AU750556B2

AU750556B2 - An outlet boot

Info

Publication number: AU750556B2
Application number: AU83173/98A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Victor John Smith
Original assignee: NORDIN ENGINEERED AIR TECHNOLO
Current assignee: NORDIN ENGINEERED AIR TECHNOLOGIES Pty Ltd
Priority date: 1997-09-30
Filing date: 1998-09-08
Publication date: 2002-07-25
Anticipated expiration: 2018-09-08
Also published as: AU8317398A

Description

OUR REF 1240 P/00/009 Regulation 3.2

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT

ORIGINAL

o..

TO BE COMPLETED BY APPLICANT Name of Applicant: NORDIN ENGINEERED AIR TECHNOLOGIES PTY LTD Actual Inventor: VICTOR JOHN SMITH Address for Service: A.P.T. Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys GPO Box 772, Adelaide, SA 5001 Invention Title: AN OUTLET BOOT Details of Associated Provisional Application No.

PO9553 DATED 30TH SEPTEMBER 1997 The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to us:- 05/06/2002 15:16 +61-8-82723255 APT PAGE 05/15 27/03/2002 15:07 +61-8-841050d2 4 PT PaG 07 +618~4O54 2 The invention herein relates to a boot for an air conditioning outlct, Air conditioning systems typically involve an air conditioning plant and ducting leading therefrom to a plurality of outlets. The ducin~g is typically located in wall or ceiling spaces of a building. The outlets typically are mounted in wall or ceiling panels.

The air within wall or ceiling spaces is generally in communication with air outside the building. As such it may be warmer or cooler than the air within the ducting and passing through the outlets. Therefore, the temnperature of the air within the ducting or outlets may be effected by the air in the wall or ceiling space.

Further, especially in tropical climates, the air within the wall or ceiling spaces due to its communication with that outside the building may be, very humid. When the termperature within the ducting and outlers is cooler than that within the ceiling orT wall spaces, typical of such climatcs, condensation can form on the surfaces of ducting or the rear surfaces of outlets. Outlets are typically manufactured of metal or plastic and so can be subject to condenisation. Condensation can lead to water damage to the building.

15 In some cases this damage can be very significant and expensive to repair Insulation for ducting or ducting incorporating insulation is known. However, for the outlet there is5 no simple, fast and effective means known to the inventor of providing insulation for outlets. Previously, insulating material has been wrapped about and over an outlet and held In place with adhesive tape. This, in a wall or ceiling space, is a time 20 consuming process and may be difficult to achieve an effective cover due to the cramped working conditions. Therefore, there is an inherent cost With such an Iiapproposed object of this invention to provide a boot to obviate or nininise at least of the aforementioned problems, or at least provide the public with a useful choice.

The invention may be said to reside, not necessarily in the broadest or only form, in a boot for the rear side of art airconditioning outlet, the air conditioning outlet having a rear side and a front side, the front side for egr ess of air ito a space and the rear side shaped for conncction to a ducting body from a conditioned air source the booc including 310 a thermally insulating body including a first end and a second end; a passageway between a first end and a second end the passagg-eway shaped to receive the rear side of the outlet; 4-v RFro~PCRIVFD TIMR?7 MAR 16:39 FR INT T IME27, MAR. 16:4 7 05/06 '02 WED 15:42 [TX/RX NO 7894] 05/06/2002 15:16 +61-8-62723255 APT PAGE 06/15 27/03/2002 15:07 +61-8-94105042 a PT PAU~L Idlv +61 8.84 105042 3 it first portion of the boot toward the first end of the body adapted to be secured to and around the rear side of the outlet at a ducting joining potion of an outlet.; a second portion toward the second end of the body; and, a resilient third portion between the first and second portions, the third portion being adapted to bias the second portion away from the first portion; and, the boot being adapted to be fitted second end first over and about the external rear of an outlet mounted within a panel with the passageway accommodating the outlet, the first portion being secured to the outlet and the second portion being biased by the third portion to bear against the rear side of the panel aboat the outlet or to bear against the rear of the outlet proximal to the rear side of the panel.

