Patent Abstract:
Air deflector for deflecting an air flow from an air register including a pair of mounting members adapted to be mounted on opposite sides of a venting member of the air register device and a laterally expandable guide member arranged between the mounting members. The guide member is expandable to different lengths to thereby enable the length between the mounting members to vary and allow the air deflector to be used for different sized air registers. The guide member is pivotally connected to the mounting members and pivotable into different angular positions relative to the mounting members to thereby enable the air flow to be deflected into different directions depending on the angular position of the guide member.

Full Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates generally to a deflector for changing a direction of an air flow from an air vent or air register and more particularly to a laterally expandable air deflector which is adapted to be mounted over an air register and is capable of deflecting the air flow from the air register into a plurality of different directions. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Ventilation systems typically include air conduits and air registers which terminate the conduits and disperse flowing air from the conduits into rooms or other interior environments. The air registers are mounted in the floor, walls or ceiling of the rooms as desired. 
   Some air registers direct a substantially laminar flow in one direction while others are designed to disperse air in multiple directions. In addition, air registers often include a venting member having louvers that are intended to produce multiple airflow streams in various directions. The louvers themselves are typically flat, planar blades arranged parallel to one another and spaced apart to allow airflow between them, with direction of the air flow being imparted by the angular orientation of the louvers. 
   Often, the direction or directions of air flow from the air register is not ideal. For example, a couch or bed might be situated in the path of the air flow from a ceiling-mounted air register so that when occupied by a person, the person is impacted by a mildly forceful air flow which is uncomfortable. In addition, a person might sit down in front of a wall-mounted air register and be impacted by the forceful air flow therefrom. 
   In view of this problem, air deflectors for mounting to an air register have been constructed for the purpose of enabling the direction of the air flow from the air register to be changed. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,481,871 (Efstratis) describes an air duct extension unit having a mounting section which is mounted on an air register and a telescoping section which extends laterally from the mounting section. Air from the register is directed through the mounting section and telescoping section and thus, instead of flowing to a space in the room in front of the air duct, the air is directed via the extension unit to a location at a side of the air duct. 
   In addition, U.S. Pat. No. 5,498,203 (Reichert) describes an air flow deflector having a frame and a guide plate which is movable to any one of three positions to vary the direction of the air flow from the register. The air flow can be directed to a space in front of the register or to one side of the register. 
   One problem with these prior art air deflectors is that they cannot fit different sized air register. Thus, the air deflectors have to be manufactured in different sizes in order to enable their use with variously sized air registers as existing in the marketplace. 
   In the prior art, there are also air deflectors arranged in connection with windows to change the direction of the air flow through an opening between the window and the window frame. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,454,755 (Sweeny et al.) shows a ventilator for slider-type windows which is retained between a window slider frame and a frame member, i.e., in the opening between the slider frame and the frame member. The ventilator includes slidable or telescoping bridging members which enable the ventilator to have a variable length. One problem with this type of air ventilator is that it only directs the air in a single direction, upward in the disclosed embodiment. 
   Another prior art air deflector is a plastic vent cover that is designed to mount onto an air register and direct air into a room or other interior environment. This prior art air deflector is adjustable to various widths and is held in place on the air register by magnets. 
   None of the prior art air deflectors described above is capable of changing the direction of an air flow to any one of a plurality of different directions and also has an adjustable length to enable its use with any size air register or other similar air flow device. 
   OBJECT AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   It is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved air deflector for changing a direction of an air flow from an air register or other similar air flow device. 
   It is another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved air deflector which is expandable to different lengths to enable its use with various sized air registers and similar air flow devices. 
   It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved air deflector which is adapted to be mounted over an air register or other similar air flow device and is capable of deflecting the air flow from the air register into a plurality of different directions. 
   It is still another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved air deflector which is capable of being mounted to conventional air registers in multiple ways. 
   In order to achieve these objects and others, an air deflector in accordance with the invention includes a pair of mounting members adapted to be mounted on opposite sides of a venting member of an air register or other similar air flow device and a laterally expandable guide member arranged between the mounting members. The guide member is expandable to different lengths to thereby enable the length between the mounting members to vary and allow the air deflector to be used for different sized air registers. 
