VENTILATION DEVICE FOR USE WITH A MEANS TO ALTER AN AIR CONDITION ENTERING AN ENVIRONMENT FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention is generally concerned with means and methods for controlling the air conditions of an environment and is concerned, more in particular, with ventilation holes through which the air is made to move through an air handling system to an environment, within which it is desired to control the air conditions. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Ventilation holes, also known as registers, for communicating or conducting air from the duct or conduit of an air management system to an environment, such as a room in a building, are well known in the art. . Such vent holes commonly include a body having a passage therethrough, for receiving air from the duct or duct and defining a plurality of vent holes directing the flow of air to the environment. It is also common for such ventilation openings to include a closing mechanism, such as a shutter mechanism, which allows the volume of air communicated to the environment through the vents to be selectively controlled. It would be desirable to provide such a ventilation hole that is
Ref .: 151678 adapted to support means that alter conditions, such as a filter, through which air is allowed to pass, in order to condition the air in a desired manner, before the air is introduced to the air. environment . Thus, it would be desirable to provide a new and improved ventilation device through which the air is discharged to an environment by an air management system, wherein the device is adapted to withstand an environment that alters the conditions, through which , the air is allowed to pass, as the air enters the environment. Another object of the present invention is to provide such a ventilation device, wherein a medium that alters the conditions can be easily installed within or removed from the device. Still another embodiment of the present invention is to provide such a ventilation device wherein a condition altering means, positioned therein, can be used to alter the air flow that is allowed to exit the ventilation device. Yet another embodiment of the present invention is to provide such a ventilation device that is suitable for containing a filter to filter undesirable materials, such as dust and pollen, from the air as the air enters the environment. A further embodiment of the present invention is to provide such a ventilation device that is not complicated in construction and is effective in operation.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention consists of a ventilation device for communicating air with an air supply system to an environment. The ventilation device includes a body having a passage through which air is allowed to flow from an air supply system and an environment and the passage includes a hole. In addition, the device includes a housing that has a cavity into which a means can be placed which alters the conditions and which has ventilation holes that allow the flow of air through the cavity in such a way that an altering medium The conditions positioned within the cavity can alter a condition of the air flowing through the cavity. The housing is attached to the body for a movement relative thereto between a closed condition, in which the housing is positioned within the passage passage of the body, such that air flowing through the passageway from the supply system of air is conducted through the cavity of the housing means and an open condition in which access is provided to the housing cavity for the removal of a medium that alters the conditions contained in the cavity or for the placement of a medium that alters the conditions to the cavity.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES Figure 1 is a perspective view of a ventilation device in which features of the present invention are incorporated. Figure 2 is a top plan view of the ventilation device of Figure 1. Figure 3 is a bottom plan view of the ventilation device of Figure 1. Figure 4 is a front elevational view of the ventilation device of Figure 1. Figure 1. Figure 5 is a rear elevation view of the ventilation device of Figure 1. Figure 6 is a left side elevation view of the ventilation device of Figure 1. Figure 7 is a side elevational view right of the ventilation device of figure 1. Figure 8 is a left side elevation view of the ventilation device of figure 1, wherein the filter housing thereof has been hinged outwards.
