Patent Publication Number: US-2018051902-A1

Title: Air Diverting Apparatus and Methods for Construction Thereof

Description:
COPYRIGHT NOTICE 
     A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever. 37 CFR 1.71(d). 
     FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates generally to air diverters, and more specifically, the present disclosure relates to an apparatus for diverting air from outlet duct registers of HVAC (Heating Ventilating Air Conditioning) systems and a method for constructing the apparatus thereof. 
     BACKGROUND 
     HVAC systems perform the functions of heating, ventilating, and air conditioning within a closed indoor area. The HVAC systems are installed to provide thermal comfort and quality air conditioning through balanced room air distribution, and ventilation as well. 
     The room air distribution is provided by the means of outlet duct registers of the HVAC indoor installation. The outlet duct registers are the vents at the termination of an outlet of the HVAC system that allow the air to flow in a particular direction. For example, a duct installed in the ceiling facilitates in providing a downward flow of air. This often results in causing discomfort to the people receiving the direct flow of the cold/hot air from above. Sometimes it is therefore preferred to divert the air to a different direction so that the flow of air may be optimized and it may not cause irritation and discomfort to people. 
     Various solutions are known in the art that provide attempts to cater to the above-mentioned problem. Generally, the outlet duct registers are provided with few guide vanes that directs the flow of air in a particular direction. However, such arrangement fails to provide optimized and balanced flow of air. Another solution is known in the art that provide vent covers to close the vents. However, the vent covers blocks the flow of air completely which may not be desirable. Further, the existing guide vanes are part of most outlet duct registers, and where it is not part the vane covers may generally be difficult to attach or connect to the HVAC outlet duct register. The guide vanes generally consist of complex attachments and assemblies are therefore factory fitted, which cannot be altered by an end user. 
     In view of the above, a need exists for an air diverting apparatus that provides an optimized, efficient and balanced distribution of air flow from the HVAC outlet duct registers installed within a room. There is also a need to provide a method of constructing the novel air diverting apparatus that can be installed effortlessly and at a low cost to the outlet duct registers. 
     SUMMARY 
     This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor it is intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter. 
     In accordance with the above, it is an object of the present disclosure to provide a light weight, aesthetically appealing, and durable air diverting apparatus that diverts the air flow in an optimized way. 
     Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a method for constructing an air diverting apparatus for providing optimized flow of the air from the outlet duct registers of an HVAC system. 
     In one embodiment herein, the air diverting apparatus comprises a thin sheet having a flat surface. The flat surface includes a middle part, three tabs, and two ends that are tapered. The middle part contains a first tab of the three tabs, and is adapted between the two tapering ends. The second tab and the third tab are provided on the two tapering ends. The three tabs and the two tapering ends are folded for being mounted on outlet duct registers of an indoor installation of an HVAC system. The two tapering ends are folded at an appropriate angle as desired, for providing indoor air flow and indoor air diversion in an optimized manner. 
     In another embodiment of the present disclosure, a method is disclosed for constructing an air diverting apparatus. The method comprises the steps of: molding a thin sheet having a flat surface to provide a middle part, three tabs, and two tapering ends, the middle part containing a first tab of the three tabs and being adapted between the two tapering ends; providing a groove on each of the two tapering ends and each of the three tabs; and folding at an angle, each of the two tapering ends along the corresponding bend groove, further folding the three tabs along the provided bend grooves, wherein the folded two tapering ends are inclined to align the middle part at an angle with respect to the outlet duct registers of an indoor installation of an HVAC system, and wherein the folded three tabs are inserted and clamped between wall and the outlet duct register&#39;s periphery for providing indoor air flow and indoor air diversion in an optimized manner. 
     The thin sheet can be molded into a required shape by using an injection mold. The thin sheet can also be molded by using a heated tool that molds and cuts the thin sheet into required shape. 