   The guide member is pivotally connected to the mounting members and pivotable into a plurality of different angular positions relative to the mounting members to thereby enable the air flow to be deflected into different directions depending on the angular position of the guide member. Moreover, the air flow can be deflected into opposite directions at the same time at various flow rates. Thus, the guide member can have one extreme angular position in which the air flow is deflected entirely to one side of the air register and another extreme angular position in which the air flow is deflected entirely to the other side of the air register. The guide member can be positioned in these extreme positions or at one or more intermediate positions in which the air flow is deflected partially to one side of the air register and partially to the other side of the air register. 
   To enable its lateral expansion, the guide member includes a plurality of deflecting sections slidable laterally relative to one another. The deflecting sections include one or more outer deflecting sections each defining a channel and one or more inner deflecting sections each partially slidable in the channel of any adjoining outer deflecting sections. An inner deflection section is movable between an extreme position in which it is substantially received within the channel(s) of the adjoining outer deflecting section(s) and an extreme position in which it is only minimally received within the channel(s) of the adjoining outer deflecting section(s). 
   At a minimum, the guide member includes one outer deflecting section and one inner deflecting section whereby each of these deflecting section is rotatably and directly connected to a respective one of the mounting members. 
   The deflecting sections are constructed to limit lateral movement thereof relative to one another to thereby maintain the deflecting sections in engagement with one another. This prevents dismemberment of the guide member. For example, a pin can be formed on a surface of each outer deflecting section and a groove formed on a surface of each inner deflecting section and arranged to receive the pin of any adjoining outer deflecting sections. 
   To pivotally connect the guide member to the mounting members, a pivot pin is attached to each mounting member and engages with the guide member. The pivot pins defines a pivot axis about which the guide member pivots relative to the mounting members. Each pivot pin can pass through an aperture in a respective flange formed on opposite sides of the guide member adjacent the mounting members. 
   To enable positioning of the guide member in the different angular positions, a detent mechanism is provided. For example, the detent mechanism may constitute a flexible finger formed on the guide member and having a protrusion thereon which is urged into contact with a surface of an adjacent mounting member by the flexible finger. Such a flexible finger could be provided on a flange of the guide member adjacent each mounting member. Optionally, indentations are formed on the surface of the adjoining mounting member so that the protrusion is urged into each indentation by the flexible finger at a respective, different pivoted position of the guide member relative to the mounting members. This introduces a threshold force which must be exceeded before the guide member can be pivoted to a different position. 
   The mounting members can be attached to the vent frame of the air register and/or to a surrounding substrate, such as a wall, floor or ceiling. Magnets can be arranged in connection with the mounting members for this purpose and/or slots formed in the mounting members through which fasteners such as screws can pass into engagement with the air register or into the substrate surrounding the air register. 
   Other and further objects, advantages and features of the present invention will be understood by reference to the following specification in conjunction with the annexed drawings, wherein like parts have been given like numbers. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals identify like elements, and wherein: 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an air deflector in accordance with the invention in place on a floor vent. 
       FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional end view of the air deflector shown in  FIG. 1  taken along the line  2 — 2  of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional side view of the air deflector shown in  FIG. 1  taken along the line  3 — 3  of  FIG. 2 . 
       FIG. 4  is a schematic end view of the air deflector shown in  FIG. 1  used in conjunction with a ceiling-mounted air register. 
       FIG. 5  is a schematic end view of the air deflector shown in  FIG. 1  used in conjunction with a wall-mounted air register. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   Referring to the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals refer to the same or similar elements, an air deflector in accordance with the invention is shown in  FIGS. 1–5  and designated generally as  10 . Air deflector  10  comprises a pair of mounting members  12  and a guide member  14  rotatably connected to and arranged between the mounting members  12 . 