Figure 9 is a view in right lateral elevation of the ventilation device of Figure 1, wherein the filter housing thereof has been hinged outwards. Figure 10 is a perspective view of the ventilation device of Figure 1, shown with its filter housing being hinged outwardly and with its filter being removed from the filter housing. Figure 11 is a perspective view of the filter illustrated in Figure 10. Figure 12 is a cross-sectional view taken approximately along line 12-12 of Figure 1 and illustrating the ventilation device being positioned within of the floor of a room and where the filter is positioned at a position along the length of the filter housing. Figure 13 is a view similar to that of Figure 12, wherein the filter is positioned at a position along the length of the filter housing. Figure 14 is a view similar to that of Figures 12 and 13, where the filter is positioned at yet another position along the length of the filter housing. Figure 15 is a perspective view of a first alternative embodiment of a ventilation device within which features of the present invention are incorporated. Figure 16 is a front elevation view of the ventilation device of Figure 15, wherein the filter housing thereof is shown positioned to an open or outward position, in which the filter housing can be accessed. Fig. 17 is a cross-sectional view of the ventilation device of Fig. 15 taken approximately along line 17-17 of Fig. 15. Fig. 18 is a right side elevational view of the ventilation device of Fig. 15. Figure 19 is a top plan view of the ventilation device of Figure 15. Figure 20 is a perspective view of a second alternative embodiment of a ventilation device within which features of the present invention are implemented. Figure 21 is a view similar to that of Figure 20, wherein the filter housing is shown positioned in an open position in which the filter housing can be accessed. Figure 22 is a cross-sectional view of the ventilation device of Figure 20, taken generally around line 22-22 of Figure 20. Figure 23 is a cross-sectional view of the ventilation device of Figure 20 , taken generally around line 23-23 of Figure 21. Figure 24 is a cross-sectional view of the ventilation device of Figure 20, taken generally around line 24-24 of Figure 20. Figure 25 is a cross-sectional view of the ventilation device of Figure 20, taken generally around line 25-25 of Figure 21. Figure 26 is a perspective view of a third alternative embodiment of a ventilation device. within which features of the present invention are implemented. Figure 27 is a left side elevation view of the ventilation device of Figure 26, wherein the filter housing is housed in an open position and wherein the filter is partially positioned outside the filter housing. Figure 28 is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of Figure 26 taken along line 28-28 of Figure 26. Figure 29 is a view similar to that of Figure 28 of yet another embodiment of a device. of ventilation. Figure 30 is a view similar to that of Figure 28 of yet another embodiment of a ventilation device. Figure 31 is a perspective view of a sixth alternative embodiment of a ventilation device within which features of the present invention, shown in exploded view, are implemented. Figure 32 is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of Figure 31, taken generally along line 32-32 of Figure 31. Figure 33 is a cross-sectional view of one more embodiment of the device of ventilation within which features of the present invention are implemented.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED MODALITIES Turning now to the drawings in greater detail and considering Figures 1-14, there is illustrated an embodiment, indicated generally with the number 10, of a ventilation device in which features of the present invention are incorporated. . The ventilation device 10 is designed for use with an air supply or air management system, such as for example the air handling system of a central heating and air conditioning unit of a building, for air conditioning which is led to a room in the building. More specifically, the ventilation device 10 is adapted to be mounted on the floor, wall or ceiling of a room of the building to condition the air that is communicated or conducted from an air duct to the room. The air conditioning that is conducted to the room by air is carried out by means of a filter (described herein) mounted inside the ventilation device 10, in such a way that the air that is conducted to the room is relatively free. of dust, pollen and other particles that you want to separate from the air through the filter. Although the ventilation device 10 is described herein used to filter the air that is conducted to a room, such that the filtered air is introduced into a room, it will be understood that other means of air conditioning, such as deodorizing room (or other means loaded with perfume) or respirable medicines, may be supported within a device, such as that of the ventilation device 10, in accordance with the broader aspects of the present invention. In addition, although the ventilation device 10 described herein is designed to be used to condition the air entering a room, comparable ventilation devices can be designed and used in the outputs of the air management systems used to power the room. air to other environments, such as the interior of an automobile or the cab of a