Patent Publication Number: US-10767894-B1

Title: Air register

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/136,937 filed on Apr. 24, 2016, which issued as U.S. Pat. No. 10,018,374 on Jul. 10, 2018, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/152,034, filed on Apr. 24, 2015 to Baldwin et al., and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/276,920, filed on Jan. 10, 2016 to Baldwin et al., the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Air registers are well known in both household and commercial HVAC systems. The air register is an instrumental component of HVAC systems because it controls air flow direction, volume, and velocity which can be adjusted by modifying the orientation and position of the various vanes and louvers. The air register is connected to the structures mounting surface, usually drywall or other suitable material, or the air duct. The air duct is then connected to the air handler and other HVAC components. Air registers operate in several forms, with rotary dials, levers, or other mechanical structures. Some air registers may pivot, slide, or utilize other relative movement to open or close the air duct opening. 
     SUMMARY 
     Aspects of this disclosure relate to an air register. In one aspect, an air register includes a body having a front plate with a front surface, a rear surface, and at least one opening extending from the front surface to the rear surface, a plurality of louvers positioned rearward of the front plate and the rear surface and movable from an open position to permit air flow through the air register to a closed position to restrict air flow through the air register, and wherein each of the plurality of louvers includes at least one gasket compressible when the air register is in the closed position. 
     In an implementation, each of the plurality of louvers further includes a front surface and a rear surface and the at least one gasket is positioned on an upper portion of the louver front surface. The air register may further include an upper mounting tab extending rearward from the front plate and a lower mounting tab extending rearward from the front plate. The lower mounting tab may further include a gasket on a forward surface which is compressible by one of the plurality of louvers when the air register is in the closed position. The at least one gasket of one of the plurality of louvers may contact a rear surface of the upper mounting tab when the air register is in the closed position. The at least one gasket may be composed of foam. The at least one gasket may be composed of rubber. The at least one gasket may be molded directly onto each of the plurality of louvers. 
     The air register may further include a perimeter lip extending rearward from the body and a perimeter gasket positioned adjacent the perimeter lip for sealing the air register to a mounting surface. The air register may further include a gasket flange positioned adjacent and inward of the perimeter gasket and orienting the perimeter gasket between the perimeter lip and the gasket flange. The air register may further include a plurality of vanes positioned forward of the plurality of louvers. The air register may further include a louver lever extending through the front plate and beyond the front plate front surface and the louver lever controlling the opening and closing of the plurality of louvers. 
     The body may further include a plurality of sidewalls extending rearward from the front plate and a sidewall gasket on at least one of the plurality of sidewalls and positioned between one of the plurality of sidewalls and the plurality of louvers. The body may further include a plurality of sidewalls extending rearward from the front plate and a first detent for a closed position of the plurality of louvers, a second detent for a fully open positon of the plurality of louvers, and a third detent for a partially open position of the plurality of louvers. The air register may further include an actuator operatively connected to the plurality of louvers to selectively open and close the plurality of louvers. The air register may further include a remote controller operatively connected to the actuator to selectively control the actuator and the plurality of louvers. The remote controller may be a separate button controlled by a user to selectively open and close the plurality of louvers. The remote controller may be connected to an air handler and wherein the remote controller engages the actuator to selectively open the plurality of louvers when the air handler is moving air and selectively close the plurality of louvers when the air handler is not moving air. The actuator may be positioned in front of the front plate front surface. The actuator may be positioned behind the plurality of louvers. 
     Aspects and applications of the disclosure presented here are described below in the drawings and detailed description. Unless specifically noted, it is intended that the words and phrases in the specification and the claims be given their plain, ordinary, and accustomed meaning to those of ordinary skill in the applicable arts. The inventors are fully aware that they can be their own lexicographers if desired. The inventors expressly elect, as their own lexicographers, to use only the plain and ordinary meaning of terms in the specification and claims unless they clearly state otherwise and then further, expressly set forth the “special” definition of that term and explain how it differs from the plain and ordinary meaning. Absent such clear statements of intent to apply a “special” definition, it is the inventors&#39; intent and desire that the simple, plain and ordinary meaning to the terms be applied to the interpretation of the specification and claims. 
     The inventors are also aware of the normal precepts of English grammar. Thus, if a noun, term, or phrase is intended to be further characterized, specified, or narrowed in some way, then such noun, term, or phrase will expressly include additional adjectives, descriptive terms, or other modifiers in accordance with the normal precepts of English grammar. Absent the use of such adjectives, descriptive terms, or modifiers, it is the intent that such nouns, terms, or phrases be given their plain, and ordinary English meaning to those skilled in the applicable arts as set forth above. 
