GB2411464A

GB2411464A - An elongate diffuser comprising a releasably engaged air deflection means

Info

Publication number: GB2411464A
Application number: GB0403567A
Authority: GB
Inventors: William Greenwood
Original assignee: GILBERTS
Current assignee: GILBERTS
Priority date: 2004-02-18
Filing date: 2004-02-18
Publication date: 2005-08-31
Anticipated expiration: 2024-02-18
Also published as: GB2411464B; GB0403567D0

Abstract

A diffuser 2 comprises a housing 4 which includes an air flow passageway 9 having an air outlet opening via which air exits the diffuser 2, and a support means 18 pivotably mounting an air deflection means (blade) 6 in the air flow passageway 9, wherein the air deflection means 6 is arranged to be releasably engaged with the support means 18 by moving said air deflection means 6 from a position outside said diffuser, and into said air flow passageway 9 via said air outlet opening. The air deflection 6 means may be at least partially resilient. The mounting between the support means 18 and deflection means 6 may comprise a male element 38 and a female element (42, figure 10) where either of the elements is elongate. The female element (42, figure 10) may have a part circular internal cross-section which pivotally engages the male element 38. The support means 18 may comprise a number of identical axially aligned elements to support an elongate air deflection means 6. The air deflection means 6 may be an extrusion. The support means 18 may comprise a plurality of support struts extending transversely to the elongate extent of the diffuser 2, each strut 18 featuring a mounting element 38. A number of diffusers 2 may be provided that feature end to end joining means (100, 104, fig. 7).

Description

J 241 1464 Diffuser This invention relates to a diffuser and,

particularly, although not exclusively, relates to an elongate ceiling diffuser, for example a linear slot diffuser.

A linear slot diffuser is known from GB2304181A. However, the diffuser described is relatively expensive to manufacture and lacks versatility in some respects.

It is an object of the present invention to address problems associated with diffusers.

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a diffuser comprising: a housing which includes an air flow passageway having an air outlet opening via which air exits the diffuser; and a support means pivotably mounting an air deflection means in the air flow passageway; wherein said support means is arranged to be releasably engaged with said air deflection means by moving said air deflection means from a position outside said diffuser, and into said air flow passageway via said air outlet opening.

Said air deflection means preferably includes first securement means by means of which it is releasably secured to the support means. Said first securement means is preferably resilient. It is preferably arranged to resiliently engage the support means for securing it thereto. Said first securement means is preferably made out of a plastics material. Said first securement means may be arranged to snap engage the support means.

Said air deflection means is preferably not releasably engaged with said support means by a pivot pin.

One of either said support means or air deflection means preferably comprises a male element which is arranged to engage a female element provided by the other one of either said support means or air deflection means. At least one of either said male or female elements is elongate. The elongate element may be substantially the same length or greater than the length of the air deflection means.

Said female element preferably has an open mouth via which the male element may pass for releasably engaging the male and female elements.

Said female element preferably has a part circular internal cross-section, in which the male element suitably engages and is pivotable therewithin. Said female element preferably has a part-circular cross-section which extends through an angle of greater than 180 and preferably less than 270 , more preferably less than 250 . Thus, the female element preferably has a substantially C-shaped cross-section. It suitably has opposing free ends between which the male element may pass to engage it. The free ends, at least, are preferably resiliently deformable, thereby to deform slightly as the male element passes therebetween and to relax when the male element is engaged to retain the male element in position.

Preferably, the support means includes a plurality of axially aligned male or female elements, thereby to define a means for supporting an elongate air deflection means at spaced apart positions. Preferably, the support means includes a plurality of the same elements (i.e. a plurality or preferably all are male; or all are female).

Elements associated with the support means may be short relative to the length of cooperable element or elements associated with the air deflection means. For example, elements associated with the support means may have a length (measured in the direction of the elongate extent of the diffuser) of less than 5 cm, suitably less than 2cm, preferably less than lam, more preferably less than 0.5cm, especially 2mm or less. Said support means preferably includes at least two, more preferably at least three male or female elements as described. On the other hand, a said male or female element associated with said air deflection means may have a length of at least 10cm.

Preferably, male or female elements associated with said air deflection means extend over at least 80%, more preferably at least 90% of the elongate extent of the air deflection means. In an especially preferred embodiment, said air deflection means includes a single male or female element which extends over substantially the entire elongate extent of the air deflection means.

Preferably, said air deflection means is made of plastics.

Preferably, said air deflection means, including said male or female element thereof, is formed by extrusion.