truck, in accordance with the broader aspects of the present invention. Thus, the principles of the present invention can be applied in a variety of ways. Referring again to FIGS. 1-14, the ventilation device 10 includes a body 12 within which a plate-like filter housing 14 is housed. Both the body 12 and the filter housing 14 can be manufactured from a strong durable plastic, but it will be understood that various other manufacturing materials could be used, in which various metallic materials are included. In the embodiment 10 of Figures 1-14, the body 12 includes rectilinear walls 16 joined at four corners to define an air flow passage 18 that allows air to pass vertically through the body 12. The walls 16 also define a lower opening 20 which establishes fluid communication between the passage 18 and an operatively associated duct 22 (figure 12) and to define an upper opening 24 within which the filter housing 14 is accepted, such that the filter housing 14 is disposed at least partially within the passage 18. The body 12 also includes an outwardly directed mounting flange 26 which substantially encircles the upper opening 24 to engage a surface 28 (see FIG. 12) such as the surface of a wall, floor or roof, when the operating device 10 is operatively installed within a duct 12 of the wall, floor or ceiling. Accordingly and as illustrated in Figure 12, in a typical installation, at least a portion of the body 12 is accepted by an opening 30 in the duct 22 of a wall, floor or ceiling and at least a portion of the walls 16 engages with the duct 22, such that the opening 20 is in fluid communication with the air passage of the duct 22. Further, the mounting flange 26 is positioned in engagement with the support surface 28 of the wall, floor or ceiling to stabilize the body 12 when it is positioned therein. Preferably, the walls 16 of the body 12 are sized to accommodate the forced fit insertion to the duct 22. To facilitate this forced fit coupling, prominent detent elements 32 can be provided on or formed along the outside of the walls 16. In the illustrated embodiment of the ventilation device 10, the filter housing 14 is received closely and hingedly secured in the passage 18, to serve as a closure for the passage 18. In this connection, the filter housing 14 is hingedly secured to the body 12 proximate a rear edge portion 34. Within the illustrated venting device 10, this articulated mounting of the filter housing 14 is carried out with a pair of oppositely arranged pivot pins 36 extending from the filter housing 14 and which are received in holes 38 provided in the body 12. It will be noted that alternative holes 38 'can be provided ( see Figures 6 - 9) to receive the bolts 36, in such a way that the direction in which the filter housing 14 opens in an articulated manner can be reversed if desired. It follows, therefore, that the filter housing 14 is hingedly connected to the body 12 to accommodate an articulated movement of the housing 14 from a closed condition, as illustrated in Figures 1-7, in which the plane of the housing 14 is oriented substantially horizontally (and the upper surface of the housing 14 is substantially flush with the mounting flange 26) and an open condition, as illustrated in Figs. 8-10, in which the flat of the housing 14 is disposed substantially in a substantially vertical (and the upper surface of the housing 14 is positioned substantially vertically). As will be evident herein, positioning the filter housing 14 in its open condition (FIGS. 8-10) facilitates separation or installation of a filter therein. Within the illustrated venting device 10, at least the inner portion 40 of the filter housing 14 is designed to be moved at a snap-fit relationship within the passage 18 when moved to its closed condition, such that it is less it is probable that the filter housing 14 inadvertently articulates to an open position. Such a press fit relationship can be obtained by providing the body 12 with protruding detent elements 42 (see Figures 6 and 7) which are inserted into corresponding holes 44 provided in the walls 16 of the body 12, when the filter housing 14 is moved to its closed position within passage 18. However, it will be recognized by those skilled in the art that other mechanisms may be used to releasably secure the filter housing 14 in its closed position within passage 18. As illustrated better in Figure 10, the filter housing 14 includes means defining a slot 46 for the filter having an elongated slot opening 47 that opens outwardly from a front flange portion 48 of the housing 14 and such that the housing 14 defines internal and external walls 50 and 52, respectively. The inner wall 50 of the housing 14 is provided with a plurality of ventilation holes 54 that allow air to be communicated from the duct 22 to the filter slot 46 and the outer wall 52 defines a plurality of ventilation holes 56 whose orifices are in register with the ventilation