Patent Publication Number: US-6338677-B1

Title: Vent control system

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to vents and, more specifically, to heating and cooling vents able to be opened and closed from a central location thereby controlling the flow of heated and cooling air to a specific area of a structure and reducing the heating and cooling costs of the structure. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     Numerous types of air vent control system devices designed for the control of air flow have been provided in the prior art. For example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,150,788; 4,945,822; 4,997,030; 5,004,149; 5,014,610; 5,312,298; 5,441,451; 5,449,143; 5,704,832; 5,984,775 and 6,050,892 all are illustrative of such prior art. While these units may be suitable for the particular purpose to which they address, they would not be as suitable for the purposes of the present invention as heretofore described. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,150,788 
     Inventor: Yoshihisa Matsumoto et al. 
     Issued: Apr. 24, 1979 
     A remote-controlled forced-circulation central air-conditioning system comprising a central heat-exchanger unit and a plurality of terminal air-conditioning units which are connected to the central heat-exchanger unit through terminal valves, respectively, which are arranged in parallel with one another, wherein a water circulation pump and the central heat-exchanger unit are started and shut off upon detection of variation in the pressure and/or the temperature of the liquid such as hot water in the liquid supply circuit leading to the terminal air-conditioning units when the terminal valve or valves are opened up and thereafter closed. The system may include a terminal heat-exchanger unit such as a bath. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,945,822 
     Inventor: Lester R. Hicks et al. 
     Issued: Aug. 7, 1990 
     An air control apparatus for a forced air central air conditioning system of the type having an air conditioning unit for conditioning air and a duct for conducting the conditioned air from the unit to a living area of a building. The air control apparatus includes a frame having a border and an air passage defined by the border, the border having a first surface for attachment to a first portion of the duct and an opposite second surface for attachment to a second portion of the duct, and an air seal slidably disposed in the frame between the first and second surfaces of the border, the air seal being movable in and out of the air passage to open and close the air passage and thereby regulate the flow of air therethrough. A handle is removably attached to the air seal and extends away from the frame for allowing the air passage to be manually opened and closed from within the living area of the building. A forced air central air conditioning system having an air control apparatus for regulating the flow of air through the system is also provided. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,997,030 
     Inventor: Yukifumi Goto et al. 
     Issued: Mar. 5, 1991 
     A central air conditioning system includes an air conditioning apparatus having a system controller and a variable air volume controller having a damper which controls the amount of conditioned air fed from the air conditioning apparatus into each room to be air-conditioned. Each room is provided with a room remote controller for controlling the operation of the air volume controller. The room remote controller outputs a start/stop command signal to control the operation of both the air conditioning apparatus and the air volume controller. The temperature of conditioned air fed from the air conditioning apparatus is maintained at a prescribed value determined on the basis of the desired room temperature in each room. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,004,149 
     Inventor: Hidetoshi Narikiyo et al. 