     The foregoing and other aspects, features, and advantages will be apparent to those artisans of ordinary skill in the art from the DESCRIPTION and DRAWINGS, and from the CLAIMS. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, where like designations denote like elements, and: 
         FIG. 1  is a front view of a first aspect air register mounted to a wall. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the first aspect air register removed from the wall. 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded view of the first aspect air register with the air deflectors in the open position. 
         FIG. 4  is a rear view of the first aspect air register. 
         FIG. 5  is a sectional view taken generally about line  5 - 5  in  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 6  is a rear view of the first aspect air register with the air deflectors in the closed position. 
         FIG. 7  is a sectional view taken generally about line  7 - 7  in  FIG. 6 . 
         FIG. 8  is a rear perspective view of a second aspect air register with louvers in the open position. 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a louver removed from the second aspect air register. 
         FIG. 10  is a sectional view taken generally about line  10 - 10  in  FIG. 9 . 
         FIG. 11  is a sectional view taken generally about line  11 - 11  in  FIG. 8 . 
         FIG. 12  is a sectional view taken generally about line  11 - 11  in  FIG. 8  but now in the closed position. 
         FIG. 13  is an enlarged view of the region labeled  FIG. 13  in  FIG. 12 . 
         FIG. 14  is a front view of a third aspect air register mounted to a wall. 
         FIG. 15  is a right side view of the third aspect air register with the pulley system visible. 
         FIG. 16  is a rear view of the third aspect air register in the open position. 
         FIG. 17  is a sectional view taken generally about line  17 - 17  in  FIG. 16 . 
         FIG. 18  is a sectional view taken generally about line  17 - 17  in  FIG. 16  but now in the closed position. 
         FIG. 19  is a front view of a fourth aspect air register mounted to a wall. 
         FIG. 20  is a perspective view of the fourth aspect air register. 
         FIG. 21  is a rear perspective view of the fourth aspect air register. 
         FIG. 22  is a sectional view taken generally about line  22 - 22  in  FIG. 20 . 
         FIG. 23  is a perspective view of a louver of the fourth aspect air register. 
         FIG. 24  is a rear view of the fourth aspect air register. 
         FIG. 25  is a sectional view taken generally about line  25 - 25  in  FIG. 24 . 
         FIG. 26  is an enlarged view of the section labeled  FIG. 26  in  FIG. 25 . 
         FIG. 27  is a sectional view taken generally about line  27 - 27  in  FIG. 25 . 
         FIG. 28  is a sectional view taken generally about line  27 - 27  in  FIG. 25  but now includes a gasket therein. 
         FIG. 29  is a sectional view taken generally about line  25 - 25  in  FIG. 24  with the fourth aspect air register in the partially open position. 
         FIG. 30  is a sectional view taken generally about line  25 - 25  in  FIG. 24  with the fourth aspect air register in the fully open position. 
         FIG. 31  is a rear view of the fourth aspect air register with a different perimeter gasket. 
         FIG. 32  is a sectional view taken generally about lines  32 - 32  in  FIG. 31 . 
         FIG. 33  is an automated air register system with an external louver actuator and a controller. 
         FIG. 34  is an automated air register system with an internal louver actuator remotely connected to a controller on a furnace. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     This disclosure, its aspects and implementations, are not limited to the specific components or assembly procedures disclosed herein. Many additional components and assembly procedures known in the art consistent with the intended operation and assembly procedures for an air register will become apparent for use with implementations of an air register from this disclosure. Accordingly, for example, although particular components are disclosed, such components and other implementing components may comprise any shape, size, style, type, model, version, measurement, concentration, material, quantity, and/or the like as is known in the art for such implementing components, consistent with the intended operation of an air register. 
       FIGS. 1-7  illustrate various view of a first aspect air register  10 . Air register  10  is shown secured to a wall  12  with screws  14  through mounting apertures  16 . Air register  10  includes a front wall  18  with an air flow controller opening  20  having an air flow controller wheel  22  which may also be a tab or other suitable lever type mechanism. Front wall  18  also includes a plurality of vanes  24  with vane slots  26  between each vane  24 . Vanes  24  may be straight, angled, or oriented in any number of shapes, sizes, or orientations. Further, vanes  24  may be fixed or movable to change the flow of air there through. 
