Patent Publication Number: US-11644216-B1

Title: Dynamic register system with an adapter member for oscillating air vents

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a dynamic register system and, more particularly, to a dynamic register system that includes an adapter member coupled to an axle which engages with venting panels to provide an oscillating motion to the vents. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Several designs for a dynamic register system have been designed in the past. None of them, however, include a dynamic register system including a rotor assembly, a vent assembly, and a housing assembly. The rotor assembly includes fan blades which are coupled to a gear system. The fan blades provide mechanical energy to the gear system as the fan blades spin. The vent assembly is couped to the gear system and includes an adapter arm. The adapter arm oscillates as a result of the turning of the gear system. Additionally, the vent assembly includes vents with lateral support structures coupled together with an axle. The adapter member engages with the axle which in turn allows for the oscillation of the vents. It is known that there is a need to efficiently distribute the airflow provided by an air vent in a given room. It is also known that traditional air vents and or registers are provided in a static system which direct air flow only in a prepositioned direction. This static system does not allow the air flow to be properly and evenly distributed throughout a room. Therefore, there is a need for a dynamic system without the need of electrical power which enables oscillating air vents to evenly and efficiently distribute air flow in a room. 
     Applicant believes that a related reference corresponds to U.S. Pat. No. 6,929,525 issued for a swinging decorative attachment comprising a base having at least one rack and one boring allowing airflow through the base. Applicant believes that another related reference corresponds to U.S. Pat. No. 2,417,303 issued for an electric fan with a housing for the working parts of an oscillating mechanism. However, the cited references differ from the present invention because they fail to disclose a rotor assembly which is coupled to a vent assembly for oscillating vents without the need of electrical power thereby distributing air flow evenly and efficiently in a room. The vent assembly includes an adapter member coupled to an axle which engages fan vents. The adapter member is in communication with a gear system which provides mechanical energy and rotates the adapter member. The present invention advantageously allows air flow to be evenly distributed in a room without the need for electrical power. 
     Other documents describing the closest subject matter provide for a number of more or less complicated features that fail to solve the problem in an efficient and economical way. None of these patents suggest the features of the present invention. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is one of the objects of the present invention to provide a dynamic register system which features oscillating air vents in order to evenly and efficiently distribute air flow in a given room. 
     It is another object of this invention to provide a dynamic register system which oscillates air vents without the need of external power. The energy from the air flow within an air duct used to oscillate an adapter member which in turn oscillates the air vents. 
     It is still another object of the present invention to provide a dynamic register system which is easily and efficiently implemented by enclosing the system within a housing that is mounted to an air duct. 
     It is still another object of the present invention to provide a dynamic register system which maintains comfortable air flow within a room environment by evenly distributing air being supplied to the room. 
     It is still another object of the present invention to provide a dynamic register system which can be easily installed onto existing air ducts. 
     It is yet another object of this invention to provide such a device that is inexpensive to implement and maintain while retaining its effectiveness. 
     Further objects of the invention will be brought out in the following part of the specification, wherein detailed description is for the purpose of fully disclosing the invention without placing limitations thereon. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       With the above and other related objects in view, the invention consists in the details of construction and combination of parts as will be more fully understood from the following description, when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG.  1    represents an operational isometric view of dynamic register system  10  mounted to an air duct in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG.  2    shows a front isometric view of the assembled dynamic register system  10  in accordance to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG.  3    illustrates a rear isometric view of the assembled dynamic register system  10  in accordance to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG.  4    is a representation of an isometric view of rotor assembly  20  communicably engaging with vent assembly  40  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG.  5    shows an isometric view of rotor assembly  20  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG.  6    illustrates an exploded view of rotor assembly  20  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG.  7    represents another exploded view of rotor assembly  20  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG.  8    shows yet another exploded view of rotor assembly  20  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG.  9    illustrates an isometric view of vent assembly  40  in accordance to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG.  10    is a representation of an exploded view of vent assembly  40  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG.  11    shows an isometric rear view of a frame portion of housing assembly  60  in accordance to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG.  12    illustrates an isometric rear view of a back portion of housing assembly  60  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG.  13    represents an isometric view of a brake assembly in accordance to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG.  14    is a side view of dynamic register system  10  showing the vents oscillating in an upward direction in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG.  15    is another side view of dynamic register system  10  showing the vents oscillating in a downward direction in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG.  16    is an internal front view of casing  26  depicting a worm wheel  26 A engaging with shaft  22  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG.  17    is an isometric top view of casing  26  depicting a configuration of the first gear  27  and second gear  28  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring now to the drawings, where the present invention is generally referred to with numeral  10 , it can be observed a dynamic register system  10  that basically includes a rotor assembly  20 , a vent assembly  40 , and a housing assembly  60 . 
