US2719476A - Register - Google Patents

Description

Oct. 4, 1955 N. .1. DOVOLIS 2,719,476

REGISTER Filed March 12, 1952 5 Sheets-Sheet l IN I-"EN TOR.

BY WX/ Oct. 4, 1955 N. J. DOVOLIS 2,719,476

REGISTER Filed March 12, 1952 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN V EN TOR.

33 fiaralia l 4, 1955 N. J. DOVOLIS 2,719,476

REGISTER Filed March 12, 1952 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 IN VEN TOR.

United States Patent 1 2,719,476 REGISTER Nick J. Dovolis, Minneapolis, .Minn., assignor to Char- Gale Manufacturing Company, Minneapolis, Minn, a

corporation of Minnesota Application March 12, 1952, Serial No. 276,107 3 Claims. (Cl. 98-.-108) My invention relates generally to ventilating apparatus and more specifically to registers for ventilators and the like.

More particularly my invention resides .in novel register construction for air conditioning systems, heating systerns, and the like, and has for one of its primary obiectives the provision of means whereby the passage of air through the register maybe controlled to a fine degree.

Registers commonly used in the heating or air conditioning of various rooms in the building normally provide for the straight through passage of air therethrough at substantially a right angle to the wall on which the register is situated. The use of registers of this type frequently results in unpleasant living conditions, inthat persons located directly in front of the register are subject to the draft thereof. Another important object of my invention is, therefore, the provision of novel register construction, wherein air being received into or disbursed from the register flows at an oblique angle to the Wall on which said register is situated.

Another object of the invention, is the provision of a register frame having outwardly flared wall portions which define an air passage and a damper plate movable in opposite directions axially .of said passage between passage opened andpassage closed positions.

Another object of my invention is the provision of a register, as set forth, which will permit a greater velocity of air in the ducts or conduits leading thereto, as well as a wider variety of temperature .in said air, than has been hitherto practicable.

Another object of my invention is the provision of a register, as set forth, comprising a frame which defines an air passage, a damper, and novel means mounting said damper for movements axially of said passage between passage opened and passage closed positions.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of a register, as set forth, which is equally adapted for use as an inlet register, as well as areturn register.

Still another object of my invention is the provision of a register, as set forth, which is simple and inexpensive to manufacture and install, whichis eflicient in operation, and which is rugged in construction and durable in use.

The above and still further highly important objects and advantages of my invention will become apparent from the following detailed specification, appended claims, and attached drawings.

Referring to the drawings, which illustrate the invention and in which like characters indicate like parts throughout the several views:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary view in front elevation of a register built in accordance with my invention, installed in a wall structure.

Fig. 2 is a view corresponding to Fig. 1, showing parts thereof in a different position.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail of the register positioned as in Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a view in horizontal section taken substantially on the line 4-4 of Pig. 3, on a still further enlarged scale.

Fig. 5 is a vertical section taken substantially on the line 55 of Fig. 3, also on an enlarged scale.

Pig. 6, sheet his a fragmentary detailin section taken on the line 66 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary section taken on .the line 7--7 of Fig. 5.

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Fig. 8 is a view in front elevation .of a modified form of the register of my invention.

Fig. 9 is a vertical section taken substantially on the line 9-9 of Fig. 8.

Fig. 10 is a view corresponding to Fig. 9, showing another modified form of the invention.

Fig. 11 is a view in front elevation of a still further modified form of the invention.

Fig. 12 is a section taken substantially on the line 12-12 of Fig. 11.

In the preferred embodiment of my invention, illustrated in Figs. 1 to 7, inclusive, a transfer :box or the like 1 is shown as being mounted in a wall structure, preferably by being fastened to one or more ofthe studdings 3 of ,the wall structure. The transfer box 1 has an open side which provides an air passage 4 for the movement of air between an air conduit 5 .opening from an adjacent side of the transfer box and the exterior of the wall structure 2. As shown in Figs. 4 and 5, one wall element is cut away to provide an aperture 7 for the reception of the transfer box. In the preferred embodimentof the invention, the transfer box .1 is generally rectangular in form, and is shown as comprising a rear wallt8, opposed end walls 9, and top and bottom walls 10 and 11, respectively. The conduit 5 is connected to the bottom wall 11 by a flanged coupling or the like 12.

