Abstract:
The invention relates to ventilation grilles ( 22, 24 ), ventilation grille frames ( 10 ) and ventilation grille slats ( 12, 14 ), and to methods of producing ventilation grilles ( 22, 24 ). According to the invention, the ventilation grille frame ( 10 ) comprises horizontal slat holders ( 16 ) and vertical slat holders ( 18 ) which lie at least substantially in one plane. As a result, one and the same ventilation grille frame ( 10 ) can be selectively fitted with horizontal or vertical ventilation grille slats ( 12, 14 ), thus achieving a flexible configuration.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to a ventilation grille frame for holding ventilation grille slats, with the ventilation grille frame having horizontal slat holders and vertical slat holders. The invention also relates to ventilation grille slats. The invention also relates to ventilation grilles and to a method for producing ventilation grilles of said type. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Ventilation grilles are usually used in the outlet region of ventilation ducts, for example in connection with the air-conditioning of buildings or vehicles etc. Here, it is known to fit ventilation grilles with horizontal slats and/or with vertical slats. Within the context of the present application, the terms horizontal and vertical should relate merely to two preferred directions which run perpendicular to one another, wherein the relative position with respect to the Earth&#39;s surface should be unimportant. It is for example possible for a ventilation grille which has merely horizontal slats within the context of the invention to be arranged such that the horizontal slats in fact run perpendicularly or obliquely with respect to the Earth&#39;s surface. 
         [0003]    A ventilation grille which has both horizontal slats and also vertical slats is disclosed for example in DE 173 12 68 U. In the ventilation grille shown there, the horizontal slats and the vertical slats are arranged in series with respect to the air flow direction in a ventilation grille frame. 
         [0004]    The invention is based on the object of specifying ventilation grille components by means of which ventilation grilles can be configured and produced in a flexible manner. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    Said object is achieved by means of the subject matters of the independent claims. 
         [0006]    Advantageous embodiments and refinements of the invention can be gathered from the dependent claims. 
         [0007]    The ventilation grille frame builds on the generic prior art in that the horizontal slat holders and the vertical slat holders lie at least substantially in a plane. By means of said solution, it is possible to use one and the same ventilation grille frame both for producing ventilation grilles which have only horizontal slats and also for producing ventilation grilles which have only vertical slats. 
         [0008]    It is preferably provided in the ventilation grille frame according to the invention that the horizontal slat holders and/or the vertical slat holders are formed by recesses. Here, it is particularly preferable for all the recesses, which form horizontal slat holders or vertical slat holders, to have an identical shape in order to define a standard for the end sections of the ventilation grille slats which are to be used. 
         [0009]    It is particularly preferable in this context that the recesses be cuboidal. 
         [0010]    The ventilation grille slat according to the invention is characterized in that it has a foot, preferably a cuboidal foot, at at least one of its axial end sections. In any case, it is preferable for the shape of the foot to be matched to the shape of the recesses in the ventilation grille frame according to the invention. 
         [0011]    The ventilation grille slat according to the invention can advantageously be refined in that the at least one foot is rotatable. In this way, it is possible to produce ventilation grilles whose ventilation grille slats are pivotable about their longitudinal axis in the assembled state. If appropriate, it is possible for a plurality of ventilation grille slats to be coupled to one another, in a manner known per se, so as to generate a common pivoting movement. 
         [0012]    The invention also provides a ventilation grille having a ventilation grille frame, in particular as claimed in one of claims  1  to  3 , which has horizontal slat holders and vertical slat holders which lie substantially in a plane, with ventilation grille slats, in particular ventilation grille slats as claimed in claim  4  or  5 , being inserted into at least some of the horizontal slat holders. Here, the precise configuration of the ventilation grille is flexible. It is not necessary for all of the horizontal slat holders to be provided with ventilation grille slats, but rather it is for example possible for every second ventilation grille slat which can be inserted to be omitted. 
         [0013]    One preferred refinement of the invention provides that at least one slat support is inserted into the vertical slat holders. A slat support of said type is advantageous in particular when the slats to be supported have a comparatively large length, since undesired vibrations can be avoided then. For this purpose, said slat support preferably has notches whose shape is matched to the shape of the ventilation grille slats which are to be supported. 
         [0014]    In preferred embodiments of the ventilation grille in question, it is provided that at least a part of the ventilation grille frame is covered by a ventilation grille faceplate which presses the ventilation grille slats into the horizontal slat holders in order to produce a positive fit and which if appropriate presses the at least one slat support into vertical slat holders in order to produce a positive fit. Here, it can be provided in particular that the ventilation grille frame and the ventilation grille faceplate are fitted with suitable latching devices, so that the two components can be connected with one another in a simple manner. Said connection can if appropriate be detachable in order to permit a later reconfiguration of the ventilation grille. 