     Issued: Apr. 2, 1991 
     A central air conditioning system includes a compensating control function in which the prescribed target temperature Tfs of the conditioned air supplied from the air conditioning apparatus to a main duct is changed from the original value to a prescribed value of a modified target temperature Tfm to establish the target temperature Tfs when the actual room temperature Ta in each room does not achieve a corresponding desired room temperature Ts even though the damper of the corresponding air volume control unit is positioned at either the fully opened position or the closed position. The temperature of the conditioned air from the air conditioning apparatus is controlled in accordance with the target temperature Tfs, and the target temperature Tfs of the conditioned air is further changed to successive values of the modified target temperature Tfm until the actual room temperature Ta in each room achieves the corresponding desired room temperature Ts. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,014,610 
     Inventor: Isreal Twito 
     Issued: May 14, 1991 
     A modular outlet end units, or louvre units, for air ducts leading from a central air-conditioning plant, the louvre unit includes a plurality of sections which are include means for interconnection of a plurality of louvre units in order to enable the construction of any required size or dimension of outlet. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,312,298 
     Inventor: Leroy Myers 
     Issued: May 17, 1994 
     Floor vents for alternately supplying air to a conditioned space. Such vents, used in combination with a heating or cooling system, facilitate the delivery of air in a desired direction. The plastic vent may be constructed of pigmented material in a desired color. Louvers with integrally formed gears are pivotally mounted between ends of the vent, and are repostioned by a thumbwheel located below the upper surface of the grille portion of the vent, to thereby avoid damage to the gear by foot traffic above the vent. The louvers are provided with integrally formed bushings and rotatable end elements to enhance rotation and reliability. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,441,451 
     Inventor: Choon N. Jeung 
     Issued: Aug. 15, 1995 
     An air vent includes a louver blade mounted in a housing for rotation about an axis. A motor output shaft is connected to a driving link to rotate the driving link about the axis. A driven link in the form of a crank arm extends from the driving link to the louver blade. A spring in the form of a torsional coil spring interconnects the driving link and the driven link for transmitting rotation therebetween to adjust the louver blade. When an undesired external force is applied to the louver blade, the spring can yield elastically to prevent relative movement between the driving link and driven link in order to protect the motor. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,449,143 
     Inventor: Nam S. Hur 
     Issued: Sep. 12, 1995 
     An air vent includes a louver blade rotatable to adjusted positions by a motor. A control mechanism which connects the motor with the louver blade includes a control member connected to the motor, and a rotation transmitting member connecting the control member to the louver blade. The control member and rotation transmitting member are rotatable about a common axis. The rotation transmitting member and control member are capable of limited relative rotation in the event that an unwanted external force is applied to the louver blade, in order to isolate the motor from that external force. Spring-biased return blocks engage an elliptically shaped portion of the rotation transmitting member to return the louver blade to a prescribed angular relationship to the control member when the external force is relieved. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,704,832 
     Inventor: Gustavo Borrell 
     Issued: Jan. 6, 1998 
     An air conditioning vent cover assembly to be disposed over an outlet vent of an air conditioner duct, and including a frame structured for secure, fitted engagement over the outlet vent. The frame itself includes an exterior face having a plurality of openings formed therein so as to permit air flow therethrough from the vent and provide an attractive exterior appearance. Furthermore, rotatably connected to the frame is at least one propeller assembly having a central hub and at least one blade extending from a perimeter of the central hub. The propeller assembly is structured to freely rotate as a result of air flow from the air conditioning duct flowing thereover, such that the air flow is dispersed and more evenly distributed into the room as it passes from the propeller assembly through the exterior face of the frame. In addition to evenly dispersing the air flow, the propeller assembly is equipped to distribute an air freshener into the air flow such that it will circulate into the room and provide it with a pleasant aroma. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,984,775 
     Inventor: Kun-hyung Lee 
     Issued: Nov. 16, 1999 
     An apparatus for controlling air flow includes a grating having a plurality of air vents, a shutter assembly composed of a shutter fixed plate, having a plurality of first openings, attached to a lower surface of the grating, and a shutter moving plate, having a plurality of second openings corresponding to the first openings, movably disposed between the grating and the fixed plate. An opening-ratio controller moves the moving plate with respect to the fixed plate whereby an opening ratio defined by relative positions of the first openings and the second openings is controlled. The separation between the grating and the shutter fixed plate my be the thickness of the shutter moving plate. The opening-ratio controller may include an opening-ratio controlling screw having a pinion attached to the screw end. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,050,892 
     Inventor: Franc Sodec 
     Issued: Apr. 18, 2000 
     An air outlet vent (1) adapted in a floor (6) and connected to a heating, ventilating and air-conditioning air supply duct (30) includes a cylindrical housing (2) and a cover plate (4) that covers the top end of the housing (2). The plate (4) includes a first group of air outlet openings in the form of concentric circular arcuate slits (11) extending over a first sector of the plate (4), and a second group of air outlet openings in the form of radially extending slits (12) in a second sector of the plate (4). The plate (4) is rotatable adjustable in the housing (2). With this arrangement, the direction of the main air flow axis of the air flow pattern generated by the vent can be infinitely rotationally adjusted around an imaginary inverted cone, to direct the air flow where desired and avoid undesirable drafts, while still providing a highly turbulent twisting or spiraling air flow characteristic. 
     SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to vents and, more specifically, to heating and cooling vents able to be opened and closed from a central location thereby controlling the flow of heated and cooling air to a specific area of a structure and reducing the heating and cooling costs of the structure. 
     A primary object of the present invention is to provide a vent control system that will overcome the shortcomings of prior art devices. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a vent control system which is able to be electronically operated from a single main control panel to open and close a vent cover. 
     A further object of the present invention is to provide a vent control system wherein the main control panel includes buttons located thereon for controlling respective vents of the system. 
     A still further object of the present invention is to provide a vent control system including a plurality of louvers opened and closed by two solenoids located on each side of the inside portion of the vent, the solenoids being controlled by activation of the buttons on the main control panel. 
     A yet further object of the present invention is to provide a vent control system wherein the master control panel is wired to the solenoids mounted on each side of each vent such that activation of a button on the master control panel is able to either open or close a respective vent. 
     An even further object of the present invention is to provide a vent control system including a plurality of louvers which move on an axis and are captive in a cover plate housing, movement of the louvers being controlled by the two solenoids wired to a main control panel for opening and closing the louvers selectively as desired. 
     A still further object of the present invention is to provide a vent control system that is simple and easy to use. 
     A yet further object of the present invention is to provide a vent control system that is economical in cost to manufacture. 
     Additional objects of the present invention will appear as the description proceeds. 
     A system for controlling the opening and closing of vents within a structure is disclosed by the present invention. The system includes a plurality of vents positioned around the structure and a control panel is centrally positioned in a readily accessible position within the structure. The vents each include a cover plate having a recess extending therethrough a plurality of louvers positioned in spaced parallel relationship within the recess and a device for automatically pivoting the plurality of louvers between an open position and closed position. The control panel includes a plurality of control buttons, each control button controlling pivoting a respective one of the plurality of louvers between the open and closed positions. A lever connects the plurality of louvers within each vent together causing the louvers to move together. The pivoting device for each vent includes first and second solenoids and a latch and spring device connected between both the first and second solenoids and the lever. The first and second solenoids are each controlled by a respective one of the control buttons to rotate causing the latch and spring device to exert a force on the lever such that the lever pivots the plurality of louvers into one of the open or closed positions. Each of the vents further includes a manually operated lever for moving the louvers between the open and closed positions. 
     To the accomplishment of the above and related objects, this invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings, attention being called to the fact, however, that the drawings are illustrative only, and that changes may be made in the specific construction illustrated and described within the scope of the appended claims. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES 
     Various other objects, features and attendant advantages of the present invention will become more fully appreciated as the same becomes better understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views. 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a home owner adjusting air flow through a vent in a desired room using the main control panel of the vent control system of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the main control panel and a vent cover of the vent control system of the present invention; 
     FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the main control panel of the vent control system of the present invention; 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a vent cover of the vent control system of the present invention; 
     FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a plurality of vent control units positioned within respective rooms of a structure and the main control panel for controlling the vent control units of the vent control system of the present invention, the structure being shown in dashed lines; 
     FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a connection between the main control panel and a single vent of the vent control system of the present invention; and 
     FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a vent cover including a manual control switch for opening and closing the vents in the vent control system of the present invention. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE REFERENCED NUMERALS 
     Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views, the Figures illustrate the vent control system of the present invention. With regard to the reference numerals used, the following numbering is used throughout the various drawing figures. 