The end walls 9 and the top and bottom walls 11 and 11, respectively adjacent the open side of the transfer box 1, are formed to provide a forwardly opening peripheral channel 13 which contains a band 14 of cushioning .material, such as a rubber belt or the like. A generally rectangular frame 15 comprises a peripheral outer wall 16 and is formed to provide inner end wall portions 17 and inner top wall portions 18, and an inner bottom wall portion 19. At one end, the inner end walls 17 and the inner wall 18 are formed to provide a flat seat 20 which extends partly around the opening defined by the inner walls of the frame 15. A stop flange 21 is rigidly secured to the inner wall portion 19 in theplane of the flat seat 20, for a purpose which will hereinafter become apparent. The frame 15 is formed to provide an inner peripheral flange 22 which extends laterally inwardly from the seat 2% and is adapted to be received in the peripheral channel 13 of the transfer box 1. With reference particularly to Figs. 4 and 5, it will be seen that the inner end walls 17 of the frame flareoutwardly from the seat 20, as does the upper inner wall portion 1 8, and that the lower inner wall 19 does not flare outwardly, but is substantially parallel to the axis of the air passage 4 defined by the end walls 9 and the top and bottom walls 10 and 11 of the transfer box 1. The flaring end wall portions 17, together with the flaring top wall portion 18 and the bottom wall 19 cooperate to define an air passage 23 which is in registration with the air passage 4 when the flange 22 is contained within the channel 13 of the transfer box 1. The inner wall of the channel 13 is cut away, as indicated at 24, for the reception of anchoring brackets or the like 25 rigidly secured to the flange 22, preferably by welding or the like. Anchoring screws or the like 26 are screw-threaded into ears 27 welded or otherwise rigidly secured to the inner surfaces of the opposite end walls 9, whereby to securely hold the frame .in place.

frame 15. The resilience of the packing 14 further provides compensation against inaccurate installation of the transfer box 1, which may otherwise prevent the frame 15 from being held flush against the surface of the wall element 6, and presenting a neat appearance.

A generally U-shaped bracket is welded or otherwise rigidly secured at one of its ends to the flange or skirt 22, as indicated at 29, and at its opposite end the stop flange 21, as indicated at 30. The bracket 28 is preferably mounted at the lateral center of the frame and has welded or otherwise rigidly secured at its central portion a threaded burr or nut 31. The nut 31 is in register with a central opening 32 in the bracket. A cross-sectionally noncircular, preferably rectangular slide element in the nature of a sleeve 33 extends forwardly from the central portion of the bracket 28, encompassing the nut 31. As shown, the sleeve 31 is provided at its rear end with flanges 34 that are welded or otherwise rigidly secured to the central portion of the bracket 28. A second slide element in the nature of a generally rectangular sleeve 35 is telescopically received in the sleeve 33 for relative sliding movements. Obviously, the rectangular cross-sectional shape of the cooperating sleeves 33 and 35 prevents relative rotation therebetween. The sleeves 33 and 35 are so disposed that sliding movement therebetween is in a direction parallel to the axis of the passage 4 in the transfer box 1 and passage 23 in the frame 15. At its forward end, the sleeve 35 is provided with flanges or ears 36 to which is spot welded or otherwise rigidly secured a damper plate 37. Said damper plate is of rectangular outline and of a size to have seating engagement of its marginal edge portions with the seat and the stop flange 21. As indicated in Figs. 2 and 3, the lower marginal edge portion of the damper plate 37 is substantially slidable on the inner wall portion 19 of the frame 15. Preferably, a working clearance is maintained between the lower marginal edge and the adjacent inner wall portion 19.

The arrangement above described provides that the damper plate may be moved toward and away from engagement of its marginal edges with the seat 20 and stop flange 21, in a direction axially of the aligned passages 4 and 23. Assuming that air under pressure is moving through the conduit 5 and the transfer box 1, movement of the damper plate 37 into seating engagement with the seat 20 will result in movement of air through the passage 23. On the other hand, movement of the damper plate 37 away from seating engagement with the seat 20, see Figs. 4 to 6, inclusive, will permit a flow of air through the passages 4 and 23 adjacent the flared inner wall portions of the frame 15. In this position of the damper plate 37, air under pressure from the conduit 5 will flow outwardly of the transfer box 1 through the passage 4 thereof and the aligned passage 23, where it will be directed by the damper plate 37 against the flaring wall portions 17 and 18 and flow outwardly into the room in the direction of the flared wall portions. Thus, the air entering the room through the register is dispersed over a wide area and a comfortable living area results.