   Mounting members  12  are designed to mount the air deflector  10  in place over an air register  90  which terminates an air conduit and includes a venting member  92  surrounded by a metal vent frame  94 , and specifically so that the guide member  14  is arranged in the path of the air flow from the venting member  92 . Mounting members  12  can be mounted to the metal vent frame  94  surrounding the venting member  92  and/or to a wall, floor or ceiling  96  surrounding the vent frame  94 . Mounting members  12  are attached to the vent frame  94  or wall, floor or ceiling  96  on opposite side of the venting member  92  so that the guide member  14  spans and extends across substantially the entire venting member  92 . 
   Mounting members  12  are generally L-shaped, including a horizontal portion  16  which is adapted to be placed against and preferably in contact with the substrate to which the mounting member  12  is attached, i.e., the vent frame  94  and/or wall, floor or ceiling  96 , and a vertical portion  18  extending substantially perpendicular to the horizontal portion  16 . When installed in connection with the air register  90 , the horizontal portion  16  is situated generally parallel to the outer surface of the vent frame  94  and outer surface of the wall, floor or ceiling  96 . Reinforcement ribs may optionally be provided between the upper surface of the horizontal portion  16  and the outer surface of the vertical portion  18 . 
   The guide member  14  is rotatably mounted to the vertical portions  18  of the mounting members  12 . To this end, guide member  14  includes a flange  20  formed at each end and a pivot pin  22  is attached to the vertical portion  18  of each mounting member  12  and arranged to pass through an aperture  24  in a respective flange  20 . The pivot pins  22  define a pivot axis about which the guide member  14  pivots relative to the mounting members  12 . The pivot pins  22  may be in the form of a split-flared head, snap-fit hinge assembly and may pass through an aperture in the vertical portions  18  of the mounting members  12  as well. An optional washer  26  is interposed between the vertical portion  18  of each mounting member  12  and the respective flange  20  of the guide member  14  (see  FIG. 3 ). 
   Guide member  14  is mounted to the mounting members  12  to enable it to be positioned and maintained in any one of a plurality of different angular, pivoted positions. In one extreme angular position, a front edge of the guide member  14  is close to and possibly even in contact with the venting member  92  (see the guide member  14  shown in phantom lines in  FIG. 2 ). In this position, the guide member  14  directs all of the air from the air register  90  in a rearward direction (arrows A 1  and A 2  in  FIG. 2 ). In an opposite extreme position, a rear edge of the guide member  14  is close to and possibly in contact with the venting member  92  (see the guide member  14  shown in  FIG. 1 ). In this position, the guide member  14  directs all of the air from the air register  90  in a forward direction (arrows B in  FIGS. 1 and 2 ). In an intermediate position shown in solid lines in  FIG. 2 , the guide member  14  is substantially parallel to the outer face of the venting member  92  and directs the air from the air register  90  both in a forward direction and in a rearward direction (arrows A 2  and B in  FIG. 2 ). Additional intermediate positions between the extreme positions are also possible. 
   To provide for the positioning of the guide member  14  in the different angular, pivoted positions, a detent mechanism is provided. The detent mechanism includes a flexible finger  28  formed on one or both flanges  20  of the guide member  14  and having a protrusion  30  thereon, e.g., a protrusion in the form of a hemispherical bump. The protrusion  30  is urged by the finger  28  against an opposed surface of the adjacent mounting member  12 , e.g., the inner surface of the vertical portion  18  of the mounting member  16 , to frictionally engage the mounting member  12 . Optionally, a plurality of dimples or indentations  32  are formed in the inner surface  34  of the vertical portion  18  of each mounting member  12  such that the protrusion  30  is capable of entering into each indentation  32  at a different pivoted position of the guide member  14  relative to the mounting members  12 . 
   Manual pivoting of the guide member  14  causes the flexible finger  28  to flex inward and the protrusion  30  is thereby moved along the surface of the vertical portion  18  of the mounting member  12  and when the indentations  32  are present, from one indentation  32  to another. When the indentations  32  are not present, the guide member  14  is more easily moved between the angular positions and a large number of intermediate positions are possible. When the indentations  32  are present, the number of different angular positions of the guide member  14  is essentially limited by the number of indentations  32 . 