         [0015]    The ventilation grille according to the invention can if appropriate be configured such that at least some of the horizontal slat holders are unoccupied. 
         [0016]    The invention also provides a ventilation grille having a ventilation grille frame, in particular as claimed in one of claims  1  to  3 , which has horizontal slat holders and vertical slat holders which lie substantially in a plane, with ventilation grille slats, in particular ventilation grille slats as claimed in claim  4  or  5 , being inserted into at least some of the vertical slat holders. Here, the ventilation grille frame can correspond to the ventilation grille frame which is used in the above-explained ventilation grille with horizontal slats. 
         [0017]    In said ventilation grille, too, it is preferable for at least a part of the ventilation grille frame to be covered by a ventilation grille faceplate which presses the ventilation grille slats into the vertical slat holders in order to produce a positive fit. Here, it is again possible for suitable latching connections, for example in the manner of snap-in connections, to be provided. 
         [0018]    In this case, too, configurations are considered in which it is provided that at least some of the vertical slat holders are unoccupied. 
         [0019]    The invention also provides a ventilation grille having a first ventilation grille frame, in particular as claimed in one of claims  1  to  3 , which has horizontal slat holders and vertical slat holders which lie substantially in a plane, with ventilation grille slats, in particular ventilation grille slats as claimed in claim  4  or  5 , being inserted into at least some of the horizontal slat holders, and having a second ventilation grille frame, in particular as claimed in one of claims  1  to  3 , arranged upstream or downstream of the first ventilation grille frame with respect to the expected air flow, which second ventilation grille frame has horizontal slat holders and vertical slat holders which lie substantially in a plane, with ventilation grille slats, in particular ventilation grille slats as claimed in claim  4  or  5 , being inserted into at least some of the vertical slat holders. A ventilation grille of said type, which has both horizontal slats and also vertical slats, can be composed of the above-explained standard components. Here, the ventilation grille frame to which a ventilation grille faceplate is assigned preferably presses the ventilation grille slats which are inserted into the other ventilation grille frame into the corresponding recesses. It is also possible for suitable latching devices to be provided in order to be able to connect the first ventilation grille frame, the second ventilation grille frame and if appropriate a ventilation grille faceplate to one another in a simple manner. 
         [0020]    In a ventilation grille of said type, too, it can be provided that at least some of the horizontal slat holders and/or vertical slat holders are unoccupied. 
         [0021]    The method according to the invention for producing a ventilation grille has the following steps: 
         [0022]    providing a ventilation grille frame, in particular as claimed in one of claims  1  to  3 , which has horizontal slat holders and vertical slat holders which lie substantially in a plane, and 
         [0023]    inserting ventilation grille slats, in particular ventilation grille slats as claimed in claim  4  or  5 , into at least some of the horizontal slat holders or inserting ventilation grille slats, in particular ventilation grille slats as claimed in claim  4  or  5 , into at least some of the vertical slat holders. 
         [0024]    By means of said method, it is possible to produce either ventilation grilles with horizontal slats or ventilation grilles with vertical slats, specifically using one and the same ventilation grille frame. 
         [0025]    The method according to the invention is preferably refined in that it comprises the following further step: 
         [0026]    inserting at least one slat support into the horizontal slat holders or the vertical slat holders. 
         [0027]    A slat support is advantageous in particular when the slats to be supported have a large length and vibrations are to be expected without a slat support. 
         [0028]    The following step can also be provided in the method according to the invention: 
         [0029]    covering at least a part of the ventilation grille frame with a ventilation grille faceplate which presses the ventilation grille slats into the horizontal slat holders in order to produce a positive fit and which if appropriate presses the at least one slat support into the vertical slat holders in order to produce a positive fit. 
         [0030]    In this case, too, it is possible for the ventilation grille frame and the ventilation grille faceplate to be fitted with suitable latching devices in order to permit a simple connection of said components. Here, the connection can be detachable in order to permit a later reconfiguration. 