holes 54 of the inner wall 50 and allowing the air to be communicated from the slot for the filter 46 to a room of a building. Thus, the ventilation holes 54 and 56 provide air communication from the duct 22 (Figure 12) through the filter housing 14 and into a room of a building. For purposes of filtering the air that is introduced to the room through the pipeline 22, a filter 58 is detachably received by the filter slot 46 of the filter housing 14. In the illustrated embodiment 10 and as best illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11, the filter 58 includes means that provide an enclosure 60 that a in turn defines a cavity 62 for supporting a material or filter means 63. The filter material 63 of the illustrated filter 58 is adapted to trap dust, unwanted pollen and other particulate matter that is desired to prevent it from entering the building room by means of the vent hole 10. As an alternative (or in addition), a perfumed substance, such as an air deodorizer or air freshener may be positioned within the cavity 62 to perfure or deodorize the air passing through the device. 10. In addition, a medication adapted to be absorbed by or evaporated into the air moving through the vent hole 10 may be positioned within the cavity 62, in such a way that it is dispersed to a room of the building. In connection with the above, the envelope 60 of the filter 58 includes internal and external walls 64 and 66, respectively, disposed on opposite sides of the filter material 63. The inner wall 64 is provided with a plurality of ventilation holes 68 and the wall 66 is provided with a plurality of vent holes 70 that are in register with the vent holes 68 to allow air flow through the filter 58. The vent holes 68 and 70 of the illustrated filter 58 are configured and spaced apart from each other. yes, such that when the filter 58 is positioned within the housing 14, the holes 68 and 70 can be aligned (i.e., positioned in register with) the ventilation holes 54 and 56. In line with the above, in the illustrated ventilation device 10, the length L (figure 12) of the filter slot 16 is larger than the length L 'of the filter 58 (see figure 12) to accommodate a displacement or longitudinal of the filter 58 within the slot 46. This allowed displacement allows the filter 58 to be moved slidably between a position in which the ventilation holes 68 and 70 are aligned with the ventilation holes 54 and 56 and a position in the which ventilation holes 68 and 70 are out of alignment of the ventilation holes 54 and 56 and the internal and external walls 64 and 66 of the filter 58 completely obstruct the flow of air between the ventilation holes 54 and 56. For example and as seen in Figure 12 (in which the filter housing 14 is positioned in a closed position), the filter 58 has been positioned along the length of the filter housing 14, such that the ventilation holes 68 and 70 of the filter 58 are aligned with the vent holes 54 and 56 of the filter housing 14. When the filter 58 is positioned in this position of FIG. 12, it is allowed to e the air from the duct 22 flows into the room through the filter 58, the direction of the air flow is indicated by the arrows 73. On the other hand and as shown in figure 13, the filter 58 is positioned along the the length of the housing 14 such that the ventilation holes 68 and 70 of the filter 58 are partially (rather than fully) aligned with the ventilation holes 54 and 56 of the filter housing 14. Consequently, the air flow to the room through the filter 58 is partially clogged. Still further and as shown in Fig. 14, the filter 58 is positioned along the length of the housing 14 in such a manner that the ventilation holes 68 and 70 of the filter 58 are completely out of alignment with the ventilation holes 54. and 5G of the filter housing 14 and in effect, they are covered by the walls of the casing 64 and 66. Consequently, the air flow to the room through the filter 58 is completely clogged or turned off. A) Yes, the flow of air through the ventilation device 10 to the room can be controlled by adjusting the longitudinal position of the filter 58 along the length of the filter slot 46. To facilitate the adjustment of the position of the filter 58 to along the filter slot 46, the filter 58 is provided with an actuator 71 (figures 10 and 11) which is accessible when the filter housing 14 is seated within the opening of the body 24 (as shown in figure 1) ). Therefore, by sliding the actuator 71 to one of a variety of possible positions a. along the length of the filter slot 46, the flow of air through the ventilation device 10 can be controlled without articulating the filter housing 14 relative to the body 12 and out of its normal operating position. It will also be noted that in the illustrated filter mode 58, the envelope of the filter 60 is provided with a. access hole 72 (figure 11) opposite the side of the actuator 71 that allows access to the