In this mtanner the flow of air about the rea~r surfaces of an outlet can be mintirnised.

By fitting the boot to the rear of an outlet, the outlet is substantially covered and insulated from the air within a wall of ceiling space. Typically, insulation of the ducting or that applicd about the join between ducting and outlet-will cover surfaces of 15 the outlet not covered by the boot. With the surfaces of 1he outlet insulated, the occurrence of condensation is reduced or substantially eliminated.

Securing the first portion to an outlet provides a fixture to resist movemnent of the boot due tO the second portion bearing against a rear side of a panel about the outlet or the rear of the outlet proximal to the rear side of the pane. Thus, in use, the boot is compressed to some degree.

In a preferfed form, the boot is one wherein the second portion is a flange projecting form the body substantially radial to the axis of the passageway at the second end.

According to a preferred form, the second portion is resilient and elastomneric and adapted, when in use, to substantially conform about irregularities of the rear side of the panel or the rear of the outlet proximdal to the rear side of the panel.

By urging the second portion, by the biasing due to the third portion, against the revr side of a panel in which the outlet -is mounted, and assisted by the flexible and resilient nature of the elastomeric second portion, a seat is formed about the outlet, This seal restricts air flow from the wall or ceiling space to being directly proximal to rear the surfaces of the outlet and hence reduces or substantially eliminates the risk of condensation and thus resultant water damage.

In a preferred form, the boot is one wherein the third portion is made of an elastorner.

-n 0PFflRIVRDYTlMF.7 MAR IR-'q PRNT TIMM2 MAR ~4 05/06 '02 WED 15:42 [TX/RX NO 7894] 05/06/2002 15:16 +61-8-82723255 APT PAGE 07/15 27/03/2002 15:07 +61-8-841050d2 AAPT PAUL11W /216 +61 8 -841050.42 4 According to a preferred form, the boot is one wherein the first portion is a band about the body and axial to the axis of the passageway, the band is resilient and elastorneric and adapted, when in uie, to be forced over the outlet against the resilienty of the first portion to grip and thereby secure the body to the outlet In a preferred form, the first portion is adapted, when in use on an outlet having a tapered tail, to be forced over the Eail against the resiliency of the first portion to grip and thereby secure the body to the outlet. In this ruarnr, the boot can grip and secure to an outlet without the need for a separate fastening means such as a large diameter hose clamnp or cable tie.

In one preferred form the boot is one wherein the body is or substantially wholly manufactured of a resilient and elastomeric material. This permits relatively simple manufacture. In a preferred form the boot boors is mnoulded. Further, in another preferred form, the boot is made of polyurethane.

Accordingto a preferred form, the boot is one wherein the body includes a. leastoe fourth portion between the first and second portions projecting, relative to the axis of 15 the passageway, radially and axially along from the body thereby forming an internal recess in communication with the passageway, rhe fourth portion or portions being adapted to stiffen the resiliency of the third Portion and further, when in use with an outlet having a peripheral projecting fixing means, to accommodate and cover the a fixing means.

As will be appreciated, the fourth portions not only provide recesses for fastening means such as clips but also the axial sides provide stiffening for the third portioa. This permits the boot to be made of a very flexible elastomeric material than would otherwise be desirable. The second portion is advantageously very flexible and so form a conforming -seal with the rear side of a panel with the fourth portions stiffening the third poinion to ensure desirable biasing of the second poniion.

In a preferred form, the boot is one wherein the body is shaped to substantially conformn to the external rear of an outlet and thereby -closely fit about tie outlet. -in this ,manner the air space about the rear external surf'aces of an outlet are rmnfirnised and so) an insulating air space can be formed.