   The guide member  14  is also designed to enable the air deflector  10  to be used with a plurality of different sized air registers  90 . To this end, the guide member  14  is formed from a plurality of deflecting sections  34   a ,  34   b ,  34   c ,  34   d  which are slidable laterally relative to one another to enable the guide member  14  to have a variable length. At a minimum, the guide member  14  includes two deflecting sections, namely, an outer end deflecting section  34   a  and an inner end deflecting section  34   b . Outer end deflecting section  34   a  is formed in connection with the flange  20  and defines a channel  36  on an underside into which the inner end deflecting section  34   b  can slide. The channel  36  is defined by an substantially planar wall  38 , front and rear curved walls  40  and front and rear inwardly directed lips  42  (see  FIG. 2 ). Inner end deflecting section  34   b  is also formed in connection with a flange  20  and includes a substantially planar wall  44  and front and rear curved walls  46 . When the inner end deflecting section  34   b  slides into the outer end deflecting section  34   a , the wall  44  slides along the wall  38  while the curved walls  46  slide between the curved walls  40  and the lips  42  (see  FIG. 2 ). 
   In the non-limiting illustrated embodiment, the flanges  20  extend substantially perpendicular to the deflection portions of the end deflecting sections  34   a ,  34   b , i.e., the planar walls  38  or  44 , so that the guide member  14  is substantially perpendicular to the vertical portions  18  of the mounting members  12 . 
   To enable the inner end deflecting section  34   b  to be maintained in connection with the outer end deflecting section  34   a , a pin  48  is formed on the bottom surface of the planar wall  38  of the outer end deflecting section  34   a  on a lateral side opposite to the flange  20  and a groove  50  is formed in the top surface of the planar wall  44  of the inner end deflecting section  34   b . The groove  50  does not extend fully to the lateral edges of the inner end deflecting section  34   b . The pin  48  enters into the groove  50  and slides therein when the outer and inner end deflecting sections  34   a ,  34   b  slide relative to one another to vary the length of the guide member  14 . Thus, separation of the outer and inner end deflecting sections  34   a ,  34   b  from one another would be prevented. 
   Other constructions for limiting the lateral movement of the deflecting sections  34   a ,  34   b  relative to one another to thereby maintain the deflecting sections  34   a ,  34   b  in engagement with one another are also possible. For example, one construction could be locating the pin  48  and groove  50  in connection with the curved walls  40 ,  46 . Also, instead of grooves, slots could be formed. 
   In the illustrated embodiment, there are two additional intermediate deflecting sections to increase the largest possible length of the guide member  14 , an outer intermediate deflecting section  34   c  connected to the inner end deflecting section  34   b  and an inner intermediate deflecting section  34   d  connected to the outer end deflecting section  34   a  and to the outer intermediate deflecting section  34   c  (see  FIG. 3 ). Outer intermediate deflecting section  34   c  defines a channel  36  on an underside into which the inner end deflecting section  34   b  and the inner intermediate deflecting section  34   d  slide. The channel  36  is defined by an substantially planar wall  38 , front and rear curved walls  40  and front and rear inwardly directed lips  42 . A pin  48  is formed on the bottom surface of the planar wall  38  of the outer intermediate deflecting section  34   c  along each lateral side. Inner intermediate deflecting section  34   d  includes a substantially planar wall  44  and front and rear curved walls  46 . A groove  50  is formed in the top surface of the planar wall  44  of the inner intermediate deflecting section  34   b.    
   As shown in  FIG. 3 , the inner end deflecting section  34   b  and the inner intermediate deflecting section  34   d  slide into the channel  36  in the outer intermediate deflecting section  34   c  while the inner intermediate deflecting section  34   d  also slides into the channel  36  in the outer end deflecting section  34   a . The pins  48  and grooves  50  serve to maintain the deflecting sections  34   a ,  34   b ,  34   c ,  34   d  in connection with one another while enabling the deflecting sections  34   a ,  34   b ,  34   c ,  34   d  to slide relative to one another to vary the length of the guide member  14 . 