Means for seating the damper plate in desired position to provide a flow which will meet the requirements of a given area, comprises an adjusting screw 38 which is screw-threaded into the nut 31, and which extends through an aperture 39 in the damper plate 30. At its outer end, the screw 38 is provided with a narrowed head 40 which engages the damper plate 37. The damper plate is biased toward a register open position by a coil compression spring 41 encompassing the screw 38 within the telescoping elements 33 and 35 and interposed between the nut 31 and the inner surface of the damper plate 37 under the head 40.

Although I have described my novel register as being utilized to direct flow of air into a given area or room, it should be borne in mind that the same will operate with equal facility as an air return register. When the register is used to direct the flow of air into a room, it is preferably located at a relatively high level from the floor, as indicated in Fig. 2. On the other hand, when my register is used to return air from the room to a heating plant, or the like, not shown, the register is preferably located closely adjacent the floor or at least in close proximity to the floor molding or mopboard, indicated at A. When the device is used as an air return register, as in Fig. 1, air from the room is drawn into the transfer box at approximately the angle of flare of each of the wall portions 17 and 18, or from widely divergent areas in the room. Thus, much of the normal feeling of draft is eliminated, and a healthier condition exists in the room. In some installations it may be desired that the inlet register be placed near the floor and disposed in the manner illustrated in Fig. 1, while the return register may be rotated close to the ceiling of the room and disposed in the manner illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3. The location and disposition of the registers, of course, depends upon the individual heating or air conditioning problems encountered in a particular system.

In the modified form of the invention illustrated in Figs. 8 and 9, a generally rectangular register frame 42 is shown as having oppositely flared inner top and bottom wall portions 43 and 44 respectively, and oppositely flared inner end walls 45 which define an air passage 46 of greater cross-sectional area at its forward end 47 than at its inner end, which is defined by a flat shoulder providing a seat 48. An inwardly projecting flange 49 is of a size and shape to be contained in the channel 13 of the transfer box of Figs. 4 to 6, inclusive. The frame 42 is provided with mounting means for a damper plate 50, which mounting means is identical to that of the structure of Figs. 1 to 7, inclusive, and carries identical reference characters. The damper plate 50 has an outline similar to the cross-sectional shape of the passage 46 and is of a size to engage the seat 48 to close the passage 46. The damper plate 50 is provided with a peripheral flange 51 providing upper and lower portions 52 and 53 which flare outwardly in the same directions as their adjacent flared wall portions 43 and 44, respectively, of the frame 42 and end portions 54, each of which flares outwardly in substantially the same direction as their adjacent flared inner end walls 45 of the frame 42. The flange 51 on the damper plate 50 aids in the directing of air flowing through the passage 46, and insures a wide angle of divergence of air currents, thus further reducing the feeling of draft within the room. It should further be noted that when the damper plate 50 is moved to its closed position, wherein the same engages the seat 48, the various portions of the flange 51 will be in abutting engagement with their respective flared inner wall portions of the frame 42.

Fig. 10 illustrates a modified arrangement wherein the damper plate 37 of Figs. 1 to 7, inclusive, is used in connection with the frame 42 of Figs. 8 and 9. This arrangement, while not directing the flow of air with quite the accuracy of the register of Figs. 8 and 9, does have a slight advantage in that there is no flange, such as the flange 51, projecting forwardly of the frame 42.

In the modified form of the invention illustrated in Figs. 11 and 12, a register frame is indicated at 55, and shown as being circular in form, having an outer peripheral wall engaging flange 56 and an inner flaring wall 57 of greater diameter at its outer end than at its inner end portion. Adjacent its inner end, the flaring wall 57 is formed to provide an annular seat 58 and a circumferentially extending, axially inwardly projecting flange 59, which is adapted to be received in the mounting channel of a circular transfer box, not shown. Said transfer box may be assumed to be of the same construction as that of the transfer box 1, except that the same is circular in cross-section. The flaring inner wall 57 of the frame 56 defines an air passage 60 which is openable and closable by a circular damper plate 61, having a circumferentially marginally extending flange 62 which flares in the same direction as the flaring inner wall 57. The damper plate 61 is mounted for opening and closing movements by means identical to that shown in Figs. 1 to 10, inclusive, on a generally U-shaped bracket 63 anchored at its opposite ends by welding, or the like, to the circumferential flange 59. The aforesaid mounting and adjusting means for the damper plate 61 carry the same reference characters as their respective parts illustrated in the preceding views.

