AU727800B2 - Adjustable ceiling register - Google Patents

Description

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT 0 S. S

*SS*

S. S. S S S. Name of Applicant: EDMONDS PRODUCTS AUSTRALIA PTY LIMITED Actual Inventor: NORMAN F MCDONALD Address for Service: Chrysiliou Moore Martin CMC Centre 143 Sydney Road Fairlight Sydney NSW 2094 Invention Title: Adjustable Ceiling Register The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us: o:\docs\ltr\991 la287.doc vb 9007.doc 1 ADJUSTABLE CEILING REGISTER This invention relates to ceiling registers and more particularly to ceiling registers useful for use in "cathedral" type ceilings. However the invention is not limited to such use.

A cathedral type ceiling is one in which there is no separate horizontal ceiling structure. Instead the ceiling consists of a lining attached to the underside of the roof joists. Thus there is no separate airspace between the living area of the room and the roof. The only place any insulation may be inserted is in the space between the ceiling lining and the roofing material. Due to these features of cathedral type ceilings, rooms having such ceilings tend to become hotter in summer and colder in winter, compared to a normal room.

It is possible to provide extra ventilation in the room by placing ventilation registers in the cathedral ceiling, so that in summer the extra airflow maintains the room cooler than otherwise. However this exacerbates the problem of being too cold in winter.

15 Existing ceiling registers are not practical for use with cathedral ceilings, either because they cannot be completely closed, are difficult to close or are not convenient to close from a remote point. It will be understood that because a cathedral ceiling follows the roof line, any ventilation register is generally out of reach, even from a step ladder and any adjustments would need to be made by use of an actuating rod or the like.

In an attempt to provide a ceiling register that is useful for use with a cathedral ceiling, the invention, in one broad form, provides a ventilation register including: S• an aperture through which air may flow; at least one wing mounted for movement between an open position, in which air may flow through the aperture and a closed position which substantially prevents airflow through the aperture; and biasing means for biasing the at least one wing toward the open or closed position; operating means for moving the at least one wing between the open and closed positions, said operating means including a rotatable cam for slidably bearing on the at least one wing, said cam rotatable about an axis transverse Sto the general plane of the aperture.

L-u The register is preferably provided with two wings, but a single wing may be used.

When two wings are used they preferably pivot about separate but parallel axes.

However they may pivot about a common axis.

The wing or wings may be biased toward the open or closed positions, preferably to the open position. The biasing means is preferably one or more coil springs placed in tension, but other biasing means may be used. When two wings are used, preferably the spring or springs are joined between the two wings to draw them to an open position.

Preferably the operating means comprises a rotatable cam which acts on the 10 wing or wings to move it or them between the open and closed positions.

Preferably the or each wing comprises a vane for closing the aperture and a tab for bearing against the cam. However, if desired the operating means may comprise two cams, one for each wing. If desired the cam or cams may act directly on the vane.

When two wings are used, preferably the cam is located between the two wings o and the respective tabs on the wings. Preferably movement of the wings between open and closed positions is achieved by rotation of the cam through about 900.

Preferably the cam is rotatable about an axis perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the or each wing. Alternatively the cam may rotate about an axis parallel to the axis of rotation of each wing.

:An alternate construction may have the wing or wings sliding between the open and closed positions.

The invention shall be better understood from the following description of a nonlimiting embodiment and the drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a cross-section through an embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of part of the actuating mechanism of the embodiment of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the embodiment of Fig. 1 viewed in the direction of arrow Referring to the drawings, there is shown a ceiling register 10 located in an aperture 12 in a ceiling 14.

The register comprises a ceiling grill unit, 16, which has a number of angled louvres 18, to allow air to pass through the grill whilst hiding the mechanism of the register from view. The grill unit 16 may be a modified standard unit and may be square, rectangular, circular or any other appropriate shape. In this embodiment the grill unit 16 is square.

Located above the louvres 18 there is provided a hinge bar 20, which extends centrally between two of the sides of the grill unit 16. The hinge bar 20 is provided 10 with resilient ends 22 to enable it to be clipped into the grill unit 16. Hinged on either side of the hinge bar 20 are two movable vanes, 24a and 24b, which are sized to substantially cover the louvres, as best seen in Fig. 3. When the vanes :24a, 24b cover the louvres, airflow through the register is substantially prevented.

The two vanes 24a, 24b are joined together by two springs 26a, 26b. The springs 26a, 26b are attached to each vane 24a, 24b at points remote from the hinge bar 20 and are sized so that they are in tension when the vanes are parallel against the louvres 18 (shown in dotted lines in fig. Thus the springs urge the vanes 24a, 24b to pivot upwards about the hinge bar 20 to the position shown in solid lines in Fig. 1, at which point air may flow through the register.

A shaft 28 is rotatably mounted at the centre of the hinge bar and extends downwards through an aperture in the grill unit 16. An operating knob 30 is secured to the shaft, so as to enable the shaft to be rotated. The knob 30 is square in profile, but this is not essential.

The shaft 28 extends upwards and on its free end is mounted a cam 32, for rotation with the shaft. The cam 32 is generally rectangular and is provided with a first pair of parallel edges 34a, 34b and a second pair of shorter parallel edges 36a, 36b, extending perpendicularly to the first pair. At one pair of diagonally opposite corners, the edges are joined by curved edges 38a, 38b.