Preferably, said air deflection means includes one or more (preferably one) elongate female element as described.

Preferably, said support means comprises at least two, more preferably at least three male elements which are spaced apart in the elongate direction.

Said diffuser may include one to eight, (especially two or three) air deflection means which preferably extend parallel to one another.

Said air deflection means preferably includes air deflection vanes for directing the air flow. Said vanes are preferably arranged on opposite sides of a pivot axis of the air deflection means. Said vanes are preferably substantially diametrically opposed.

Said support means preferably comprises a plurality, preferably at least three, support struts. Said struts preferably extend transversely to the elongate extent of the diffuser (and preferably transversely to the elongate extent of the air deflection means). Each strut preferably includes a said male or female element for engaging the other one of a said female or male element associated with said air deflection means.

Said struts are preferably arranged to support at least one, preferably at least two, elongate air deflection means, preferably with the air deflection means extending substantially parallel to one another. To this end, each strut preferably includes at least one, more preferably at least two, male or female elements for engagement with l corresponding male or female elements associated with air deflection means as described above.

Said housing preferably include a plurality, preferably at least three, more preferably at least four, elongate support members which preferably extend substantially parallel to one another.

Said support means, for example struts thereof when provided, preferably extend transversely, more preferably substantially perpendicularly to the elongate support members. Said support means is preferably arranged to rigidly space apart the elongate support members. Said elongate support members are preferably shaped to define one or a plurality of air outlet openings. Said elongate support members are preferably arranged to define one or a plurality of said air flow passageways, preferably immediately upstream of the air outlet opening(s). Each air flow passageway is preferably elongate and preferably extends uninterrupted from one end to an opposite end of the diffuser. Each air flow passageway preferably has a quadrilateral, for example a square or rectangular cross- section.

Elongate support members of said housing are preferably extruded members, suitably with a substantially constant cross-section along their extent.

Said support means, for example struts thereof when provided, is/are preferably arranged to be secured to the housing, for example said elongate support members when provided, by a multiplicity of elongate fixing means, for example screws. Said fixing means are preferably arranged to extend through openings in the support means and be received in openings in the housing. The fixing means may be arranged to self-tap into openings in the housing (and this is preferred) or said openings in the housing may be threaded.

The maximum angle through which said air deflection means is/are pivotable is preferably less than 90 .

Said diffuser is preferably substantially linear. The ratio of the total length of the diffuser to its width is suitably at least 4, preferably at least 6, more preferably at least 10. The width of the diffused may be in the range 5 to 30cm, more preferably in the range 8 to 15cm. The length may be at least 30 cm, preferably at least 1 metre.

Preferably, said air deflection means overlies its position of securement to the support means along its entire extent so that substantially no part of said securement means is visible when the diffuser is arranged in a room, in normal use.

The diffuser may include clip means arranged to be secured to the housing to provide a means for pivotably mounting an end of the air deflection means. Said clip means may be arranged to be releasably secured within the housing (preferably with said elongate support members when provided) by moving such clip means from a position outside the diffuser, and into said air flow passageway via said air outlet opening.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided air conditioning apparatus comprising a diffuser according to the first aspect at an outlet end of an air flow passageway. The diffuser is preferably arranged above a floor and preferably towards, more preferably within, a ceiling or roof, for example of a room.

According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of assembling a diffuser of the first aspect which comprises moving an air deflection means of the diffuser from a position outside the diffuser and into an air flow passageway thereof via an air outlet opening thereof to engage a support means of the diffuser and pivotably mount the air deflection means thereon.

Preferably said diffuser is elongate and the method includes moving the air deflection means transversely to the elongate axis of the diffuser, preferably to enter an elongate air flow passageway thereof via an elongate air outlet opening thereof.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of controlling the flow of air into a room, suitably from a ceiling thereof, using a diffuser as described herein.

According to a fifth aspect of the invention, there is provided an assembly of first and second diffusers joined end to end by a joining means which comprises: a first opening in a part of the first diffuser; a second opening in a part of the second diffuser, said first and second openings being axially aligned; and a male securement element which includes a body (which may be serrated) which is arranged to be an interference fit in said first and second openings, whereby when said body has been inserted in said openings it is relatively difficult to remove.

Said body preferably includes teeth which are arranged to restrict withdrawal of the body from said first and second openings after insertion thereinto. During insertion, said teeth are preferably resiliently deformed to allow insertion.