interior of the housing cavity 62. This orifice 72 allows the filter material 63 to be periodically replaced, as necessary, by so that the envelope of the filter 60 can be reused. However, this filter replacement feature is contemplated in such a way that all the filter 58 can be disposed of, thus eliminating the need for the access hole 72. Referring to FIGS. 15-19, an alternative embodiment, indicated in FIG. general with the number 10A, which implements the features of the present invention. The components of the ventilation device 10A which are identical to those of the ventilation device 10 of figures 1-10 and 12-14 carry the identical reference numbers followed by the alphabetic character "A". As best illustrated in Figure 16, the filter housing 14A of the ventilation device 10A is hingedly coupled with the body 12A proximate a first portion of the end 74 (instead of proximate the rear edge portion 34) in such a manner. that access is provided to the filter 58A by articulating the second end portion 76 relative to the body 10A outwardly. In addition, alternate holes 38A 'may be provided to receive to receive pivotally the bolts 36A, such that the direction in which the filter housing 14A is hinged may be reversed if desired. Still further and as an alternative to accessing the filter housing 14A from the first end portion 74, the filter slot receiving the filter 58A may be provided at the second end portion 76 of the filter housing 14 as illustrated by the discontinuous lines at 47A 'in Figure 19. With reference to Figures 20-25, there is still illustrated another embodiment, indicated generally with the numeral 10B, of a ventilation device that implements characteristics of the present invention. The components of the ventilation device 10B which are identical to those of the ventilation device 10 of FIGS. 1-10 and 11-14 thus carry the same reference numerals followed by the alphabetic character "B". In this mode 10B, the filter housing 14B is connected to the body 12B to allow the passage 18B of the body 12B to fit into and out of the body 12B between the lower position (i.e., a closed position) and a upper position (Figure 21) in which access is provided to the filter 58B positioned within the filter housing 14B. In this regard, the housing 14B of the filter is provided with four mounting rods 78 extending outward from the inner wall 50B of the filter housing 14B at the four corners thereof.
Further, the body 12B is provided with four operatively associated mounting brackets 80, each of which is provided with a hole 82 therethrough to slidably receive a corresponding rod from the mounting rods 78. Furthermore, in the embodiment 10B, each of the mounting rods 78 is provided with a latching element 84 at its distal end, which prohibits the distal end of the mounting rod 78 from moving through the hole 82 in the mounting bracket 80. Thus, the housing 14B of the filter can be moved relative to the body 12B between an operative position (as illustrated in FIGS. 20, 22 and 24), wherein the filter housing 14B is positioned within the passage 18B and a position not seated (as illustrated in Figures 21, 23 and 25), in which the filter 58B is accessible within the housing 14B for removal and / or replacement of the 58B filter. With reference to Figures 26-30, there is shown an additional embodiment, indicated generally with the number 10C, of a ventilation device in which features of the present invention are incorporated. The components of the ventilation device 10C which are identical to those of the ventilation device described above 10 carry the same reference numerals followed by the alphabetic character "C". The ventilation device 10C is designed to be mounted close to the intersection of a roof and wall or near the intersection of a floor and a wall of a building. As illustrated, the body 12C of the ventilation device 10C is configured in such a way that a rear wall 86 is defined, which, after installation of the ventilation device 10C, is positioned adjacent the wall surface 88 (FIG. ). In addition, the body 12C defines a support wall 90 for coupling with the support surface 28C of the floor and ceiling. In order to introduce air into the building, the hole 24C is defined in a diagonal plane relative to the rear wall 86 and the surrounding wall 90 and the filter housing 18C is mounted in the hole 24C to be oriented to itself in a diagonal plane in relation to the back wall 86 and the support wall 90. It will be noted that the body 12C includes first, second, third and fourth positions of the edge 92, 94, 96 and 98, respectively, defining the orifice arranged diagonally 24C. The housing 14C of the filter can be hingedly mounted to the body 12C for a movement about a hinge axis oriented parallel and adjacent to any of the edge portions 92, 94, 96 or 98. For example, in Figures 26-28, the pivot pins 36C are received through holes 38C which are provided in the opposite side walls 