     In various embodiments of the present disclosure, the middle part is an elongated and a rectangular shaped part. Further, the two tapering ends are triangular shaped ends that can be folded at an angle. A pair of grooves are provided at the juncture of the middle part and each of the two ends for allowing the folds of the two ends. Also provided, three bend grooves on the three tabs that can be folded for easy installation of the apparatus. The foldable ends make an angle, preferably an angle, such as an angle of 45 degrees with the plane of register surface, when the apparatus is mounted on the outlet duct registers. The apparatus is a low cost, a light weight and durable air diverting apparatus that can be mounted on the outlet duct registers using at least one pair of fasteners. 
     These together with the other aspects of the present disclosure, along with the various features of novelty that characterize the present disclosure, are pointed out with particularity in the present disclosure. For a better understanding of the present disclosure, its operating advantages, and its uses, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The foregoing summary, as well as the following Detailed Description of preferred embodiments, is better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purposes of illustration, there is shown in the drawings exemplary embodiments; however, the present disclosure is not limited to the specific methods and instrumentalities disclosed. In the drawings: 
         FIG. 1  shows the pre-installed flat view of the air diverting apparatus that can be mounted or fastened on the outlet duct registers of the indoor installation of an HVAC system, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIGS. 2A and 2B  respectively show a front view and an isometric view of the air diverting apparatus, installed on the outlet duct registers, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure; and 
         FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C  illustrate the mechanisms of installation of the apparatus on the outlet duct registers by means of fasteners and corresponding holes, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The following description and drawings are illustrative and are not to be construed as limiting. Numerous specific details are described to provide a thorough understanding. However, in certain instances, well known or conventional details are not described in order to avoid obscuring the description. References to one or an embodiment in the present disclosure are not necessarily references to the same embodiment; and, such references mean at least one. 
     Reference in this specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the disclosure. The appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, nor are separate or alternative embodiments mutually exclusive of other embodiments. Moreover, various features are described which may be exhibited by some embodiments and not by others. Similarly, various requirements are described which may be requirements for some embodiments but not other embodiments. 
     Reference throughout this specification to “a select embodiment,” “one embodiment,” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the disclosed subject matter. Thus, appearances of the phrases “a select embodiment,” “in one embodiment,” or “in an embodiment” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. 
     The present disclosure provides a novel and unique solution to construct and provide a light weight air diverting apparatus that diverts the air flow from air ducts/vents of an HVAC system. The following description employ the terms ‘air diverter’ and ‘air diverting apparatus,’ as the umbrella terms to describe the embodiments of the present disclosure, but those skilled in the art will appreciate that the use of such term is not to be considered limiting to the scope of the present disclosure, which is set forth by the claims appearing at the end of this description. 
       FIG. 1  shows the pre-installed flat view of the air diverting apparatus  100  that can be mounted or fastened on the outlet duct registers of the indoor installation of an HVAC system. In one embodiment of the present disclosure the air diverting apparatus  100  comprises a thin sheet having a flat surface. The flat surface of the thin sheet comprises a middle part  102  and two ends, a first end  104   a  and a second end  104   b . The middle part  102  is an elongated part. The elongated middle part  102  of the flat surface possess larger surface area as compared to that of the two ends  104   a, b . In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the middle part  102  is a rectangular shaped surface, while the two ends  104   a,b  are in triangular shapes as shown in the figure. Thus the two ends  104   a, b  are tapered at the finishing end. Each of the two tapered ends  104   a, b  lies on the corresponding shorter edge of the rectangular middle part  102 . The two triangular ends are foldable ends  104   a, b  that can be completely folded on top/beneath the middle part  102  when the apparatus  100  is not installed on the outlet duct registers. 
     This type of foldable design allows easy packaging of the apparatus  100  and also facilitates in easy maintenance and storage when the apparatus is not in use. Five bend reliefs may be provided on the surface area of the apparatus that helps in installation of the apparatus on the outlet duct registers. A pair of grooves  106   a ,  106   b  of the five bends, may be provided at the shorter edges of the middle part  102  so that the triangular ends  104   a,b  can easily be folded. The remaining three bend relieves  106   c ,  106   d ,  106   e  are provided on the three edges of the apparatus as shown. The bend reliefs  106   c ,  106   d ,  106   e  are bend to form three tabs  108   a ,  108   b ,  108   c . The three tabs  108   c ,  108   d ,  108   e  are folded and inserted between the outlet duct register surface and the wall, such that the tabs  108   a - 108   c  rests behinds the periphery of the outlet duct register. The apparatus  100  can be installed on the outlet duct registers such that the triangular ends make an appropriate angle with the plane of the register surface. In various embodiments of the present disclosure, the triangular ends  104   a,b  may make various angles with the plane of the outlet duct register surface. The angle of the fold of the two ends  104   a,b  facilitates in mounting the apparatus  100  on the existing outlet duct registers such that the air flow is diverted in an optimized way and any individual or group do not feel any discomfort due to the direct blow of hot/cold air. 
     In one embodiment of the present disclosure the air diverting apparatus or the air diverter  100  is manufactured using a single piece of a flat surfaced material. In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the two ends  104   a, b  may be detached from the middle part  102  and may be attached/engaged again with the help of one or more locking means. In the embodiments of the present disclosure, the apparatus  100  may be manufactured using lightweight and durable materials including but not limited to plastics, for example, polyethylene. Further, the apparatus may be manufactured using attractive colors and design patterns on the middle part surface and the foldable ends surfaces. This enhances the aesthetic look of the apparatus  100 . 
       FIGS. 2A and 2B  respectively show the front view and the isometric view of the air diverting apparatus  100 . As seen in  FIG. 2A , the front view of the apparatus  100  shows the middle part  102  that contains at least one pair of fastener accessing holes  102   a . The fastener accessing holes  102   a  are provided to enable the screw driver to be inserted thereto tighten register fastener  202  (shown in  FIG. 2B ) to fasten the apparatus  100  on the outlet duct registers  204 . As seen in  FIG. 2B , the outlet duct registers  204  are generally in a rectangular shape. The register fastener  202  of the outlet duct registers  204  are on the shorter edge of the rectangular outlet duct registers  204 . The apparatus  100  can also be fastened to the outlet duct registers  204  by the means of the register screw  202 . The apparatus  100  is installed on the outlet duct registers  204  such that the triangular ends make a particular angle, preferably 45 degrees, with the plane of the register surface  204 . The angle of the foldable ends facilitates in optimized air flow and air diversion. 
       FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C  illustrate the installation of the apparatus  100  on the outlet duct registers  204  by means of fasteners and corresponding holes. As explained above, the middle part contains at least one pair of fastener accessing holes  102   a , as seen in  FIG. 3A . These are the clearance holes that may help in accessing the register fasteners  202  during installation or removal of the apparatus  100 . Further, as seen in  FIG. 3B  the register fasteners  202  and fasteners accessing holes  102   a  of  FIG. 3A  is shown in an enlarged view. Further,  FIG. 3C  illustrates the front view of the triangular shaped end or the tapered end  104 . 
     In one embodiment of the present disclosure, a method is provided for constructing the novel air diverting apparatus that can be effortlessly installed to the outlet duct registers. The method comprises the steps of: molding a thin sheet having a flat surface to provide a middle part and two tapering ends, the middle part being adapted between the two tapering ends; providing a bend groove on each of the two tapering ends; and folding at an angle, each of the two tapering ends along the corresponding bend groove, wherein the folded two tapering ends are mounted on outlet duct registers of an indoor installation of an HVAC system for providing indoor air flow and indoor air diversion in an optimized manner. The thin sheet can be molded into a required shape by using an injection mold. The thin sheet can also be molded by using a heated tool that molds and cuts the thin sheet into required shape. 
     Thus, the present disclosure provides a unique and novel air diverting apparatus, and a method for its construction. The constructed apparatus is a low cost, attractive, light weight apparatus that is easy to manufacture and install on the existing HVAC vents having the outlet duct registers. The light weight and durability features of the air diverting apparatus, makes the apparatus easy to handle and easy to transport from one location to another. 
     The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present disclosure have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present disclosure to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the present disclosure and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the present disclosure and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omission and substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstance may suggest or render expedient, but such are intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the present disclosure.