From the above, it will be seen that my improved register may be made in a variety of shapes and with a wide variety of arrangements. In practice, I have found that dampers built in accordance with the invention herein disclosed have provided a vastly improved distribution of air throughout a room, as well as permitting a substantial increase in the velocity of air in the trunk lines or ducts leading to the registers. In this connection, it will be appreciated that when using my improved register as an inlet to the room, air of greater variety of temperature may be fed to the room to bring the room to the desired temperature much more quickly than has been hitherto possible. While I have shown a preferred form of the invention, and several modifications thereof, it will be understood that the same is capable of further modification without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, as defined in the claims.

What I claim is:

l. A register for ventilating systems, said register comprising a tubular frame having flared wall portions at one of its ends defining a passage of increasing cross sectional area in a direction longitudinally outwardly of the frame, said frame being adapted to be mounted against a wall surface and in registration with an air passage through said wall surface, a damper plate having an outline similar to the cross-sectional shape of the passage and being of a size greater than the smaller end of said passage and smaller than the larger end of the passage, and means mounting said damper plate for movements in said passage in one direction axially thereof to cause engagement of marginal edge portions of said damper plate with adjacent wall portions of said frame to close the passage and in the opposite direction to cause said marginal edges of the damper plate to be spaced from the adjacent flared wall portions of said frame whereby to variably open the passage and direct movement of air between said marginal edges of the damper plate and adjacent flared wall portions and generally in the direction of said flared portions, said lastmentioned means comprising a pair of cooperating crosssectionally polygonal tubular telescoping elements one mounted on said damper plate and one mounted on said frame whereby to prevent relative rotation between said damper plate and frame, and a screw device extending axially through said telescoping elements, opposite end portions of said screw device engaging said damper plate and frame at their central portions.

2. In a device of the class described, a transverse box adapted to be mounted in a wall structure and having an open side providing air passage through a surface of said wall structure, a tubular frame having flared wall portions at one of its ends defining a passage of increasing cross sectional area in a direction longitudinally outwardly of the frame, means mounting said frame on said transfor box and against a wall surface of said wall structure, the passage in said frame being in register with the passage formed by said transfer box, a damper plate having an outline similar to the cross-sectional shape of the passage in said frame and being of a size greater than the smaller end of said last-mentioned passage and smaller than the larger end of the passage, and means mounting said damper plate for movements in the passage of said frame in one direction axially thereof to cause engagement of marginal edge portions of said damper plate with adj; cent wait portions of said frame to close the passage and in the opposite direction to cause said marginal edges of the damper plate to be spaced from the adjacent flared wall portions of said frame whereby to variably open the passage and direct movement of air between marginal edges of said damper plate and the adjacent flared wall portions and generally in the direction of said flared portions, said last-mentioned means comprising a central bracket extending transversely of said frame, a pair of cooperating cross-sectionally polygonal telescoping elements one on said bracket and one on said damper plate, a threaded element on said bracket within the telescoping element thereon, an adjusting screw extending through said damper plate and telescoping elements and having threaded engagement with said threaded element, and yielding means interposed between said bracket and said damper plate within said telescoping members and biasing said damper plate in a passage-opening direction.

3. The structure defined in claim 1 in which said frame defines a generally rectangular air passage.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNlTED STATES PATENTS 184,955 Condon Dec. 5, 1876 854,595 Newey May 21, 1907 2,125,454 Marshall Aug. 2, 1938 2,355,294 Herbster Aug. 8, 1944 2,365,867 Dauphinee Dec. 26, 1944 2,369,119 Dauphinee Feb. 13, 1945 2,555,978 Kooiker June 5, 1951 FOREIGN PATENTS 360,727 Great Britain Nov. 12, 1931 732,524 France June 14, 1932

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