       10  vent control system of the present invention 
       12  user 
       14  structure 
       16  main control panel 
       18  wall 
       20  thermostat 
       22  plurality of buttons on main control panel 
       24  vent 
       26  button for opening each respective vent 
       28  button for closing each respective vent 
       30  cover plate 
       32  recess extending through a central portion of cover plate 
       34  frame area 
       36  recess in frame area 
       38  plurality of louvers 
       40  face plate of main control panel 
       42  back housing of main control panel 
       44  connection cable connecting main control panel to individual vents 
       46  lever connecting louvers 
       48  latch and spring device 
       50  solenoid 
       52  air duct 
       54  control lever 
       56  first solenoid 
       58  second solenoid 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views, FIGS. 1 through 7 illustrate the vent control system of the present invention indicated generally by the numeral  10 . 
     The vent control system  10  is shown in FIG. 1 being operated by a user  12  to control the opening and closing of vents within the structure  14 . The vent control system  10  includes a main control panel  16  positioned on a wall  18  within the structure  14  and preferably adjacent to a thermostat  20 . The main control panel  16  includes a plurality of buttons  22  thereon, each button controls opening or closing of a respective vent of the vent control system  10 . The user  12  is shown activating a desired button to either open or close a vent. The proximity of the main control panel  16  to the thermostat  20  allows the user to also adjust the temperature of the air being supplied through the vents within the structure  14  while controlling whether each vent will be opened or closed. 
     An enlarged view of the main control panel  16  and a vent  24  are shown in FIG.  2 . As can be seen from this view, the main control panel  16  includes the plurality of buttons  22  for controlling the individual vents  24 . The main control panel  16  includes a button  26  for opening each respective vent  24  and a button  28  for closing each respective vent  24 . Each vent  24  includes a cover plate  30 . The cover plate  30  includes a recess  32  extending through a central portion thereof and a frame area  34  surrounding the recess  32 . Positioned on the frame area  34  is at least one recess  36  for use in securing the vent  24  to a wall surface. The use of a recess  36  for securing the vent  24  to a wall  18  with a screw or tack is for purposes of example only. Any know device for securing the vent  24  to a wall may be used and falls within the scope of the present invention. Extending either vertically or horizontally within the recess  32  are a plurality of louvers  38 . The louvers  38  are positioned to extend in a spaced parallel relationship with each other. In an open position, the louvers  38  allow heated or cooled air to pass through the vent  24 . In the closed position, the louvers  38  prevent the passage of heated or cooled air to pass through the vent thereby effectively shutting the vent  24  and eliminating the costs associated with heating or cooling the room to which the vent  24  leads. When the button  26  indicating a respective vent  24  should be opened is activated, the louvers  38  of that vent are caused to pivot into a position allowing air to pass from an air duct and through the recess  32  into the room in which the vent  24  is positioned. When the button  28  indicating a respective vent  24  should be closed is activated, the louvers  38  of that vent are caused to pivot into a position preventing air from passing through the recess  32  and into the room in which the vent  24  is positioned. 
     An enlarged view of the main control panel  16  is illustrated in FIG.  3 . The main control panel  16  includes a face plate  40  and a back housing  42 . Positioned on the face plate  40  are the plurality of control buttons  22 . The plurality of control buttons  22  include a pair of buttons for controlling the position of the vent  24  in each room of the structure  14 . The pair of buttons for each room includes an open vent button  26  and a close vent button  28 . Within the back housing  42  of the main control panel  42  is the circuitry for generating a control signal for opening and closing each respective vent  24 . A connection cable  44  extends from the back housing  42  to each individual vent  24 . The control signal generated by activation of a particular one of the plurality of buttons  22  is transmitted through the control cable  44  to the respective vent  24  being controlled thereby. 