     Air register  10  also includes a side wall  28  on each left and right side, a top wall  30  and a bottom wall  32 . An upper air deflector  34  includes a forward lip  36 , a rear edge  38 , and a bottom surface  40 . A lower air deflector  42  includes a forward lip  44 , a rear edge  46 , and an upper surface  48 . End caps  50  each include a forward lip  51 , an upper hole  52 , and a lower hole  54 , whereby the upper hole and lower hole are each oriented to receive a rivet  56 . Air register  10  also includes an upper air dam  58  and a lower air dam  60 . Upper air dam  58  includes a pivot aperture  62  on a left side  61  and a right side  63 . Left side  61  also includes a pin aperture  64  for receiving a pin, described below, and imparting rotation on the upper and lower air dams  58 ,  60 . Both left side  61  and right side  63  terminate with rounded portions  66  having teeth  68  thereon. Similar to upper air dam  58 , lower air dam  60  also includes a pivot aperture  70  on a left side  72  and a right side  74 . 
     Upper air dam  58  also includes a leading edge  76  and a trailing edge  78  of the central portion, with an outer surface  80  and an inner surface  82 . Similarly, lower air dam  60  also includes a leading edge  84  and a trailing edge  86  of the central portion, with an outer surface  88  and an inner surface  90 . Air flow controller wheel  22  includes a perimeter portion  92  with ridges  94  and a central aperture  96 . A standoff portion  98  is positioned radially between the central aperture  96  and perimeter portion  92 . A pin  100  extends outward from air flow controller wheel  22  and fits within pin aperture  64  to provide pivotable movement of both upper air dam  58  and lower air dam  60  as will be described in greater detail below. 
       FIG. 5  also illustrates duct work  102  having an outer surface  104  and inner surface  106  into which air register  10  is installed along wall  12 . Further,  FIG. 5  illustrates air register  10  and particularly upper air dam  58  and lower air dam  60  in the open position such that air flow  108  can pass there through. In this instance, air register  10  is shown fully open with the air dams nearly 180 degrees apart from each other. 
     In operation, the upper and lower air dams pivot about respective rivets  56 . The pin  100  of air flow controller wheel  22  is positioned within upper air dam  58  pin aperture  62  and when wheel  22  is rotated, a rotational movement is also imparted on upper air dam  58  such that teeth or gears  68  impart movement on lower air dam  60 . Accordingly, when the air flow controller wheel is rotated, the upper and lower air dams are also pivoted from the open to closed or closed to open positions. 
       FIG. 7  illustrates the air flow controller wheel  22  rotated in the direction associated with arrow  110  to move the upper air dam  58  and lower air dam  60  to a closed position in the directions associated with arrows  112  and  114 . As can be seen, when the upper air dam  58  and lower air dam  60  are in contact with each other at trailing edges  78 ,  86  or when the trailing edges overlap, air flow  108  hits the outer surfaces  80 ,  88  and is deflected in the directions associated with arrows  116 , thereby preventing air from passing through the air register and into the conditioned space. Further, the air register can also prevent losing conditioned air into the air duct space, thereby providing a more efficient system. Accordingly, a user can selectively open or close the air register by rotating the air flow controller wheel  22  which pivots the air dams open or close as may be needed. 
       FIGS. 8-13  illustrate various views of a second aspect air register  118  with top wall  30  and sidewalls  28  forming a gasket region  120  for receiving a perimeter gasket  122 . A louver assembly  124  extends rearward and includes a louver assembly top wall  126 , louver assembly side walls  128 , and a louver assembly bottom wall  127 . Louver assembly  124  also includes a plurality of assembly holes  130  in the side walls, while a louver actuator mechanism  132  includes mechanism holes  134  therein. A mechanism arm  136  is connected to actuator mechanism  132  and includes a slot  138 . Slot  138  operatively receives louver controller  140 . A plurality of louvers  142  are positioned at least partially within louver assembly  124  and connected through holes  130 ,  134  with louver assembly pins  144  and louver actuator mechanism pins  146 . The pins  144  and  146  are each positioned on ends of each louver  142  and allow louvers  142  to pivot from an open to a closed position or from a closed position to an open position by moving louver controller  140 . 