The boot, in a prefexed fromn, in one wherein the second portion is adapted, when in use, to bare against (he rear' side of the panel about the outlet. By having the outlet covered by the boot rear outlet surfaces are coveted. However, should it be desired the second portion can bare against the a rear surface of the outlet proximal to the rear side of the panel. In this case the exposed surface of the outlet is limited and reduced thus resultant condensation is reduced.

~~RRIVU TiMF)7 MAR 16:3q PR[NT TIME?? MAR. IS:47 05/06 '02 WED 15:42 [TX/RX NO 7894] 05/06/2002 15:16 +61-8-82723255 APT PAGE 08/15 27/03/2002 15:07 +61-8-841058d2 &APT PAGE 10/20 +6 8 -84 105 04 2 TO assist, in the understanding of the invention preferred embodiments will now be described with reference to the accompaunying drawings: Figure 1 is a set of sketches showing different views of a first preferred embodiment; Figure 2 is a sketch of a cross sCeional view of an outlet mounted in a panel suitable with which the first embodiment can be used; Figure 3 is a sketch of a cross sectional view similar to Figure 2 showing the boot in place; Figure 4 is a set of sketches showing different views of a second preferred embodiment; :Figure 5 is a sketch showing a perspective view of an outlet with which the second embodiment can be used; and, Figure 6 is a set of sketches showing different views of the outlet oo -oillustrated in Figure Referring to the drawings. In figure I the views of the first embodimentL are: top view side view, rear perspective view, and front perspective view. The rear view is the view as seen from the ducting or ceiling or wall space, and the front view is the view as seen from the outlet.

In broad terms the first embodiment is a boot for the rear side of a circular outlet, The boot has a body with a passageway there through, The body has a first end and a second end Towards the first end, in this case substantially at the first end, there is a first portion There is a second portion toward the second end of the body, in this case substantially at the second end. Between the first and second portions is a resilient third portion The boot is fitted, second end first, over and about the external rear of an outlet mounted within a panel. The passageway accommodates &he outlet. The first portion is adapted to be secured to the outlet. The second portion is biased by the third portion to bare against the rear side of the panel about the outlet or to bare against the rear of the outlet proximal to the rear side of the panel.

In Ehe first embodiment, the boot is made from a sheet of polyurethane which is a flexible elastorneric material which is moulded to the shape illustrated in figure 1.

The first portion is a band about the body at the first end and the passageway diameter STat the first end is slightly smaller than the diameter of a tapered tail of an outlet 0.O~ nrr~i;rr\ mntrm~' HAD IC.'n DDTMT'r TW71v7 HAD IR-Ar7 05/06 '02 WED 15:42 [TX/RX NO 7894] 05/06/2002 15:16 +61-8-82723255 APT PAGE 09/15 27/03/2002 15:07 +61-8-84185842 APT PAGE 11/20 6 as illustrated in figures 2 and 3. The tapeJred tail is a portion of the outlet for joining ducting. Due to the material the boot is made of and the sizing of the passageway at the first end, the boot can be pushed onto the tail of the outlet until it securely grips the tadl.

The boot also has fourth portions (one shown as 11) which project from the body. Each forms a recess (one shown as 12). There are sufficient fourth portions to accommodate the fastening clips (one shown as 13) of the outlet. The fourth portions project axially from (he body, with respect to the axis of the passageway, and along the body towards the second end. The axial sides of thie fourth portions (such as 14) provides stiffening to the third portion.

When the boot is fitted to the outlet mounted in a panel (15) cte boot is slightly compressed. The first portion grips the tail resisting'thc resiliency of the body. Thus the second portion, big a flange with a broad flat radial surface (16) is urged by the compressive force duo principally the third portion to substantially form a conforming seal against tbe'rear side (17) of the panel. Thus there are seals substantially formed out 15 the outlet at the substantially either end. The remainder of the tail not covered by the boot is typically covered by-thc ducting, adhesive rape, packing or a combination of those.

The second embodiment is simnilar to the first embodiment excepting that itlls intended to be used with a rectilinear outlet as illustrated in figures 5 anid 6. In figure 5 the views of the first embodiment are: top view side view, rear view, and front perspective view. Figure 6 illustrates such an outlet in two views: side view, and rear view as seen from within wall or ceiling space. Eixcepting the shape, the boot functions the samne as that of the firsE em1bodimnent. It is made of the samne material and process. For saike of brevity and avoidance of repetition, the second embodiment will not be described in detail. The figures 4, 5 and 6 include reference numerals the same as those used in figures 1, 2 and 3 refrring to like parts of the first embodiment.

It will be appreciated that this disclosure is not intended to limit the invention to preferred emibodiments or details thereof.

0PR.IMF TIM777-MAR 1S-1q PRINT TIMR77 MAR H-4~7 05/06 '02 WED 15:42 [TX/RX NO 78941

Claims

2. A boot as in Claim I wherein the second portion is a flange projectin.- from the body substantially radial to the axis of the passageway a[ the second end.
3. A boot as in either Claim I or Claim 2 wherein the second portion is, resilient and elastomeric and adapted, when in use, to substantially conform about irregulavities of the rear side of the panel or the rear of the outlet proximal to the rear side of the panel.
4. A boot as in any one of the preceding claims whereini the third porlion. is made of an elastomer. A boot as in any one of the preceding claims wherein the first portion is a band about the body and axial to the axis of the passageway, (he band is resilient and elasEoreric and adapted, when in use, to be forced over the outlet against the resiliency of the first portion to grip and thereby secure the body to the outlet. ~sT 0 RUc.EVU TIMR27 MAR ig:39 PRINr TlME27. MAR, 16:47 05/06 '02 WED 15:42 [TX/RX NO 7894] 05/06/2002 15:16 +61-8-82723255 APT PAGE 11/15 27/03/2002 16:07 461-8-84185042 1 APT PAGE 1l/4M 61 8 .84 105 04 2
6. A boot as in any one of the preceding claims wherein the first portion is resilient and elastomeric and is adapted, when in use on an outlet having a tapered tail, to be forced over the tail against the resiliency of the first portion to grip and thereby secure the body to the outlet.
7. A boot as in any one of the preceding claimrs wherein the boot is one wherein thle body is or substantially wholly m~anufactured of a resilient and elastorneric Material.
8. A boot as in any one of the preceding claims wherein the boot is moulded.
9. A boot as in any one of the preceding claims wherein the boot is made of polyurethane,
10. A boot as in any one of the preceding claims wherein the body includes at leaqt one fownth porrion between the first and second portions projecting, relative to (he axis .of the passageway, radially and axially along from the body thereby formring an internal **recess in communication with the passageway, the fourth portion or portions being o:.eo:adapted to stiffen the resiliency of the third portion and further, when in uso with an :000* 15 outlet having a peripheral projecting fixing means, to accommodate and cover the 0 fixing means. 11, A boot aq in any one of the preceding claims wherein the boot is one: wherein the body is shaped to substantially conform to the external rear of an outlet and thereby closely fit about the outlet. 20 12, A boot as in any one of the preceding claims wherein the second portion is adapted, when in use, to bear against the rear side of the panel about the outlet. 0 0
13. A boot as in an~y one of the preceding claims wherein the second portion is adapced, when in use, to bear against a rear surface of the outlet proximal to the, roar side of the panel.
14. A boot substantially as disclosed herein with reference to the accompanying drawings. Dated this 27th day of March 2002 NORDIN ENGINEERED AIR TECHNOLOGIES PTY LTD By its Patent Attorneys A. P. T. Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys RECEiVED TIMF27A AR. 16:39 PR 1NT T IME27. MAR, 15: 47 05/06 '02 WED 15: 42 [TX/RX NO 7894]