         [0031]    The invention is based on the concept of providing a flexibly configurable ventilation grille. For this purpose, the ventilation grille slats are inserted as individual components into the ventilation grille frame. As a result of said modular design, it is possible to form a multitude of ventilation grilles only by means of the arrangement and the number of ventilation grille slats used and different sizes of ventilation grille frames. For this purpose, the ventilation grille frame has standardized slat holders, which permits the use of the ventilation grille slats in diverse positions. A ventilation grille faceplate preferably holds together all of the components which are used. A great advantage of said novel design is the cost-effective realization of a large number of ventilation grille variants. If appropriate, it is possible for the ventilation grille faceplate to be provided as a simple plastic part which is provided for use with a decorative covering, for example composed of wood. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0032]    Preferred embodiments of the invention are explained by way of example below on the basis of the associated drawings, in which: 
           [0033]      FIG. 1  shows a plan view of one embodiment of a ventilation grille which is fitted with vertical ventilation grille slats and which has been produced by means of the method according to the invention using the ventilation grille frame according to the invention and the ventilation grille slats according to the invention; 
           [0034]      FIG. 2  shows a detail of the ventilation grille from  FIG. 1  in a perspective illustration and before the insertion of the final ventilation grille slat; 
           [0035]      FIG. 3  shows the illustration from  FIG. 2  after the insertion of the final ventilation grille slat; 
           [0036]      FIG. 4  shows a perspective illustration of the ventilation grille from  FIG. 1  and an associated ventilation grille faceplate; 
           [0037]      FIG. 5  shows a further perspective illustration of the ventilation grille from  FIG. 1  and the associated ventilation grille faceplate; 
           [0038]      FIG. 6  shows a perspective illustration of the ventilation grille from  FIG. 1  after the ventilation grille faceplate illustrated in  FIGS. 4 and 5  has been placed on; 
           [0039]      FIG. 7  shows a plan view of an embodiment of a ventilation grille which is fitted with horizontal ventilation grille slats and which has been produced by means of the method according to the invention using the ventilation grille frame according to the invention and the ventilation grille slats according to the invention; 
           [0040]      FIG. 8  shows a detail of the ventilation grille from  FIG. 7  in a perspective illustration before the insertion of the final ventilation grille slat; 
           [0041]      FIG. 9  shows the illustration from  FIG. 8  after the insertion of the final ventilation grille slat; and 
           [0042]      FIG. 10  shows a perspective exploded illustration of a ventilation grille which is composed of two ventilation grille frames, which have been fitted with ventilation grille slats, and a ventilation grille faceplate and which is assigned a fan. 
       
    
    
       [0043]    In the drawings, identical or similar reference symbols denote identical or similar components which, in order to avoid repetitions, are at least partially explained only once. 
       DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0044]      FIG. 1  shows a plan view of one embodiment of a ventilation grille  22  which is fitted with vertical ventilation grille slats  14  and which has been produced by means of the method according to the invention using the ventilation grille frame  10  according to the invention and the ventilation grille slats  14  according to the invention. The ventilation grille frame  10  can for example be a plastic injection-molded part which has horizontal slat holders  16  and vertical slat holders  18 , which are situated in a plane, in the form of cuboidal recesses. Latching devices  30  are arranged in the peripheral region of the ventilation grille frame  10 , which latching devices  30  are provided to interact with complementary latching devices  32  on a ventilation grille faceplate. According to the illustration of  FIG. 1 , ventilation grille slats  14  are inserted into all of the vertical slat holders  18 . This need not necessarily be the case. A great advantage of the invention is specifically that the ventilation grille frame  10  can be fitted with ventilation grille slats  14  in a variable manner in order to match the ventilation grille  22  which is formed to respective requirements. 
         [0045]      FIG. 2  shows a detail of the ventilation grille from  FIG. 1  in a perspective illustration and before the insertion of the final ventilation grille slat. In addition to the elements already explained on the basis of  FIG. 1 ,  FIG. 2  shows in particular the nature of the ventilation grille slats according to the invention. Each ventilation grille slat  14  (or  12  in  FIG. 8 ) has a cuboidal foot  20  at its two free end sections. Said foot is matched to the dimensions of the recesses which form the vertical slat holders  18 . It is possible for the ventilation grille slats  14  to be connected to their two feet  20  such that a pivoting movement of the ventilation grille slats  14  about their respective longitudinal axes is possible. Such a pivoting movement of the ventilation grille slats  14  about their longitudinal axis makes it possible to impart a desired flow direction to the throughflowing air. If appropriate, it is possible for a plurality of ventilation grille slats  14  to be coupled in a suitable manner in order to permit a common pivoting movement. 
         [0046]      FIG. 3  shows the illustration from  FIG. 2  after the insertion of the final ventilation grille slat. According to the illustration of  FIG. 3 , all of the ventilation grille slats  14  have been inserted into the vertical slat holders  18 . In the illustrated embodiment, it is provided that the ventilation grille slats  14  are locked in the vertical slat holders  18  by means of a ventilation grille faceplate  28 , as explained in more detail below on the basis of  FIGS. 4 to 6 . 
