EP1045211A2

EP1045211A2 - Linear air-diffuser

Info

Publication number: EP1045211A2
Application number: EP00201300A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Lorenzo c/o Airplast S.a.s. Canzian
Original assignee: Airplast Sas Di Canzian L & C
Current assignee: Airplast Sas Di Canzian L & C
Priority date: 1999-04-12
Filing date: 2000-04-11
Publication date: 2000-10-18
Also published as: ITPN990036A1; IT1311218B1; ITPN990036A0; EP1045211A3

Abstract

Air-diffuser ( D ) of linear type constituted by : a shaped piece (1) suitable to form the outer casing of the same diffuser ( D) , an airflow controller ( 2 ) formed by a cylindrical body ( 20 ) which is crossed by a longitudinal slit ( 21 ) and a diaphragmatic element ( 3 ) suitable to removably connect two lengths of the shaped piece ( 1 ) and to support an end of the airflow controller ( 2 ). The sides of the diaphragmatic element ( 3 ) are provided with shaped parts ( 37 - 38) which are complementary to a shaped part ( 13 ) of the shaped piece ( 1 ). Inserting groups of diaphragmatic elements ( 3 ) disposed at the ends of respective airflow controllers ( 2 ) in two equal lengths of the shaped piece ( 1 ) which are arranged in specular and mutually opposite positions allows to obtain portions of diffusion. Said portions of diffusion are mutually interconnectable at their ends by inserting the portions of the shaped piece (1) , which are protruding from the diaphragmatic element ( 3 ) that is disposed at the end of one of said portions of diffusion, in the body of the diaphragmatic element ( 3 ) protruding from the end of another of said portions of diffusion.

Description

The present invention relates to an air-diffuser of linear type having the adjusting elements formed, in a well known manner, by cylinders longitudinally crossed by a suitable slit. The ends of said adjusting elements are supported by respective transversal elements which are shaped in such a way as to be connected , in the meantime on their sides, to two shaped pieces extending for the desired length.
Said two shaped pieces occupy specular positions on the sides of the transversal supporting elements and form a containing box which has its upper portion connected with the space from which comes the air.
The air-diffusers, called "linear", are already well-known and widely used.
Such devices are usually applied to the ceiling, or rather, to the false structure covering the ceiling of the room and they release the previously treated air through a linear slit made in a longitudinal hollow body.
The longitudinal hollow body is equipped with a plurality of suitable elements for adjusting the rate and controlling the direction of the airflow.
At the present time the most widely used solutions comprise two "L" shaped pieces which are symmetrically arranged in mutually opposite positions and suitably spaced in such a way as to form ,with their vertical wings, a conduit for the airflow and , with their horizontal wings which are turned outwards, respective frames which, in the application, abut on the opposite surface of the structure covering the ceiling of the room. The frames can also be fixed to the false ceiling of the room by means of well-known fixing devices.
Moreover, the lower ends of the vertical wings are shaped as longitudinal hollow grooves which are extending according to an arc of circumference. During the assembling operations, the longitudinal hollow grooves are arranged in mutually opposite positions in such a way as to form guides in which can be inserted the cylindrical elements for adjusting the rate and controlling the direction of the emitted airflow.
Normally, the shaped pieces used in the above-mentioned solutions are assembled by means of suitable spacers which are interpositioned between the upper portions of their vertical wings and are so shaped as to produce the exact interspace.
Said spacers are mutually fixed by means of suitable devices , namely screws, bolts, nuts, ecc. and are applied, at suitable intervals, to the shaped pieces forming the linear air-diffuser.
However, as it is also known, the usual method of assembling such kind of air-diffusers comprises the steps of: forming basic groups having defined length and which are connected one to the other end-to-end for giving the desired final length of the air-diffuser.
Usually, such basic groups have modular lengths which are multiple of the lengths of the elements for adjusting the rate and controlling the direction of the emitted airflow.
In practice, it is usual to made groups having 1 or 1,5 metres in length.
For making pieces which are longer than the above-mentioned linear measure it is necessary to use a plurality of groups connected at their respective ends by means of various sistems as anchor plates or the like .
Such anchor plates or similar elements are inserted into the corresponding ends of the grooves realized on the outer surfaces of the pieces to be joined together and fixed by means of screws or other suitable elements.
Clearly, it is apparent that the construction of the above-described known solutions is considerably complicated and expensive because it needs various means and elements for positioning and fixing the shaped pieces used for constituting the basic group having modular length, as well as for joining together a plurality of basic groups.
The known solutions require various tools and means as drills, screws ecc. as well as various working operations which involve high working times and skilled workers.
It is the aim of the present invention to overcome the above stated drawbacks by providing the air-diffuser which is the object of the present invention.
In order to better understand the features and the advantages attainable by the air-diffuser forming the object of the present invention, this air-diffuser is hereinafter described, by way of a not limitative example only ,and with reference to the accompanying drawing, wherein:

the Figure 1 is a view of a portion of the linear air-diffuser according to a section taken along its axially vertical plane;
the Fig. 2 is a view made according to a section taken along line I - I of Fig. 1 and shows the shape and the mutual connection of the essential elements of the air-diffuser forming the object of the present invention;
the Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a portion of the same air-diffuser.