   Instead of forming channels  36  in the outer deflecting sections  34   a ,  34   c , an alternative manner to provide for slidable engagement of the inner and outer deflecting sections is to form the outer deflecting sections with only a planar wall and front and rear curved wall and the inner deflecting sections with a planar wall, front and rear curved wall and an outwardly directed lip whereby the front and rear curved walls of the outer deflecting sections slide in channels defined by the front and rear curved walls and outwardly directed lips of the inner deflecting sections. Other ways for enabling slidable engagement of the inner and outer deflecting sections, such as a telescoping construction, are also considered to be within the scope and spirit of the invention. 
   The length of the guide member  14  can be further increased by inserting additional pairs of an inner intermediate deflecting section and an outer intermediate deflecting sections, while maintaining the alternating sequence of an inner deflecting section and an outer deflecting section. Depending on the length of each deflecting section, there may be from 2 to 8 deflecting section in the guide member  14 . If smaller deflecting sections are used, then the number of deflecting sections would be higher than when larger deflecting sections are used (in order to provide for the same maximum length of the guide member  14 ). 
   In alternative constructions of the guide member  14 , it is also possible to provide two outer end deflecting sections with a single inner intermediate deflecting section, or two inner end deflecting sections with a single outer intermediate deflecting section. For these embodiments, it is possible to increase the length of the guide member  14  by adding one or more pairs of an inner intermediate deflecting section and an outer intermediate deflecting section. 
   There are various ways to attach the mounting members  12  to the vent frame  94  and/or wall, floor or ceiling  96 . In the illustrated embodiment, a magnet  56  is arranged in a cavity  58  formed on the mounting member  12  outward of the vertical portion  18  and extending upward from an opening  62  in the horizontal portion  16 . Enclosure walls  60  are formed to define the cavity  20  and include a side wall  60   a  parallel to the vertical portion  18  and spaced outward therefrom, a top wall  60   b  parallel to the horizontal portion  16  and spaced upward therefrom and side walls  60   c  extending perpendicular to the horizontal and vertical portions  16 ,  18 . The magnets  56  may be constructed to provide opposite poles which are flush with the lower horizontal edge  64  of the horizontal portion  16  (see  FIG. 3 ). 
   The magnet  56  in each mounting member  12  serves to enable magnetic attraction of the mounting member  12  to the metal vent frame  94  on a respective side of the venting member  92 . Using magnetic forces, the air deflector  10  can be easily attached and removed from connection with the air register  90  simply by placing the magnets  56  into engagement with the metal vent frame  92 . The size and strength of the magnets  56  should be set such that when the air deflector  10  is mounted on a wall or ceiling and air passes through the air register  90  with a typical force, the combined effect of the magnets  56  interacting with the metal vent frame  94  is capable of holding the air deflector  10  firmly in position. 
   A construction of an air deflector  10  in accordance with the invention is also envisioned in which magnets  56  are not used so that the cavity  58 , enclosure walls  60  and opening  62  are not present. An alternative attachment mechanism for attaching the mounting members  12  to the vent frame  94  or wall, floor or ceiling  96  is thus provided. 
   One attachment mechanism for attaching the mounting members  12  to the wall, floor or ceiling  96  is the formation of an elongate slot  66  in the horizontal portion  16 . Slot  66  has an enlarged end  68  through which the head of a screw  70  can pass (see  FIG. 1 ). Instead of screws  70 , other elongate fasteners can be used, such as nails. To mount the air deflector  10  using slots  66 , screws  70  are screwed or drilled into the wall, floor or ceiling  96 , and then the air deflector  10  is placed onto the screws  70  by aligning the end  68  of the slot  66  over the screws  70  until the air deflector  10  is flush against the wall, floor or ceiling  96 . The mounting members  12  can be moved upward or downward such that the screws  70  slide in the slots  66  until a desired position of the air deflector  10  relative to the venting member  92  is obtained. The screws  70  are tightened to press the horizontal portions  16  against the wall, floor or ceiling  96 . 
   Alternatively, it is possible to mount the screws  70  into the wall, floor or ceiling  96  such that the air deflector  10  is in the desired position when the screws  70  are at the end of the slots  66  opposite the enlarged end  68 . When this technique is used for a wall-mounted air register, the air deflector  10  would remain in position by the effect of gravity and removing it would entail lifting it upward until the ends  68  of the slots  66  align with the screws  70  and then pulling the air deflector  10  away from the wall  96 . 