         [0047]      FIG. 4  shows a perspective illustration of the ventilation grille from  FIG. 1  and an associated ventilation grille faceplate,  FIG. 5  shows a further perspective illustration of the ventilation grille from  FIG. 1  and the associated ventilation grille faceplate, and  FIG. 6  shows a perspective illustration of the ventilation grille from  FIG. 1  after the ventilation grille faceplate illustrated in  FIGS. 4 and 5  has been placed on. The ventilation grille faceplate  28  has latching devices  32  in its outer edge region, which latching devices  32  are of complementary design to the latching devices  30  of the ventilation grille frame  10 . When the ventilation grille faceplate  28  is latched to the ventilation grille frame  30  (see  FIG. 6 ), an encircling edge  34  of the ventilation grille faceplate  28  presses the ventilation grille slats  14  into the recesses which form the vertical slat holders  18 . Since the actual bodies of the ventilation grille slats  14  project slightly beyond their feet  20  (see in particular  FIG. 2 ), the ventilation grille slats  14  rest with a small section against the ventilation grille faceplate  28  (see in particular  FIG. 6 ). 
         [0048]      FIG. 7  shows a plan view of an embodiment of a ventilation grille which is fitted with horizontal ventilation grille slats and which has been produced by means of the method according to the invention using the ventilation grille frame according to the invention and the ventilation grille slats according to the invention. According to the illustration of  FIG. 7 , the ventilation grille frame  10  has been fitted with ventilation grille slats  12  which are arranged in the horizontal slat holders  16 . Since the horizontally arranged ventilation grille slats  12  are considerably longer than the vertically arranged ventilation grille slats  14  (see  FIGS. 1 to 6 ), according to the illustration of  FIG. 7 , a shaft support  26  is provided, which is inserted into vertical slat holders  18 . Said slat support  26  effectively prevents any vibration of the ventilation grille slats  12 . 
         [0049]      FIG. 8  shows a detail of the ventilation grille from  FIG. 7  in a perspective illustration before the insertion of the final ventilation grille slat  12 .  FIG. 8  shows in particular that the ventilation grille slats  12  also have a foot  20  at their end sections, which foot  20  is matched to the dimensions of the recesses which form the horizontal slat holders  16 . It is particularly advantageous for all the embodiments if the recesses which form the horizontal slat holders  16  and the vertical slat holders  18  have identical dimensions.  FIG. 8  likewise shows that the slat support  26  has notches  34  which are matched to the outer periphery of the ventilation grille slats  12 . The ventilation grille slats  12  are therefore additionally supported by the slat support  26  and a vibration of the ventilation grille slats  12  is reliably prevented. 
         [0050]      FIG. 9  shows the illustration from  FIG. 8  after the insertion of the final ventilation grille slat  12 . Similarly to the illustration from  FIG. 3 , the ventilation grille frame  10  according to the illustration of  FIG. 9  is completely fitted with ventilation grille slats. The ventilation grille faceplate  28  which is shown in  FIGS. 4 to 6  is again used to lock the ventilation grille slats  12  and the slat support  26  in the ventilation grille frame  10 . After the fastening of the ventilation grille faceplate  28 , the encircling edge  34  of the latter presses the feet  20  of the ventilation grille slats  12  and the identically designed feet  20 ′ of the slat support  26  into the respective recesses which respectively form the horizontal slat holders  16  and the vertical slat holders  18 . 
         [0051]      FIG. 10  shows a perspective exploded illustration of a ventilation grille which is composed of two ventilation grille frames, which have been fitted with ventilation grille slats, and a ventilation grille faceplate and which is assigned a fan. Here, the arrangement is selected such that a first ventilation grille frame  10  with vertically arranged ventilation grille slats  14  is arranged, in front of the outlet  38  of the fan  36 , followed by a second ventilation grille frame  10  with horizontally arranged ventilation grille slats  12 , and a ventilation grille faceplate  28 . In this way, a ventilation grille is formed which has both horizontal and also vertical ventilation grille slats  12  and  14  respectively. As mentioned, it is not strictly necessary for all of the horizontal slat holders  16  or all of the vertical slat holders  18  to be occupied, as is illustrated in the figures. The occupation of the respective holders with ventilation grille slats can rather be carried out dependent on the application. 
         [0052]    The features of the invention disclosed in the above description, in the drawings and in the claims can be essential to the realization of the invention both individually and also in any desired combination. 
       LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS 
       [0053]      10  Ventilation grille frame 
         [0054]      12  Ventilation grille slats 
         [0055]      14  Ventilation grille slats 
         [0056]      16  Horizontal slat holders 
         [0057]      18  Vertical slat holders 
         [0058]      20  Foot 
         [0059]      22  Ventilation grille 
         [0060]      24  Ventilation grille 
         [0061]      26  Slat support 
         [0062]      28  Ventilation grille faceplate 
         [0063]      30  Latching devices 
         [0064]      34  Edge 
         [0065]      36  Fan 
         [0066]      38  Fan outlet