     An enlarged view of a back side of a vent  24  is illustrated in FIG.  4 . From this view, the components controlling the opening and closing of the vent  24  are shown. Connecting the louvers  38  of the vent  24  and thereby causing the louvers  38  to move together is a lever  46 . The lever  46  extends through each of the plurality of louvers  38  causing the louvers  38  to move together and retain their parallel spaced relationship. At an end of the lever  46  and connected to the back side of the frame  34  is a latch and spring device  48 . The latch and spring device  48  is connected to a pair of solenoids  50 . The pair of solenoids  50  are connected to the main control panel  16  via the connection cable  44 . A first solenoid  56  of the pair of solenoids  50  is caused to rotate in a first direction upon activation of the button  26  for opening the vent  24 . Rotation of the first solenoid  56  causes the latch and spring device  48  to exert a force on the lever  46  to move in a first direction and thereby rotate the louvers  38  into an open position allowing air to pass through the vent  24 . A second solenoid  58  of the pair of solenoids  50  is caused to rotate in a second direction opposite the first direction upon activation of the button  28  for closing the vent  24 . Rotation of the second solenoid  58  causes the latch and spring device  48  to exert a force on the lever  46  to move in a second direction opposite the first direction and thereby rotate the louvers  38  into a closed position preventing air from passing through the vent  24 . The first and second solenoids  56  and  58 , respectively, are preferably located on each side of the inner side of the vent cover frame  24 . However, the solenoids may be situated in any position on the frame  34  so as not to interfere with installation of the vent cover  24 . 
     A perspective view of the vent control system  10  of the present invention installed within a structure  14  is illustrated in FIG.  5 . This figure illustrates the connection of the vents  24  via an air duct  52  extending throughout the structure  14 . The control panel  16  is positioned in a central easily accessible location within the structure  14 . The control panel  16  is connected to the first and second solenoids  56  and  58 , respectively, of each duct  24  via the connection cable  44 . The button  26  causing the louvers to open and the button  28  causing the louvers  38  to close for each respective vent  24  are connected to the first and second solenoids  56  and  58 , respectively, for the respective vent  24  through the connection cables  44 . 
     A block diagram illustrating the opening and closing of the louvers  38  is shown in FIG.  6 . As can be seen from this view, the control panel includes the open vent button  26  and the closed vent button  28 . The open vent button  26  is connected to the first solenoid  56 . When activated the open vent button  26  generates a signal which is transmitted to the first solenoid  56  causing the first solenoid to rotate. The rotation of the first solenoid  56 , activates the latch and spring device  48 . The latch and spring device applies a force on the lever  46  to move in a first direction. The movement of the lever in the first direction causes the louvers  38  connected thereto to rotate about an axis and thereby open a passageway through the recess  32  in the vent cover  24 . The close vent button  28  is connected to the second solenoid  58 . When activated the close vent button  28  generates a signal which is transmitted to the second solenoid  58  causing the second solenoid  58  to rotate in a direction opposite the direction of rotation of the first solenoid  56 . The rotation of the second solenoid  58 , activates the latch and spring device  48 . The latch and spring device applies a force on the lever  46  to move in a second direction opposite the first direction. The movement of the lever  46  in the second direction causes the louvers  38  connected thereto to rotate about the axis in a direction opposite that caused by activation of the open vent button  26  and thereby close the passageway through the recess  32  in the vent cover  24 . 
     A perspective view of the vent  24  used with the vent control system  10  of the present invention including a manual control lever is illustrated in FIG.  7 . As can be seen from this view, the vent includes the cover plate  30 . The cover plate  30  includes the recess  32  extending through a central portion thereof and the frame area  34  surrounding the recess  32 . Positioned on the frame area  34  is the at least one recess  36  for securing the vent  24  to a wall surface. Extending either vertically or horizontally within the recess  32  are the plurality of louvers  38 . The louvers  38  are positioned to extend in spaced parallel relationship with each other. In an open position, the louvers  38  allow heated or cooled air to pass through the vent  24 . In the closed position, the louvers  38  prevent the passage of heated or cooled air to pass through the vent thereby effectively shutting the vent  24  and eliminating the costs associated with heating or cooling the room to which the vent  24  leads. When the control lever  54  is moved into a first position indicating a respective vent  24  should be opened, the movement of the control lever  54  acts on the latch and spring device  48 . The latch and spring device  48  in turn applies a force to the lever  46  causing the louvers  38  to pivot into a position allowing air to pass from an air duct and through the recess  32  into the room in which the vent  24  is positioned. When the control lever  54  is activated by being moved into a second position indicating a respective vent  24  should be closed, the movement of the control lever  54  acts on the latch and spring device  48 . The latch and spring device  48  in turn applies a force to the lever  46  causing the louvers  38  to pivot into a position preventing air from passing through the recess  32  and into the room in which the vent  24  is positioned. 