     Rotor assembly  20  is effectively depicted in  FIGS.  5 - 8    of the provided drawings. In the present embodiment, rotor assembly  20  is a means for providing an oscillating motion. Rotor assembly  20  includes a fan blade  21 . As observed in  FIG.  6   , fan blades  21  may include blade portions that each meet at a center. The present invention may feature any number of blade portions which may be adjusted in order to configure the efficiency of the system  10 . In one implementation, fan blades  21  may be made of a metal or plastic material. It should be understood that other embodiments of the present invention may feature fan blades of varying shape and materials. Fan blade  21  engages a shaft  22  at the center. Further, shaft  22  is communicably coupled with a pedestal  24  with bushings  23 . 
     Pedestal  24  may be provided as a rectangular portion or any other shape for the portion and may have four outwardly protruding arms. The rectangular portion includes an opening in the center which receives shaft  22  having fan blade  21  mounted thereon. In the present embodiment, a bushing  23  is inserted onto the shaft  22  and positioned between the fan blade  21  and the pedestal  24 . Once inserted therethrough, another bushing  23  is inserted to the portion of the shaft  22  which protrudes from the rectangular portion of the pedestal. The present implementation features four protruding arms from the rectangular portion which are used to couple the pedestal  24  to housing assembly  60 . The four protruding arms may be provided as metal or plastic arms which protrude outwardly from each of the four corners of the rectangular portion. It should be understood that additional embodiments could feature any number of arms with any shape protruding from pedestal  24 . Additionally, each of the protruding arms includes a mounting member on a distal most end which is used to communicably engage with the housing assembly  60 . Other implementations may feature additional protruding arms for the pedestal  24 . 
     Rotor assembly  20  further includes a casing  26  which is coupled with a first gear  27  and a second gear  28 . In one embodiment, the casing  26  may be provided as being made of a metal or plastic material. Casing  26  houses a worm wheel  26 A which engages with shaft  22  that has fan blade  21  mounted thereon. In one embodiment, shaft  22  is a worm shaft which includes endless threading toward a distal end of the shaft  22  which engages with worm wheel  26 A in order to form a worm gear. This configuration can properly be observed in  FIG.  16    of the provided drawings. The distal end with the endless threading of the shaft  22  which protrudes outwardly from the opening of the rectangular portion of the pedestal  24  is inserted through the casing  26 . Further, bushing  23  is operatively positioned between the pedestal  24  and the casing  26 . First gear  27  is communicably coupled to the worm gear which is then operatively connected to a second gear  28  to form a gear system having a predetermined gear ratio. Furthermore, first gear  27  may be further include a splined shaft  29  protruding perpendicularly therefrom. In the present embodiment, splined shaft  29  is an optional feature which may be installed to enable a braking assembly onto the dynamic register system  10 . It should be understood that configuration of the gear system requires at least two gears and more gears could be added in order to achieve a desired oscillation. 
     Rotor assembly  20  further includes a handle  25  and a cam  25 A which are communicably engaged to the second gear  28  of the gear system. In the present embodiment, handle  25  is mounted to an outer portion of the casing  26 . Cam  25 A is positioned between the handle  25  and the casing  26 . The present configuration allows for the handle  25  to turn in an oscillating motion when the dynamic register system is inserted into an existing air duct. The fan blades  21  receive a moving force in the form of the existing air that is being supplied through the air duct. As the air passes through, the fan blades  21  are then caused to rotate. The rotation of the fan blades  21  also results in the rotation of the shaft  22  which is then being operatively engaged to the gear system located on casing  26 . The resulting rotation of the gear system further results in the oscillating motion of the handle  25  which is operatively mounted to the second gear  28 . The described structure enables the oscillating motion without the need for an external power source being coupled to the gear system or the fan blades. It is advantageously enabled by using the force of the air supplied by an existing air duct. 