100 and 102 of the body 12C, such that the filter housing 14C is articulated on a parallel axis and adjacent the first edge portion 92 of the body 12C. In Figure 29, the pivot bolts 36C have been mounted in the alternative holes 38C, such that the filter housing 14C articulates on an axis parallel and adjacent to the second edge portion 94 of the body 12C. Alternatively and as illustrated in Figure 30, the openings 38C may be provided on opposite inner walls 104 and 106, such that the filter housing 14C is allowed to articulate about an axis oriented parallel and adjacent to one of the edge portions 96 or 98. With reference to FIGS. 31 and 32, an additional embodiment, indicated generally with the number 10D, is illustrated in which features of the present invention are incorporated. The components of the ventilation device 10D that are identical to those of the ventilation device described above 10 thus bear the same reference numbers followed by the alphabetic character "D". The ventilation device 10D is designed to be mounted on a ceiling or wall and the body 12D defines a rear wall 108 that engages the support surface 28D of the ceiling or wall. In this regard, the rear wall 108 can be secured to the supporting surface with appropriate mechanical fasteners such as screws 110. Instead of being secured in the passage 18D as is the case with the embodiments described above 10, 10A, 10B and 10C, the housing 14D of the filter of the vent device 10D is secured over the orifice 24D to establish fluid communication between the passage 18D and the housing 14D of the filter. More specifically, the body 12D of the illustrated embodiment 12D defines an annular rim 112 disposed close to the perimeter of the hole 24D and the filter housing Í4D defines an interlaced rim portion 114 that engages and interlaces with the annular rim 112 of the body 12D for securing the housing 14D of the filter to the body 12D. It will also be noted that the outer wall 52D of the filter housing 14D is spaced apart from the outer wall 66D of the filter 58D as the filter 58D is seated in the filter housing 14D. In order to support the filter 58D in its desired position, the filter housing 14D is provided with at least one and preferably a plurality of support ribs 116 that extend through the interior of the filter housing 14D (FIG. 32) . The support ribs 116 are preferably disposed between adjacent holes 56D so as not to disturb the flow of air moving through the housing 14D. As with the ventilation devices described above, the filter 58D of the ventilation device 10D is releasably received via the slot 46D of the filter and is slidable along the length of the slot 46D between alternative positions to adjust the volume of air communicated through the 14D housing of the filter. It follows from the foregoing that a venting device has been described for use with a removable filter which, when used together, provides significant advantages over the prior art. The ventilation device allows air flow to a room to be easily controlled and allows air to enter an environment, such as a room, be conditioned (for example, filtered) to remove dust, pollen and / or other particles. In addition and if desired, perfumed materials can be incorporated into a filter positioned within the ventilation device to deodorize a room and / or a medication can be positioned within a filter for dispersion to a room by means of the ventilation device. However, while a preferred embodiment has been shown and described, it will be understood that numerous modifications and substitutions can be obtained to the embodiments described above without deviating from the spirit of the invention. For example, although it has been shown and described that several of the embodiments described above include pivot bolts for hingedly connecting a filter housing to a body of the device, the housing and body can be connected together by means of a band (so-called commonly in the art as a direct joint) that connects the filter housing to the body. For example, a cross-section of a filter embodiment 10E having a body 12E and a filter housing 14E are shown in FIG. 33 which are hingedly connected to each other by means of a band 130 connecting the housing 14E to the body 12E and which allows the housing 14E to be moved hinged relative to the body 12E (either in one or the other of the directions indicated by the arrows 132 and 134) between closed and open conditions. If the filter housing and the body are formed as a single molded unitary piece, for example molded from an appropriate plastic, the band 130 can be formed integrally with the housing and the body. Thus, it is proposed that the modalities described above be for the purpose of illustration and not as a limitation. It is noted that, regarding this date, the best method known by the applicant to carry out the aforementioned invention is that which is clear from the present description of the invention.