Referring now to such Figures, in which the common items are marked with the same reference numerals, it is to be noticed that the air-diffuser D forming the object of the present invention is constituted by only three elements and precisely: a suitably shaped piece 1 forming the sides of a basic group of the air-diffuser D, an airflow controller 2 of known type and a diaphragmatic element 3 which is shaped in such a way as to transversally connect, as hereinafter described, two shaped pieces 1 forming the sides of the air-diffuser D as well as to support an end of a respective airflow controller 2.
After the listing of the essential components of the air-diffuser D, it is now described their particular shape and successively it will be described their practical connection and utilization.
As it can be seen from the above-mentioned figures and with particular reference to figures 2 and 3 , said diaphragmatic element 3 is essentially constituted by a thickened plate 31.
The thickened plate 31 is extending between the upper edge 311 and the lower edge 312 which are parallel to each other and spaced from each other by a distance which corresponds to around the width of the air-diffuser D resulting from the space between the outer surfaces of the central wings 11 of the lateral shaped pieces 1.
A shaped and thickened strip, having a width of at least 1 cm., departs orthogonally from a surface of said plate 31 and follows the contour of its two side.
More precisely, the lower portion of said strip produces, symmetrically to the vertical axis Y-Y ( see Figure 2), two short curved portions 32 which are delimiting an inner circular seating 33 (see Figures 1 and 3). The seating 33 serves to receive an end of the cylindrical body of an airflow controller 2.
The lower ends of said short curved portions 32 terminate in the plane delimiting the lower edge 312 which is spaced from the centre O of said circular seating 33 (see Figure 2) by a distance which corresponds to around ¼ of the diameter of the circular seating 33.
The upper ends of said short curved portions 32 are symmetrically positioned with respect to the vertical axis Y-Y as well as mutually spaced by a distance which corresponds to around ½ of the diameter of the circular seating 33.
Rectilinear portions 34 depart from the upper ends of said curved portions 32 and are symmetrically divergent towards the upper edge 311.
Short connecting portions 35, 36, which are departing respectively from the lower ends of said curved portions 32 and from the upper ends of the rectilinear portions 34 of said shaped strip, extend outwards and have their respective outer surfaces positioned in alignement with the respective lower edge 312 and upper edge 311.
The outer ends of said connecting portions 35, 36 are equidistant from the vertical axis Y-Y.
Lower and upper lateral portions 37 , 38 are orthogonally departing from each outer ends of said short connecting portions 35, 36 and are turned towards the opposite edge. Said lower and upper lateral portions 37, 38 are aligned to each other and are practically forming side portions of the rectangular body of said diaphragmatic element 3.
The free ends of said lower and upper lateral portions 37 , 38 will remain spaced to each other (see Figures 2 and 3) for the reasons which will better emerge during the course of the description.
With particular reference to the Figures 2 and 3 it is to be noticed that the shaped piece 1 , that will form the sides of the air-diffuser as it will be hereinafter described, is constituted by a substantially "T" shaped element .
The "T" shaped element comprises a central wing 11 which has an end terminating in a transversal wing 12 which is orthogonal relative to the central wing.
On one side, the transversal wing 12 presents a first portion 121 which is able to form a lateral application frame. On the other side, the transversal wing 12 presents a second portion 122. During the assembling operations of the shaped piece 1 on the diaphragmatic element 3, the end of the second portion 122 will be connected and joined to the lower end of a respective curved portion 32 in such a way as to prosecute its curvature.
Moreover, the central wing 11 is provided with a "T" shaped connecting portion 13 positioned on the same side from which is departing said second portion 122.
The connecting portion 13 removably connects the respective shaped piece 1 with a side of a diaphragmatic element 3.
More precisely, as it can be seen from the Figures 2 and 3, a connecting body 131 is departing from the above-mentioned side of the central wing 11 and at the position of the free part resulting between the ends of the elements forming said lower and upper lateral portions 37, 38 of the diaphragmatic element 3.
The connecting body 131 presents the same thickness of said connecting portions 35, 36 and its width equals the distance between their free ends.
Finally, such connecting body 131 is connected to a plane section 132 which is parallel to the adjacent central wing 11 and projects from its longitudinal edges by means of suitable portions.
Incidentally, it is to be pointed out that an "L" shaped groove 14 can be made in said connecting body 131. The groove 14 will penetrate into the connecting body 131 at an opposite surface to said connecting portion 13 , that is the surface turned outwards during the assembling operations.