     Vent assembly  40  is effectively depicted in  FIGS.  9  and  10    of the provided drawings. In the present embodiment, vent assembly  40  is a means for evenly distributing air being supplied through an air duct. Vent assembly  40  is operatively connected to the rotor assembly  20 . Vent assembly  40  includes a plurality of venting panels  42 . In the present implementation, four venting panels  42  are provided each having a substantially rectangular structure. It should be understood that any number of venting panels  42  may be implemented into the system  10 . Some embodiments may feature 3 or 5 or more venting panels  42 . Further venting panels  42  may vary in shape and is not limited to having a rectangular structure. 
     Vent assembly  40  further includes a guide ruler  43  and a mobility ruler  44 . Guide ruler  43  and mobility ruler  44  engage venting panels  42  along the lateral sides. In one embodiment, venting panels  42  includes protrusion members which are lined along the lateral side ends thereof. Additionally, both guide ruler  43  and mobility ruler  44  includes apertures which correspondingly receive the protrusion members from venting panels  42 . Other embodiments of the present invention may feature other means for coupling guide ruler  43  and mobility ruler  44  to venting panels  42 . In the present embodiment, guide ruler  43  is provided as an elongated rectangular member. Guide ruler  43  is a stationary ruler which remains coupled to the venting panels  42  and remains stationary when the venting panels  42  are in their oscillating state. It should be understood that venting panels  42  are rotatably coupled to the guide ruler  43  and mobility ruler  44 . That is that venting panels  42  are rotatable along their connection point to guide ruler  43  to enable rotation thereof. In the present embodiment, mobility ruler  44  is simultaneously coupled to venting panels  42 . Mobility ruler  44  is an elongated rectangular member which may have a height that is less than a height that is provided for guide ruler  43 . Additionally, mobility ruler  44  also includes an axle mounting portion which will support an axle to be mounted thereon. This axle mounting portion may be provided as a circular protrusion with an opening from a lateral side edge of mobility ruler  44 . In the present embodiment, mobility ruler  44  is a non-stationary ruler which moves up and down along a vertical axis. As mobility ruler  44  moves up and down, the direction of venting panels  42  are adjusted. This configuration is properly observed in  FIGS.  14  and  15    of the provided drawings. It can be seen that as mobility ruler  44  moves downwardly, venting panels  42  are directed at an upward angle. Further, it is also observed that as mobility ruler  44  moves upwardly, venting panels  42  are directed in a downward angle. Additionally, it is observed that guide ruler  44  remains stationary as this motion is performed. 
     Rotor assembly  40  also includes a first axle  45 , a second axle  46 , and an adapter member  47 . In one embodiment, first axle  45  as coupled to mobility rulers  44  which are engaged to venting panels  42 . First axle  45  is received by the axle mounting portion of mobility ruler  44 . In the present implementation, first axle  45  could be a cylindrical elongated rod member which is positioned perpendicularly to the upright position of mobility rulers  44 . Adapter member  47  includes a slit portion, a forked portion, and an axle receiving section. In one embodiment, the slit portion is an elongated opening along the distal operative end of adapter member  47 . The slit portion is then operatively connected and engaged with handle  25  of rotor assembly  20  thereby establishing an operative connection between both rotor assembly  20  and vent assembly  40 . Additionally, the forked portion is located on the proximal end of adapter member  47 . In the present embodiment, the forked portion serves as a slot which operatively engages with first axle  45 . Further, second axle  46  is then fed through the axle receiving section of adapter member  47 . Second axle  46  may also be provided as an elongated cylindrical rod member. As a result, both first axle  45  and second axle  46  are engaged to adapter member  47 . In the engaged configuration, first axle  45  and second axle  46  are positioned as being substantially parallel to each other. In the present embodiment, adapter member  47  serves as the structure which facilities the up and down motion of motility ruler  44  to then adjust the direction of venting panels  42 . 