     Louvers  142  also include a front surface  148 , a rear surface  150 , a top surface  152 , and a bottom surface  154 . A louver perimeter gasket  156  extends around the perimeter and edges of the front and rear surfaces while a secondary gasket portion  158  is separated by a gasket gap  160 . The perimeter gasket  156  and secondary gasket portion  158  together function to provide a sealing mechanism between louvers and against the louver assembly. Specifically, sealing walls  164  extends from louver assembly top wall  126  downward and includes a sealing surface  166 . Sealing walls  164  may also extend from louver bottom assembly bottom wall  127  and also includes sealing surface  164 . In one embodiment, sealing walls  164  are positioned at the top and bottom of the louver assembly and may be the same or different from top wall  126 . Further, sealing surface  166  may be straight or angled with respect to louver assembly top wall  126  and louver assembly bottom wall  127  and may include a gasket formed directly on sealing surface  166  or may be adapted to contact a perimeter gasket  156  of the louvers. 
       FIG. 11  illustrates the air register  118  with the louvers  142  in the fully open position such that the full volume of air flow may pass through with little interruption.  FIGS. 12 and 13  illustrates the movement associated with closing the air register by moving louver controller  140  down in the direction associated with arrow  168 , which pivots louvers  142  in the direction associated with arrows  170  until louver perimeter gaskets  156  and secondary gasket portions  158  contact each other to provide a sealing force and engagement with each other and/or sealing surface  166 . As can be seen, air is thereby prevented from entering or leaving the air register due to the sealing mechanism on the louvers and thereby reduces leakage into the air duct or into the conditioned space and is therefore more energy efficient. 
       FIGS. 14-18  illustrate various views of a third aspect air register  172  having a controller wheel  22  having a perimeter  174  with ridges  176  thereon and controller wheel  22  is rotatable to open or close an air deflector as will be described in greater detail below. Controller wheel  22  in this embodiment also includes a drive pulley  178  formed as part of the controller wheel and includes a pulley surface  180  and pulley walls  182  for preventing a drive belt  184  from walking or slipping off the pulley. Drive belt  184  is connected to a first pulley assembly  186  having a pulley  187  and a second pulley  188  assembly having a pulley  189  which all together define the drive system for opening or closing the air deflector. First pulley assembly  186  is mounted on a pulley mount  190  extending approximately across the width of the air register, while second pulley assembly  188  is mounted on a pulley mount  192  which also extends approximately across the width of the air register. The air deflector system also includes air deflector pulleys  194  and  196  each having a rod  191  and a sleeve  193  with either, or both, of the rod and the sleeve rotatable with the air deflector and which functions to provide a linear distance there between which is directly in front of the air register flow path. 
     An air deflector  198  connects to first and second pulley assemblies  186 ,  188  at notches  200  on the respective pulleys with an air deflector pin  197  secured within notches  200  of a sleeve  199 . In this instance, sleeve  199  and notches  200  may rotate around air deflector pin  197  to allow the air deflector to unroll or roll up depending on the pulley assembly. Referring to  FIG. 16 , air deflector  198  is shown including a main body  202  and a pulley attachment portion  204 . Specifically, the air defector pulley attachment portion  204  is connected to the second pulley assembly  188  and when the air deflector is actuated to block airflow through the air register, the attachment portion  204  is wrapped around the second pulley assembly  188  until the main body  202  of the air deflector blocks the entire air register opening. The drive belt and drive system function to roll and unroll the air deflector by simply rotating controller wheel  22 . 
       FIG. 17  illustrates the air register in the fully open position with the main body  202  of air deflector  198  retracted from the flow path and air flow  206  is not restricted from passing through air register  172  and by louvers  142 .  FIG. 18  illustrates the air register controller wheel rotated in the direction associated with arrow  208  to lower main body  202  of air deflector  198 . When air deflector  198  is lowered, air  206  contacts the air deflector and is blocked as shown by arrows  210 . In this manner, it is seen that the air deflector  198  may efficiently and easily block airflow through the air register when desired and allow full air flow as needed. The air deflector may be any suitable material and structure. Non-limiting examples include rubber, vinyl, plastic, sheet metal, aluminum, or any other number of numerous rigid or flexible materials. 
       FIGS. 19-30  illustrate various views of a fourth aspect air register  212  with vanes  24  and vane slots  26  there between. In this aspect, vanes  24  are shown as fixed, but it is within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure to incorporate moveable, pivotable, or flexible vanes in this aspect and all of aspects disclosed herein. A pair of louver wall mounts  214  extend rearward from front wall  18  and includes three apertures  216  for receiving rivets  218 . Rivets  218  are used to connect louvers  220  to louver wall mounts  214  as well as separately connect louvers  220  to pivot mechanism  222  which moves up and down with movement of a louver controller  224 . The movement of pivot mechanism  222  provides a moment on louvers  220  which thereby move to the open or closed position as can be seen in  FIGS. 29-30  for example. 