Such groove 14 allows the assembler easily and quickly to obtain the coupling of two sheets 4 having their ends shaped in a complementary way with respect to the upper contour of the groove 14. The sheets 4 are forming corresponding lateral walls 4 of an air-conduit section (see Figure 2).
Finally, said airflow controller 2 is constituted, in a per se known manner, by a cylindrical body 20 which is crossed by a longitudinal slit 21.
The longitudinal slit 21 presents a width that is equal to around half diameter of the cylindrical body 20. Clearly, such longitudinal slit 21 generates two lateral shells 22 which are connected to each other, at regular intervals along the slit 21, by means of suitable transversal walls 23.
After the description of the constituting elements , it is now described the assembling procedure as well as the utilization of the air-diffuser forming the object of the present invention.
First, a pair of shaped pieces 1 are cut into pieces of a length which is multiple of the length including two couples of diaphragmatic elements between them has been inserted a respective airflow controller 2.
At this point, two shaped pieces 1 are inserted into the sides of a first diaphragmatic element 3 . Said shaped pieces 1 are arranged in specular and mutually opposite positions in such a way as to insert the respective lower and upper lateral portions 37, 38 into the corresponding cavities which are comprised between the central wing 11 of each shaped piece 1 and the portions of the adjacent plane section 132 which are protruding from the longitudinal edges of the body 131 that is joining said plane section 132 to the respective central wing 11.
In the meantime, the portions 122 of the respective transversal wings 12 slide near to the lower edge 312 of said first diaphragmatic element 3.
The insertion continues for a linear measure that is fairly longer than the length of an airflow controller 2.
At this point, the assembler inserts an end of a first airflow controller 2 into the circular seating 33 of such first diaphragmatic element 3.
Finally, the assembler inserts a second diaphragmatic element 3 between the pair of shaped pieces 1. The second diaphragmatic element 3 is arranged in the opposite direction with respect to that of the previous diaphragmatic element.
The second diaphragmatic element 3 pushes the previous diaphragmatic element towards the first inserted airflow controller 2 in such a way as to fit its other end in the circular seating 33 of said second diaphragmatic element 3.
The insertion of groups constituted , in the same way, by an airflow controller interpositioned between a pair of diaphragmatic element 3 will continue to the length of a first modular portion of the air-diffuser.
The coupling of a plurality of so preassembled modular portions involves arranging the lateral pieces 1 in such a way as to insert one of its end in the respective diaphragmatic element 3 to the length equal to the half thickness of the same diaphragmatic element 3.
The other ends of the lateral pieces 1 protrude from the corresponding opposite diaphragmatic element 3 that is resulting in the corresponding end with respective free portions which are extending for a length equal to the half thickness of a diaphragmatic element 3.
Therefore, it will be possible to interconnect several modular portions by inserting the free portions of the pieces 1, which are protruding from an end of a first modular portion, in the part of the diaphragmatic element 3 which is protruding from the end of a second modular portion and so on to the desired length.
It will be apparent that the above-described coupling affords the considerable advantage to perform, in simple and quick way, the secure connection of two parts avoiding the use of tools and fixing means as screws or the like.
A coupling performed in the above-described way is clearly shown in the Figure 1 where it is marked with the reference A.
As explained in the previous part of the description, the portions 121 protrude from the shaped piece 1 and are capable to form a suitable frame which is surrounding the body of the air-diffuser. Such frame is suitable to engage the wall P of a false ceiling or to be applied to other suitable application structure.
It is obvious that, in particular cases, such frame can be fixed to the wall P of the application structure by known systems and means.
Incidentally, it is to be pointed out that the adjusting of the emitted airflow rate as well as the controlling of the emitted airflow direction will be made, in a known traditional way, by revolving said airflow controller 2.
From what stated and described it is clear that the system for forming the linear air-diffuser D according to the present invention presents a structural simplicity and affords the considerable advantage to perform the assembling operations in a simple and quick way. Moreover,the system for forming the linear air-diffuser D according to the present invention does not need tools , particular connecting means , skilled workers and, therefore , it results very inexpensive.
Finally, the general structure is at least safe and secure as the known structures and perhaps more.
It is well understood that modifications and variations may be made to the shape and to the size of the elements which are constituting the air-diffuser forming the object of the present invention without departing however from the scope defined by the following claims with reference to the accompanying drawings and thence from the protection extent of the present industrial invention.

