted above, permitting the support plate  108  to be turned and wedged in between the subfloor  104  and floating floor  102 . Once the support plate  108  is positioned, the vent cover  106  may be overlaid upon the support plate  108 . 
     Turning now to  FIG. 6B , frame  300   b  may be used in similar fashion to form a hole in fixed floor  202  as frame  300   a  is described above with respect to floating floor  102 . As shown in  FIG. 6B , frame  300   b  may be used to form a hole in the floor  202  corresponding to the duct opening  110 . The frame  300   b  generally defines an interior dimension corresponding to the hole being formed in the fixed floor  202 . Additionally, the frame  300   b  may be secured to the floor  202 , e.g., by way of mechanical fasteners such as self-tapping screws  304  which are received in tabs  302 . It should be noted that the frame  300   b  is used in generally identical fashion on the fixed floor  202  as frame  300   a  is used on floating floor  102 , apart from dimensional differences resulting from the differences outlined above regarding floating floor  102  and fixed floor  202  applications. For example, in the examples illustrated above for a fixed floor  202  in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the subfloor  104  may be exposed around the perimeter of the duct  110  in order to support the outer frame  208   a  and allow securing the outer frame  208   a  to the subfloor  104 . Accordingly, the floor  202  and subfloor  104  may be cut in separate stages, or using different templates or frames. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 7 , example methods associated with vent cover assemblies  100   a ,  100   b , e.g., for installing vent cover assemblies  100   a ,  100   b , are discussed in further detail. Process  700  may begin at block  705 , where a vent aperture or hole is formed in a floor. For example, as discussed above, where a hole in existing flooring is being cut to allow installation of the vent cover assembly, a frame or template, e.g., frame  300   a  or  300   b , may be affixed temporarily to the floor to guide the cutting/grinding process. Process  700  may then proceed to block  710 . 
     At block  710 , a support plate may be positioned adjacent a vent aperture defined by a flooring. For example, as described above, support plate  108  or outer frame  208   a  and support plate  208   b , may be positioned atop a duct opening  110 . As noted above, the support plates  108 ,  208   b  define a plurality of first airflow apertures  114  configured to permit airflow from a duct through the support plate  108 ,  208   b . Moreover, support plates  108 ,  208   b  may be installed in any manner convenient. For example, in a floating floor application, e.g., such as floor  102 , support plate  108  may be slid in between subfloor  104  and floor  102 . Alternatively, in a fixed floor application, outer frame  208   a  may be secured to a portion of the subfloor  104 , with the support plate  208   b  supported upon the subfloor  104  by way of tabs  230  of the support plate  208   b , as described above. 
     Proceeding to block  715 , the support plate may be overlaid with a flush mount vent cover having an upper surface configured to extend substantially continuous with an adjacent floor surface when installed overlying the support plate. For example, as described above, a vent cover  106 ,  206  may be overlaid upon a support plate  108 , or outer frame  208   a  and support plate  208   b , respectively. Moreover, the vent covers  106 ,  206  each define an upper surface extending parallel to, and substantially continuous with, that of surrounding floor  102 ,  202 , as noted above. The vent cover  106 ,  206  may define a second plurality of airflow apertures  116 . Moreover, the vent cover apertures  116  may be positioned in the vent cover  106 ,  206  such that the second plurality of airflow apertures are aligned with the first airflow apertures  114  of the support plate  108 ,  208   b  when the vent cover is in a first installed position overlying the support plate, and the vent cover obstructs the first airflow apertures  114  when the vent cover is in a second installed position overlying the support plate. 
     As also discussed above, in some example approaches, the vent cover  106 ,  206  may be formed of a same material as a surrounding flooring  102 ,  202  defining at least in part the vent aperture or duct opening  110 . Additionally, in some examples the second plurality of airflow apertures  116  may be positioned asymmetrically with respect to a vent cover outermost perimeter or outer symmetrical shape defined by the vent cover  106 ,  206 . The vent cover  106 ,  206  may be configured to be placed into a second installed position from the first installed position by removing, rotating the vent cover 180 degrees, and replacing the vent cover  106 ,  206  upon the support plate  108 ,  208   b . Process  700  may then proceed to block  720 . 
     At block  720 , process  700  may query whether vent cover assembly is being installed into a floating floor or non-floating floor application. Where a floating floor, e.g., floor  102 , is being employed, process  700  may proceed to block  725 . Alternatively, if a fixed floor application is used, e.g., floor  202 , process  700  may proceed to block  730 . 
     At block  725 , in a floating floor application the support plate  108  may define a support plate outermost perimeter  112  configured to be installed against or adjacent an underside of the floating floor  102  defining the adjacent floor surface  102 ′. Moreover, in such applications the vent cover  106  may define a vent cover outermost perimeter  118  disposed within, or otherwise smaller than, the support plate outer perimeter  112 . 
     At block  730 , if a vent cover assembly is being installed into a fixed floor application, at least a portion of the support plate may be surrounded with a support plate frame, e.g., outer frame  208   a . As noted above, in fixed floor applications a support plate  208   b  may be held in position by way of an outer frame  208   a  that is secured to the subfloor  104 . Moreover, the support plate  208   b  may be selectively removable from the outer frame  208   a  while the support plate frame  208   a  is secured to the subfloor, at least in a semi-permanent manner. For example, as described above an outer frame  208   a  may be secured to subfloor  104  by screws or other fasteners, thereby allowing the outer frame  208   a  to maintain a position upon the subfloor  104  with respect to the fixed floor  202 . 
     Reference in the specification to “one example,” “an example,” “one embodiment,” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the example is included in at least one example. The phrase “in one example” in various places in the specification does not necessarily refer to the same example each time it appears. 
     With regard to the processes, systems, methods, heuristics, etc. described herein, it should be understood that, although the steps of such processes, etc. have been described as occurring according to a certain ordered sequence, such processes could be practiced with the described steps performed in an order other than the order described herein. It further should be understood that certain steps could be performed simultaneously, that other steps could be added, or that certain steps described herein could be omitted. In other words, the descriptions of processes herein are provided for the purpose of illustrating certain embodiments, and should in no way be construed so as to limit the claimed invention. 
     Accordingly, it is to be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative and not restrictive. Many embodiments and applications other than the examples provided would be upon reading the above description. The scope of the invention should be determined, not with reference to the above description, but should instead be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. It is anticipated and intended that future developments will occur in the arts discussed herein, and that the disclosed systems and methods will be incorporated into such future embodiments. In sum, it should be understood that the invention is capable of modification and variation and is limited only by the following claims. 
     All terms used in the claims are intended to be given their broadest reasonable constructions and their ordinary meanings as understood by those skilled in the art unless an explicit indication to the contrary in made herein. In particular, use of the singular articles such as “a,” “the,” “said,” etc. should be read to recite one or more of the indicated elements unless a claim recites an explicit limitation to the contrary.