       FIG.  4    depicts rotor assembly  20  and vent assembly  40  both being operatively connected. As observed, adapter member  47  is coupled to handle  25  of rotor assembly  20 . Fan blades  21  receive air flow and begin to spin thereby enabling handle  25  to have an oscillating motion as previously described. The oscillating motion of handle  25  is then transferred to adapter member  47 . As handle  25  turns, adapter member  47  is then pivoted upwardly and downwardly in a repeated oscillating motion. As adapter member  47  pivots, it then actuates mobility ruler  44  to oscillate in an upward and downward motion due to its connection with first axle  45 . Vent panels  42  are then periodically adjusted as mobility ruler  44  oscillates. This configuration may be observed in  FIGS.  14  and  15    of the provided drawings. It is observed that the rotation of handle  25  periodically adjusts vent panels  42 . This results in the air flow that travels through the system being evenly distributed in a given room. As long as air flow is maintained, venting panels  42  will continue oscillating and dispersing air in a corresponding direction. In the present embodiment, handle  25  is an optional structural element to help transfer the rotational motion of the gears to adapter member  27 . In another embodiment, adapter member  47  may be directly coupled to second gear  28  thereby omitting handle  25  to receive rotational oscillating motion. In this embodiment, the oscillating motion of adapter member  47  is delivered directly from second gear  28 . 
     Housing assembly  60  includes a frame portion  62  and a back portion  65  which are observed in  FIGS.  11  and  12    of the provided drawings. In the present embodiment, housing assembly  60  is a means for mounting rotor assembly  20  and vent assembly  40  to an air duct. Frame portion  62  may be provided as a rectangular frame as observed in the drawings. However, it should be understood that other shapes may be used for frame portion  62 . In one implementation, frame portion  62  includes apertures  63  which are configured to receive screw members which could then be used to couple back portion  65  to the frame portion  62 . In one embodiment, apertures  63  are positioned along four corner ends of a back end of the frame portion  62 . It should be understood that other forms of mounting means may be implemented into the present system. Further, frame portion  62  should have dimensions suitable to receive vent assembly  40  therein. As observed in  FIG.  2   , vent assembly  40  is mounted to frame portion  62  and expose venting panels  42  from a front end. In one implementation, vent assembly  40  may further include a slit  64  which may be located along a longitudinal side edge of the frame portion  62 . Slit  64  is an elongated opening which extends from the front of frame portion  62  to the back of the frame. In one embodiment, slit  64  may be used to implement an optional brake mechanism  68  onto the system. 
     Back portion  65  includes a shape which corresponds to the shape of frame portion  62 . In one embodiment, back portion  65  further includes a blade housing  66  which extends outwardly therefrom. Blade housing  66  may be a cylindrical housing structure which suitably receives fan blades  21  therein.  FIG.  3    depicts fan blades  21  being held within blade housing  66 . Back portion  65  may also include apertures  63  which receive screws to effectively couple both the frame portion  62  and back portion  65  to nest rotor assembly  20  and vent assembly  40  therebetween. Further blade housing  66  may also include pedestal mounts  67  which are lined within an inner surface of blade housing  66 . In one embodiment, the number of pedestal mounts  67  provided corresponds to the number of protruding arms which extend outwardly from pedestal  24 . The protruding arms engage with pedestal mounts  67  thereby allowing for rotor assembly  20  to be safely secured to housing assembly  60 . Once assembled, housing assembly  60  is configured to be easily mounted onto an existing air duct as seen in  FIG.  1    of the provided drawings. The disclosed structure allows for the system  10  to be easily implemented into an existing air duct system without the need for any major structural modifications to the current system. 
     Housing assembly  60  may also include an optional brake mechanism  68  which may be implemented onto the system. In the present embodiment, brake mechanism  68  is a stop brake mechanism which is configured to engage with the gear system in order to terminate the oscillating motion supplied by rotor assembly  20 . As observed in  FIG.  3   , brake mechanism  68  is inserted through blade housing  66  to be selectively coupled to rotor assembly  20 . Blade mechanism  68  may further include an operative handle which is fed through the slit  64  and accessed through the front end of frame portion  62 . The operative handle allows for a user to actuate the braking mechanism  68 . When actuated, braking mechanism  68  engages with splined shaft  29  of the gear system to halt oscillating motion thereby halting the periodic adjusting of venting panels  21 . Additionally, braking mechanism  68  may also be disengaged to reenable the periodic motion of venting panels  21 . 
     The foregoing description conveys the best understanding of the objectives and advantages of the present invention. Different embodiments may be made of the inventive concept of this invention. It is to be understood that all matter disclosed herein is to be interpreted merely as illustrative, and not in a limiting sense.