Preferably, said first and second openings are provided adjacent respective ends of the diffuser and are aligned in a direction which is parallel to elongate axes of the first and second diffusers. Said body of said male securement element is preferably elongate and preferably has an elongate axis around which said teeth are arranged, wherein the axis of said body is aligned with the elongate axes of the first and second diffusers.

According to a sixth aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of joining first and second diffusers end to end which comprises: inserting a male securement element through a first opening in a first end of a first diffuser; aligning first and second ends of said diffusers; causing the male securement element to pass into the second opening in said diffuser to secure the diffusers together, wherein said male securement element is an interference fit in said second opening.

Any feature of any aspect of any invention or embodiment described herein may be combined with any feature of any aspect of any other invention or embodiment described herein mutatis mutandis.

Specific embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a first perspective view of a three slot linear slot diffuser showing primarily a face (hereinafter the "concealed face") which is concealed in use; Figure 2 is a second perspective view of a linear slot diffuser similar to that shown in figure 1, from an opposite end to that of Figure 1, showing the concealed face; Figure 3 is a plan view of an end portion of the diffuser showing the face (hereinafter "the show face") which faces into a room in use; Figure 4 is a side view of an end portion of the diffuser in the direction of arrow IV in figure 2; Figure 5 is a cross-section along line III-III of figure 3; Figure 6 is a plan view showing parts of concealed faces of two lengths of two-slot diffusers which are joined end to end; Figure 7 is a detailed view of the area enclosed in portion D of figure 6; Figure 8 is a side elevation of the two lengths of diffuser of figure 6; Figure 9 is a detailed view of the area enclosed in portion D of figure 8; Figure 10 a cross-section through a blade; Figure ll(a) is a front view of a partition plate; Figure ll(b) is an end elevation of the partition plate; Figure ll(c) is a plan view of the partition plate, Figure ll(d) is a perspective view of the partition plate; Figure ll(e) is a cross-section along line VI-VI of figure 11 (c); Figure 12 is a cross-section through a retainer bolt; Figure 13a is a perspective view of a transverse member; and Figure 13b is a top plan view of the transverse member.

A linear slot diffuser 2 for securement in a ceiling of a room comprises a housing 4 in which three elongate air deflector blades 6 are pivotably mounted and arranged to deflect air which is delivered into a plenum box 8 out of air flow passageways 9 of the housing in the direction of arrow 10.

The housing 4 comprises identical elongate extruded aluminium outer members 12 and identical extruded aluminium inner members 14. The members 12, 14 define outer walls 13, 15 of the diffuser which face into a room in use and include toothed upwardly facing elongate sockets 16 which are arranged to received self-tapping screws (not shown). The members 12, 14 are secured together at spaced apart positions by pressed steel transverse members 18 which extend perpendicularly to the elongate extent of the members 12, 14.

A detailed view of a transverse member 18 is shown in figures 5, 13a and lab. The member 18 includes feet 20 which abut horizontally extending ledges 22 defined by members 12, 14. The ledges 22 of the members 12 are turned upwardly to define tabs 23 which extend into corresponding openings in the transverse member 18. End tabs 24 fit snugly within inwardly facing slots 26 in members 12. At positions 30 of the transverse member 18, regions thereof are bent inwardly to define four tabs 31 which extend perpendicularly to member 18, in the direction of extent of members 12, 14. The tabs can be seen in figures 1, 2, 13a and 13b. The tabs 31 rest upon the upwardly facing walls of sockets 16 and include respective openings 17 aligned with sockets 16 through which self-tapping screws may be inserted to secure the member 18 in position.

With a plurality of transverse members 18 secured in position as described, members 12, 14 are rigidly spaced apart.

At the upper end, the transverse member 18 bends perpendicularly inwardly to define spaced apart support tabs 32 (figures 1, 13a and 13b) each of which includes three spaced apart circular openings.

As will be noted from figures 1, 2 and 5, some of the transverse members 18 include a sub-assembly 36 which is fixed thereto by engagement of screws in the openings in tabs 32. The sub-assembly 36 is used to pull the diffuser 2 up to the sides of plenum box 8.

Referring to figure 5, it will be noted that transverse member 18 includes three downwardly extending headimembers 38 arranged substantially centrally within air flow passageways 9. The head members 38 are arranged to releasably secure elongate plastics blades 6 in position.

Each blade 6 (Figure 10) includes an elongate socket 42 which is part circular in cross-section and extends through an angle of greater than 180 , and elongate air deflecting elements 44. Blades 6 are made from extruded plastics such that curved free edges 46 thereof are sufficiently resilient that the sockets 42 can be snap- engaged with heads 38. As will be appreciated, in the diffuser 2, each blade 6 is secured to a plurality of heads 38 at positions which are spaced apart in the elongate direction of the diffuser. When so disposed, the blades 6 are pivotable about heads 38 so that the direction of air exiting air flow passageways 9 can be adjusted.