       FIG. 22  illustrates a closer view of louver controller  224  with an alignment pin  226  thereon extending generally in the direction of three detents on the air register  212 . Specifically, a closed detent  228 , a partially open detent  230 , and a fully open detent  232  are each positioned on the air register to prevent the flow volume from changing from the desired setting. The alignment pin is oriented to fit within the appropriate detent  228 ,  230 ,  232  but not move outside of the appropriate detent until overcome with enough force as can easily be applied by a person, but not applied by the air register alone in normal operation. 
       FIG. 23  illustrates a louver  220  removed from air register  212 . Each louver  220  includes a body  234  having a sealing region  236 , a recessed portion  238  in the center, and a gasket region  240 . Gasket region  240  may include a gasket  242  along the length and extends above a top surface  244  of the front surface  246  and rear surface  248 . Sealing region  236  and gasket region  240  may be angled with respect to body  234  to better assist with sealing or may be aligned along the same plane. Still further, it is within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure to reverse the positioning of the gasket portion and the sealing portion such that the sealing portion may be at the top and the gasket portion at the bottom. 
     Each louver  220  also includes arms  250  each having a pivot mechanism alignment hole  252  and a pivot hole  254  upon which each louver may pivot. The pivot mechanism alignment hole  252  allows all the louvers to be physically connected and move as a single unit through being offset from pivot hole  254  and the movement of pivot mechanism  222 . 
       FIGS. 25 and 26  illustrate views of the air register  212  in the fully closed position with gaskets  242  contacting sealing regions  236  to prevent air from passing through the air register  212  in either direction. Further, a top rear wall  253  extends rearward from front wall  18  and includes a wall  254  having a sealing surface  256  for contact with louver gasket  242 . Similarly, a lower rear wall  258  extends rearward from front wall  18  and includes a wall  260  having a gasket region  262  having a gasket  264  for contact with louver sealing region  236 . As can be seen, the top louver  220  contacts top rear wall  252  and the second louver, while the second louver contacts the first louver and the third louver, and the third louver contacts the second louver and lower rear wall  258  and the four gasket seals between the various components prevents air from entering into the air register from the air duct work or from the conditioned room, thereby providing a more energy efficient solution. 
       FIGS. 27 and 28  illustrate sectional views of the sidewall with ( FIG. 28 ) and without ( FIG. 27 ) a gasket  266 . Gasket  266  is strategically positioned to prevent or at least reduce airflow between the sides of the louvers  220  and the air register body, namely louver wall mounts  214 . In particular, arms  250  of the louvers and louver wall mounts  214  may contact gasket  266  in both the open and closed positions to prevent unwanted air from passing though openings there between as well as directing air more efficiently through the louvers  220  and air register vanes. Gasket  266  may be composed of a rubber, foam, flexible plastic or any other suitable material. 
       FIG. 29  illustrates movement of louver controller  222  in the direction associated with arrow  268  which imparts a rotational movement in each of louvers  220  due to pivot mechanism  222  and the pivot mechanism&#39;s connection with each of the louvers  220  at a position offset from the apertures  216  in the louver wall mount. This offset distance allows the force applied to operate a moment which pivots the louvers open.  FIG. 29  shows the air register  212  moved to the partially open position with the alignment pin  226  in the partially open detent  230  and louvers  220  roughly 45 degrees from the fully closed position.  FIG. 30  shows additional movement until alignment pin  226  is in the fully open detent  232  and the louvers are positioned roughly 90 degrees from the fully closed position to allow full air flow through air register  212 . Accordingly, the gaskets on the louvers provide efficient sealing of the air register from the conditioned environment and allow the air register to prevent loss of energy without changing the structural integrity of the air register or the structure that most consumers currently understand. A consumer can easily orient an air register of this disclosure to prevent air flow or allow air flow to pass through as desired. Finally, the gaskets provide a relatively minor impact to the operation of the air register and as such do not significantly decrease air flow through the air register when the louvers are open. 
       FIGS. 31 and 32  illustrate an air register  212  with a perimeter gasket  270  positioned between sidewalls  28 /top wall  30 /bottom wall  32  and gasket wall  272 . Gasket wall  272  may also include a gasket mounting surface  274  which is generally perpendicular to sidewalls  28 /top wall  30 /bottom wall  32  and is connected to front wall  18  of air register  212  at a mounting portion  276 . In this arrangement, perimeter gasket  270  may be smaller and is more closely placed in a rearward position with sidewalls  28 /top wall  30 /bottom wall  32  and gasket wall  272  providing support during installation and mounting to prevent tearing the gasket, thereby providing additional sealing for the air register. 