   If attachment to a wall, floor or ceiling  96  surrounding the air register  90  is desired, and not attachment to the metal vent frame  94  of the air register  90 , it is possible to provide the slots  66  in the horizontal portions  16  of the mounting members  12  without the cavities  58  receiving the magnets  56 . The mounting members  12  could thus have a simple L-shaped configuration. 
   Other attachment mechanisms for attaching the mounting members  12  to the metal vent frame  94  or to the wall, floor or ceiling  96  include holes formed in the horizontal portion  16  through which screws or nails can be passed as well as various adhesives which may be placed on the lower surface of the horizontal portion  16  of the mounting members  12 . 
   Another attachment mechanism is designed to use the holes through which screws pass to mount the vent frame  94  to a substructure of the air register  90 . In this case, holes or slots are formed on the horizontal portion  16  of the mounting members  12  in alignment with the location of the holes for the screws which mount the vent frame  94 . Screws can then be passed through the holes in the mounting members  12  and the aligning holes in the metal vent to both fix the air deflector to the metal frame  94  and the metal frame  94  to the substructure. This type of attachment save materials and provides a clean-looking installation by eliminating the need to make new holes in the wall, floor or ceiling. 
   The width of the guide member  14  is preferably sufficient to enable the guide member  14  to be situated entirely in the part of a straight outward air flow from the venting member  92  of the air register  90  regardless of the angular position of the guide member  14  (see  FIG. 2  wherein the guide member  14  in both solid lines and phantom lines overlies the entire venting member  92 ). The guide member  14  can thus be dimensioned to contact the venting member  92  when at each of its extreme positions or can be dimensioned to contact the vent frame  94  when at each of its extreme positions. 
   In use to place the air deflector  10  over an air register  90 , the mounting members  12  are pulled apart from one another until the length of the guide member  14  approximates the length of the venting member  92 . The horizontal portions  16  of the mounting members  12  are then placed onto the vent frame  94 , and if the vent frame is magnetic and magnets  56  are provided in the mounting members  12 , then the air deflector  10  is attached to the air register  90 . The guide member  14  can then be pivoted into different angular positions relative to the mounting members  12  such that it deflects the air flow from the air register  90  entirely to one side, entirely to the opposite side or partially to each side. 
   Pivoting of the guide member  14  is achieved by pushing an edge of the guide member  14  separated from the air register  90  toward the air register  90 , or by lifting an edge of the guide member  14  away from the air register  90 . 
   In addition to the magnetic mounting of the air deflector  10  to the vent frame  94 , or when magnets  56  are not provided or the vent frame  94  is not magnetic, screws  70  can be mounted onto the wall, floor or ceiling  96  around the vent frame  94  with a small distance remaining between the head of the screws  70  and the wall, floor or ceiling  96 . The air deflector  10  is placed onto the screws  70  by aligning the enlarged end  68  of the slot  66  over the screws  70  until the air deflector  10  is flush against the wall, floor or ceiling  96  with the horizontal portion  16  of each mounting members  12  being between the head of a respective screw  70  and the wall, floor or ceiling  96 . The mounting members  12  are then moved upward or downward such that the screws  70  slide in the slots  66  until a desired position of the air deflector  10  relative to the venting member  92  is obtained. At this point, the screws  70  are tightened to press the horizontal portions  16  against the wall, floor or ceiling  96 . Removal of the air deflector  10  requires loosening of the screws  70 , sliding of the mounting members  12  relative to the screws  70  until the enlarged ends  68  align with the screws  70  and then pulling the mounting members  12  away from the air register  90 . 
   While the invention has been described above with respect to specific apparatus and specific implementations, it should be clear that various modifications and alterations can be made, and various features of one embodiment can be included in other embodiments, within the scope of the present invention. For example, although the air deflector is described above generally for use with a wall-mounted, floor-mounted or ceiling-mounted air register, it is also possible to use the air deflector for deflecting air flows which do not emanate from such air registers.

Technology Classification (CPC): 5