Claims

Linear Air-diffuser applicable in particular to false ceilings and/or suitable conduits, for emitting continuous lines of suitably treated air in a respective room, the air-emission being suitably adjustable in the rate and changeable in the direction, such air-diffuser ( D ) being characterized to be constituted by only three elements and precisely: a shaped piece ( 1 ) suitable to form the outer housing of the same linear air-diffuser ( D ), an airflow controller ( 2 ) of known type and a diaphragmatic element ( 3 ) suitable to removably connect two equal lengths of said shaped piece ( 1 ) which are mutually arranged in specular positions and are form the lateral and lower walls of a corresponding linear portion of diffusion, such diaphragmatic element ( 3 ) is meanwhile suitable to support an end of the cylindrical body ( 20) of an airflow controller ( 2 ); the application of a plurality of diaphragmatic elements ( 3 ) along the linear portion of diffusion which is formed by the two lengths of said piece ( 1 ), where said elements ( 3 ) are each positioned at the ends of respective airflow controllers ( 2 ), permits to form a respective basic modul having a length which is suitably multiple of the distance between two pair of diaphragmatic elements ( 3 ) positioned at the ends of a respective airflow controller ( 2 ), the sides of such diaphragmatic element ( 3 ) are provided with shaped parts ( 37 - 38 ) which are complementary to a corresponding shaped parts ( 13 ) made in the shaped piece ( 1 ) thus allowing a mutual and removable fixing.
Diffuser according to the claim 1 characterized in that said shaped piece ( 1 ) being essentially constituted by a longitudinal and substantially "T" shaped element comprising a central wing ( 11 ) which has an end terminating in a transversal wing ( 12 ) which is orthogonal relative to the previous wing ( 11 ), such transversal wing 12 presents, on one side, a first portion ( 121 ) which is able to form a lateral frame for applicating the linear air-diffuser ( D ) to a wall ( P ) of a false ceiling or the like and, on the other side, the transversal wing 12 presents a second portion ( 122) which has an end terminating in proximity of the axially vertical plane ( Y-Y ) thus allowing, during the final assembling of two lengths of the shaped piece ( 1 ) arranged in specular and mutually opposite positions , to generate a respective longitudinal opening between the suitably spaced ends of their second portions ( 122 ), said opening serves for emitting the air coming from the overstanding airflow controller ( 2 ) and is at least equivalent to the longitudinal slit ( 21 ) made in the airflow controller ( 2 ), moreover, the central wing ( 11 ) of said shaped piece ( 1 ) being provided with a suitably shaped portion ( 13 ) made on its surface turned towards the same side from which is departing said second portion ( 122 ) of the respective transversal wing ( 12 ), said shaped portion ( 13 ) is complementary to corresponding shaped portions ( 37 - 38 ) made on the lateral sides of the diaphragmatic element ( 3 ) thus allowing the mutual insertion and the sliding fit of the two lengths of the shaped piece ( 1 ) on the sides of respective diaphragmatic elements ( 3 ).
Diffuser according to the claim 1 , characterized in that said airflow controller is essentially constituted by a cylindrical body ( 20 ) which is crossed by a longitudinal slit ( 21 ) generating two lateral shells ( 22 ) which are connected to each other, at their ends and at regular intervals along the slit ( 21) , by means of suitable transversal walls ( 23 ).
Diffuser according to the claim 1 , characterized in that said diaphragmatic element ( 3 ) is essentially constituted by a plate ( 31 ) presenting two curved portions ( 32 ) that are departing outwards and orthogonally from a surface of said plate ( 31 ) and in proximity of its lower part and that are symmetrically and laterally positioned with respect to the vertical axis Y-Y of the same plate ( 31 ) , the ends of said short curved portions ( 32) are mutually spaced by a distance which corresponds at least to around half of the inner diameter of the circular seating ( 33 ) delimited by them, an end of an airflow controller ( 2 ) can be inserted in said circular seating ( 33 ) and is supported in such a way as to freely revolve in the same seating ( 33 ), the lateral sides of said plate ( 31 ) being provided with shaped parts ( 37 - 38 ) which are complementary to the corresponding shaped parts ( 13 ) made in the central wing ( 11 ) of the shaped piece ( 1 ) thus allowing the mutual insertion and the sliding fit of the two lengths of the shaped piece ( 1 ) in the sides of respective diaphragmatic elements ( 3 ).
On behalf AIRPLAST S.a.s. of Canzian L. & C.