The two vanes 24a, 24b are each provided with an actuating tab 40a, 40b, which extends at about 450 to the plane of the respective vane. Each tab is attached a short distance from the hinge bar 20 and extends away from the hinge bar with the cam 32 located between the tabs 40a, 40b, as best seen in figure 1.

The springs 26a, 26b draw the vanes 24a, 24b upward so that the tabs 40a, bear against the cam 32. The position of the vanes 24a, 24b is thus determined by the rotational position of the cam 32.

When the cam is positioned with edges 34 parallel with the hinge bar 20, the tabs 40a, 40b bear on the edges 34, which are close together, and so the vanes 24 are raised, allowing airflow through the register. Conversely, when edges 36 are parallel with the hinge bar 20, they are further apart than edges 34 and so the vanes are caused to lie flat against the louvres 18, substantially stopping airflow.

It will be appreciated that the size of the cam 32 and the angle size and positioning of the tabs 40 will be selected to enable full closure and opening of the vanes.

By rotating the shaft 900 only, by way of knob, it is thus possible to change the position of the vanes 20 from open to closed or vice versa. As the cam is rotated, from a closed position to an open position, the tabs 40 will first bear on edges 36, then on curved edges 38 and finally on edges 34. Closing merely involves rotation of the shaft 900 in the opposite direction. As the shaft rotates, the springs 26 will draw the vanes 20 upwards to maintain contact on the cam 32. It will be appreciated that use of curved edge 38 provides for a smooth action.

ooooo Whilst this register may be used in any ceiling, it will be appreciated that it is i particularly useful in cathedral ceilings. Opening or closing of the register only requires turning of the shaft by 90 This may be easily achieved using a rod with an appropriate end to engage the knob 30, so the register may be activated from the ground.

The cam mechanism may be provided with stops, so as to limit rotation of the shaft by 900, so that tab 40a bears on edges 34a, 36a and 38a only. As an alternative the cam may be provided with two additional curved edges similar to edges 38, between edges 36a and 34b and 34a and 36b respectively, so that rotation in either direction leads to smooth opening or closing of the register.

It will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to use of two vanes only. If desired a single vane could be used. In such circumstances the hinge bar would need to be located to one side of the grill unit 16 and a stanchion or similar structure provided for the operating spring or springs.

As an alternative to rotating the vane or vanes, they may be slid out of the way, preferably in a plane parallel to the aperture. Where two vanes are used, a similar spring arrangement may be utilised to bias the vanes to an open or closed position. Similarly, the operating mechanism may be positioned between the vanes to cause opening or closing of the vanes.

Whilst a rotatable arm is preferred to operate the vanes, it will be appreciated that other mechanisms may be used. Similarly, whilst direct actuation is preferred, operation of the actuating mechanism may be accomplished from a distance, for instance by use of wires, etc.

10 It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many modifications and variations may be made to the embodiment described herein without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.

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Claims (9)

1. 9007.doc 6 The claims defining the invention are as follows: 1. A ventilation register including: an aperture through which air may flow; at least one wing mounted for movement between an open position, in which air may flow through the aperture and a closed position which substantially prevents airflow through the aperture; and biasing means for biasing the at least one wing toward the open or closed position; operating means for moving the at least one wing between the open and closed positions, said operating means including a rotatable cam for slidably bearing on the at least one wing, said cam rotatable about an axis transverse to the general plane of the aperture.
2. 2. The ventilation register of claim 1 wherein the at least one wing is rotatable between the open and closed positions. 15
3. 3. The ventilation register of claim 2 wherein the axis about which the cam rotates is substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the at least one wing.
4. 4. The ventilation register of claim 1 wherein the at least one wing slides in a plane between the open and closed positions.
5. 5. The ventilation register of any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein the at least one 20 wing comprises two wings. 9o
6. 6. The ventilation register of claim 5 wherein the biasing means is mounted between the wings.
7. 7. The ventilation register of claim 5 or claim 6 wherein the operating means is located between the two wings.
8. 8. The ventilation register of any one of claims 5 to 7 when dependent on claim 2 or 3 wherein the wings are rotatable about parallel axes. 9007.doc 7
9. 9. The ventilation register of any one of claims 1 to 8 wherein the or each wing includes a bearing surface against which the cam bears. The ventilation register of claim 9 wherein the or each bearing surface lies in a substantially linear plane. 11. The ventilation register of any one of claims 1 to 10 wherein the cam includes at least one first cam surface which bears on the or each respective wing in the open position and at least one second cam surface which bears on the or each respective wing in the closed position. 12. The ventilation register of claim 11 wherein at least one of the first and second surfaces extend in respective linear planes. 13. The ventilation register of claim 11 or claim 12 wherein all the surfaces extend in respective linear planes. 14. The ventilation register of any one of claims 1 to 13 wherein the cam rotates about 900 to cause the at least one wing to move between the open and closed positions. A ventilation register, substantially as herein described with reference to the *drawings. ol ~Dated this 12th day of October, 2000 20 EDMONDS PRODUCTS AUSTRALIA PTY LIMITED .o By its Patent Attorneys CHRYSILIOU LAW