Advantageously, the diffuser 2 is relatively easy to manufacture and assemble. In this regard, the members 12, 14 may be placed in a jigs the transverse members 18 may be engaged with the members 12, 14 and secured in position by self-tapping screws extending through the tabs at position 30 into sockets 16; and the blades 6 can be snap- engaged on heads 38.

As shown in figures 1 and 2, ends 50 of the diffuser 2 may be closed by end caps 52 which may engage the members 12, 14 in a manner analogous to engagement of the transverse members 18 with the members 12, 14 as described above.

It should be appreciated that a diffuser 2 may be relatively versatile in that it may be arranged in a number of configurations. For example, each blade 6 is independently adjustable. Furthermore, the ease of adjustment should be noted. In this regard, when the diffuser is assembled in a ceiling, an operator can simply insert a finger or other elongate member into an air flow passageway 9 and cause the blade to pivot to a desired position.

It is also possible to split a blade 6 in one of the air flow passageways 9 into two or more elongate blade portions and then to adjust the orientation of each blade portions independently. For example, referring to figure 3, a blade 6a may be cut into two blade portions along line 70. The cut ends of the blade portions can be supported in position using a partition plate 72 shown in figures ll(a) to (e). The partition plate is made out of UPVC plastics material and comprises a planar body 74 through which a tubular body 76 extends. With the blade portions removed from the housing and the diffuser in situ in a ceiling, the partition plate 72 can be inserted into an air flow passageway 9 so shoulders 78 of plate 72 abut outer walls of elongate sockets 16, and side walls 80 of plate 72 abut members 12 and/or 14 as appropriate. The plate 72 does not need to be fixed in position as its resilient and that of members 12 and/or 14 is sufficient to retain it. When in position, the axis of tubular body 76 is aligned with the centre(s) of head(s) 38. The cut ends of the blade portions can then be engaged with respective halves of tubular body 76 thereby to retain the blade portions in position. Thereafter, the blade portions may be independently pivoted to desired positions.

Numerous different blade configurations are possible and may be selected according to particular applications. For example, a herringbone arrangement of blades may be defined with some blade portions in adjacent rows being arranged to direct air in opposite directions.

In some circumstances, it may be desirable to blank off part of the diffuser 2. This can readily be accomplished by use of a blanking plate 60 (Figure 1 and 2) which can be secured by self-tapping screws extending into sockets 16.

The diffuser 2 may be manufactured in any convenient length, typically of up to 2m. Furthermore, lengths may be secured together in an unobtrusive manner as illustrated in figures 7 and 9. In this regard, as shown in figures 2 and 5, transverse members 18/end members 52 include three spaced apart openings 90. Into each of these openings at one end of a diffuser, serrated one-way plastics bolt 100 (Figure 12) are arranged. A respective bolt 100 is pushed through each opening 90, so that its head 102 is arranged inwardly and its serrated body 104 extends beyond the outer edge of the diffuser. The serrated body is such that it can only easily be pushed through opening 90 one way, so that when it is arranged as described, it is rigidly and substantially immovably fixed in position. An end of a second diffuser may be aligned with the end of the first diffuser and then the ends may be urged towards one another so that each body 104 enters openings 90 in the end of the second diffuser. Since the serrated body is only movable in one direction through an opening, once the body 104 of each bolt enters openings 90, the diffusers are rigidly secured together. Thus, the diffusers may be secured together in alignment by a simple push it.

Whilst the diffuser described above is rectilinear, diffusers which are arranged to curve across a ceiling may be made by rolling the extruded aluminium members 12, 14 to an appropriate curvature. It is found that, up to a limit, the blades 8 are sufficiently resilient to enable them to be engaged with curved housings whilst still maintaining their ability to be pivoted. Beyond the limit, blades 8 may be cut into sections which may be supported as appropriate using partition plates 72 as described in Figure 11.

It should now be appreciated that the diffuser described may be relatively simple and cheap to manufacture.

Furthermore, when viewed from a room it is relatively aesthetic since, as is apparent from Figure 3, all that is seen are the blades 8 and outer walls 13, 15, there being no transverse supporting members visible as is the case in the diffuser described in GB2304181A.

Attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference.

All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive.

Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings) may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment(s). The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features

disclosed in this specification (including any

accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

Claims

1. A diffuser comprising: a housing which includes an air flow passageway having an air outlet opening via which air exits the diffuser; and a support means pivotally mounting an air deflection means in the air flow passageway; wherein said support means is arranged to be releasably engaged with said air deflection means by moving said air deflection means from a position outside said diffuser, and into said air flow passageway via said air outlet opening.

2. A diffuser according to claim 1, wherein said air deflection means includes first securement means by means of which it is releasably secured to the support means, said first securement means being resilient.

3. A diffuser according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein said air deflection means is not releasably engaged with said support means by a pivot pin.

4. A diffuser according to any preceding claim, wherein one of either said support means or air deflection means comprises a male element which is arranged to engage a female element provided by the other one of either said support means or air deflection means, wherein at least one of either said male element or female element is elongate.

5. A diffuser according to claim 4, wherein said female element has a part circular internal cross-section in which the male element engages and is pivotable therewithin.

6. A diffuser according to claim 4 or claim 5, wherein the support means includes a plurality of axially aligned male or female elements, thereby to define a means for supporting an elongate air deflection means at spaced apart positions.

7. A diffuser according to any of claims 4 to 6, wherein said air deflection means including said male or female element thereof is formed by extrusion.

8. A diffuser according to any of claims 4 to 7, wherein said air deflection means includes one or more elongate female elements and said support means comprises at least two male elements which are spaced apart in the elongate direction.

9. A diffuser according to any of claims 4 to 8, wherein said support means comprises a plurality of support struts which extend transversely to the elongate extent of the diffuser and each strut includes a said male or female element for engaging the other one of a said female or male element associated with said air deflection means.

10. A diffuser according to claim 9, wherein said struts are preferably arranged to support at least two elongate air deflection means with the air deflection means extending substantially parallel to one another.

11. A diffuser according to claim 9 or claim 10, wherein each strut includes at least two male or female elements for engagement with corresponding male or female elements associated with air deflection means.

12. A diffuser according to any of claims 9 to 11, wherein each strut extends transversely to at least two elongate support members and said struts are arranged to rigidly space apart the elongate support members, wherein said lO elongate support members are shaped to define one or a plurality of air outlet openings.

13. A diffuser according to any preceding claim, wherein the maximum angle through which said air deflection means is pivotable is less than 90 .

14. A diffuser according to any preceding claim, wherein said diffuser is substantially linear and the ratio of the total length of the diffuser to its width is at least 4.

15. A diffuser according to any preceding claim, wherein the width of the diffuser is in the range 5 to 30cm and the length is at least 30 cm.

16. A diffuser according to any preceding claim, wherein said air deflection means overlies its position of securement to the support means along its entire extent so that substantially no part of said securement means is visible when the diffuser is arranged in a room, in normal use.

17. A diffuser according to any preceding claim, wherein the diffuser includes a clip means arranged to be secured to the housing to provide a means for pivotally mounting an end of the air deflection means.

18. An air conditioning apparatus comprising a diffuser according to any of claims 1 to 17 at an outlet end of an air flow passageway.

19. A method of assembling a diffuser according to any of claims 1 to 17, which comprises moving an air deflection means of the diffuser from a position outside the diffuser and into an air flow passageway thereof via an air outlet opening thereof to engage a support means of the diffuser and pivotably mount the air deflection means thereon.

20. A method according to claim 19, wherein said diffuser is elongate and the method includes moving the air deflection means transversely to the elongate axis of the diffuser to enter an elongate air flow passageway thereof via an elongate air outlet opening thereof.

21. A method of controlling the flow of air into a room using a diffuser according to any of claims 1 to 17.

22. An assembly of first and second diffusers joined end to end by a joining means which comprises: a first opening in a part of the first diffuser; a second opening in a part of the second diffuser, said first and second openings being axially aligned; and a male securement element which includes a body which is arranged to be an interference fit in said first and second openings, whereby when said body has been inserted in said openings it is relatively difficult to remove. /

23. An assembly according to claim 22, wherein said body includes teeth which are arranged to restrict withdrawal of the body from said first and second openings after insertion thereinto.

24. A method of joining first and second diffusers end to end which comprises: inserting a male securement element through a first opening in a first end of a first diffuser; aligning first and second ends of said diffusers; causing the male securement element to pass into the second opening in said diffuser to secure the diffusers together, wherein said male securement element is an interference fit in said second opening.

25. A diffuser, an air conditioning apparatus, a method, an assembly, each being substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.