       FIGS. 33-34  illustrate an actuator assembly  278  mounted to an air register  280  at a mount  282 . An actuator  284  moves actuator shaft  286  and louver controller shaft  286  which may be connected through louver controller aperture  290  to move the pivot mechanism  222  in the directions associated with arrows  292 . Louver controller aperture  290  may be present in currently available air registers such that a user will simply have to install the actuator and mounting structure to utilize the system. Further, a remote controller  294  may include an open button  296 , a closed button  298 , and any other suitable partially open buttons. Remote controller  294  may be connected to actuator assembly  278  wirelessly  300  via Bluetooth, wi-fi, or any other suitable wireless or wired connection such as Ethernet, low voltage, or the like. While only open and closed buttons are shown, it is within the sprit to include various partially open positions which can be specifically selected. The remote controller  294  may instead be a furnace/air handler, home automation system, or a thermostat which selectively controls the opening and closing of the air register depending upon if the furnace blower is currently operating such that the air register should be open and if the furnace blower is not currently operating such that the air register should be closed. One key advantage of this structure is that currently installed air registers can be utilized to automatically open and close the air registers throughout the home when needed. Nevertheless, even greater energy efficiency can be obtained by utilizing the remote activated air register operation with a gasketed air register of the present disclosure. 
       FIG. 34  incorporates actuator  284  inside the air ductwork for a more aesthetically pleasing appearance and is specifically shown connected remotely to a furnace  302 , although any of the previously disclosed controlling mechanisms may be utilized with the internal or external louver actuator systems. Still further, the remote or automated actuator system may be utilized with any number of air register designs beyond those specifically shown or described in this disclosure so long as the air register louvers can be opened selectively by the system as determined by the method of operation. 
     In operation, it may be preferred to have the louvers fully open when the air handler blower is active and the louvers fully closed when the air handler blower is inactive. Still further, it may be that only a limited number of rooms are being used and the system may open only the necessary air registers to more efficiently provide conditioned air. As can be seen, there are a number of possibilities for system customization. 
     In summary, the air registers disclosed provide more energy efficient ways to seal the conditioned space from the ductwork and the exterior spaces without changing the structure of the air register from the consumer&#39;s perspective. Further, the various aspects provide unique and efficient ways to reduce energy loss as well as a system which is able to further reduce energy consumption by more efficiently and selectively sealing various air registers. 
     It will be understood that implementations are not limited to the specific components disclosed herein, as virtually any components consistent with the intended operation of a method and/or system implementation for an air register may be utilized. Components may comprise any shape, size, style, type, model, version, class, grade, measurement, concentration, material, weight, quantity, and/or the like consistent with the intended operation of a method and/or system implementation for an air register. 
     The concepts disclosed herein are not limited to the specific implementations shown herein. For example, it is specifically contemplated that the components included in a particular implementation of an air register may be formed of any of many different types of materials or combinations that can readily be formed into shaped objects and that are consistent with the intended operation of an air register. For example, the components may be formed of: rubbers (synthetic and/or natural) and/or other like materials; polymers and/or other like materials; plastics, and/or other like materials; composites and/or other like materials; metals and/or other like materials; alloys and/or other like materials; and/or any combination of the foregoing. 
     Furthermore, embodiments of the air register may be manufactured separately and then assembled together, or any or all of the components may be manufactured simultaneously and integrally joined with one another. Manufacture of these components separately or simultaneously may involve extrusion, pultrusion, vacuum forming, injection molding, blow molding, resin transfer molding, casting, forging, cold rolling, milling, drilling, reaming, turning, grinding, stamping, cutting, bending, welding, soldering, hardening, riveting, punching, plating, and/or the like. If any of the components are manufactured separately, they may then be coupled or removably coupled with one another in any manner, such as with adhesive, a weld, a fastener, any combination thereof, and/or the like for example, depending on, among other considerations, the particular material(s) forming the components. 
     In places where the description above refers to particular implementations of an air register, it should be readily apparent that a number of modifications may be made without departing from the spirit thereof and that these implementations may be applied to other air registers. The accompanying claims are intended to cover such modifications as would fall within the true spirit and scope of the disclosure set forth in this document. The presently disclosed implementations are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the disclosure being indicated by the appended claims rather than the foregoing description. All changes that come within the meaning of and range of equivalency of the claims are intended to be embraced therein.