     The operation of the vent control system  10  will now be described with reference to the figures. In operation, the vent control system  10  is installed into a structure  14 . In doing such, the main control panel  16  is positioned in a central easily accessible location. The vent covers  30  are positioned at the entrance of each air duct  52  into a room of the structure  14 . The open vent buttons  26  and closed vent buttons  28  of the main control panel  16  are then connected to their respective solenoids  56  or  58 . The vent control system of the present invention is now installed within the structure  14  and ready for use. 
     When it is desired to open a specific vent  24  within a room, the open vent button  26  for that specific vent  24  is activated. Upon activation, the open vent button  26  generates a control signal which is transmitted to the first solenoid  56  via the connection cable  44 . The control signal causes the first solenoid  56  to rotate. The rotation of the first solenoid  56  activates the latch and spring device  48 . The latch and spring device  48  applies a force on the lever  46  to move in a first direction. The movement of the lever in the first direction causes the louvers  38  connected thereto to rotate about an axis and thereby open a passageway through the recess  32  in the vent cover  24 . 
     When it is desired to close a specific vent  24  within a room, the close vent button  28  for that specific vent  24  is activated. Upon activation, the close vent button  28  generates a control signal which is transmitted to the second solenoid  58  via the connection cable  44 . When activated the close vent button  28  generates a signal which is transmitted to the second solenoid  58  causing the second solenoid  58  to rotate in a direction opposite the direction of rotation of the first solenoid  56 . The rotation of the second solenoid  58 , activates the latch and spring device  48 . The latch and spring device  48  applies a force on the lever  46  to move in a second direction opposite the first direction. The movement of the lever  46  in the second direction causes the louvers  38  connected thereto to rotate about the axis in a direction opposite that caused by activation of the open vent button  26  and thereby close the passageway through the recess  32  in the vent cover  24 . 
     This action is repeated upon activation of any of the control buttons  22  of the control panel  16 . When it is desired to open a specific vent, the control button for that respective vent is activated and the above action opening the vent  24  takes place. When it is desired to close a specific vent, the control button for that respective vent is activated and the above action closing the vent  24  takes place. Alternatively, the user may manually open and close the desired vents using the control lever  54 . Movement of the control lever  54  in a first direction will cause the louvers  38  to move into a position whereby the vent is open and movement of the control lever  54  in a second direction will cause the louvers  38  to move into a position whereby the vent is closed. 
     From the above description it can be seen that the vent control system of the present invention is able to overcome the shortcomings of prior art devices by providing a vent control system which is able to electronically operated from a single main control panel to open and close a vent cover, the main control panel including buttons located thereon for controlling respective vents of the system. The vent control system also includes a plurality of louvers opened and closed by two solenoids located on each side of the inside portion of the vent, the solenoids being controlled by activation of the buttons on the main control panel. The louvers move on an axis and are captive in a cover plate housing, movement of the louvers being controlled by the two solenoids wired to a main control panel for opening and closing the louvers selectively as desired. Furthermore, the vent control system of the present invention is simple and easy to use and economical in cost to manufacture. 
     It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together may also find a useful application in other types of methods differing from the type described above. 
     While certain novel features of this invention have been shown and described and are pointed out in the annexed claims, it is not intended to be limited to the details above, since it will be understood that various omissions, modifications, substitutions and changes in the forms and details of the device illustrated and in its operation can be made by those skilled in the art without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention. 
     Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention.