US2958272A

US2958272A - Adjustable air distribution units

Info

Publication number: US2958272A
Application number: US682164A
Authority: US
Inventors: Robert W Titus; Francis J Coates
Original assignee: TITUS Manufacturing CORP
Current assignee: TITUS Manufacturing CORP
Priority date: 1957-09-05
Filing date: 1957-09-05
Publication date: 1960-11-01
Anticipated expiration: 1977-11-01

Description

Nov. 1, 1960 R. w. TITUS ETAL 2,958,272

ADJUSTABLE AIR DISTRIBUTION UNITS 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 5, 1957 INVENTORS f S E m TC J TE mm BA OR RF 6 2 WW, BY ATT'YS Nov. 1, 1960 R. w. TITUS ETAL 2,958,272

ADJUSTABLE AIR DISTRIBUTION mum's Filed Sept. 5, 1957 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 a 0 l6 .4 lO

INVENTORS.

ROBERT W. TITUS FRANCIS J. COATES BY V J ATT'YS Nov. 1, 1960 R. w. TITUS EI'AL 5 ADJUSTABLE AIR DISTRIBUTION UNITS Filed Sept. 5, 1957 I a Sheets-Sheet s INV EN TORS.

ROBERT w. TITUS FRANCIS J. COATES ADJUSTABLE AIR DISTRIBUTION UNITS Robert W. Titus and Francis J. Coates, Waterloo, Iowa, assignors to Titus Manufacturing Corporation, Water= loo, Iowa, a corporation of Iowa Filed Sept. 5, 1957, Ser. No. 682,164

19 Claims. (Cl. 9840) This invention, in general, relates to air distribution units of the type usually mounted in ceilings and comprising at least one deflector member or a plurality of deflector members of progressively smaller size arranged one within the other and cooperating to define one or more outwardly flaring air passages. The invention has more particular reference to an air distribution unit, at least one of whose air deflecting members is adjustable axially of the unit.

There are numerous designs which have been proposed and used in air distribution units mounted in ceilings, in which one or more of the air deflector members thereof are adjustable. In some instances the adjustment is provided to control the size of the air passage and thus, in effect, the deflector also acts as a damper. In other instances, the adjustable feature is provided to enable the variation of the air pattern of the discharge air after the diffuser member is installed. Of the latter, many of the devices heretofore proposed employ a central threaded shaft on which the adjustable deflector members are threadedly mounted for adjustment by rotation of the shaft, and in some instances to actuate a complicated set of levers by which the inner deflector members may be variably positioned. These threaded shaft devices, in particular, are complicated in design and expensive to manufacture.

One basic object of the instant invention is to provide an air distribution unit of the ceiling outlet type, which is of uncomplicated construction and is economical in manufacture while retaining the desirable adjustment feature enabling the variations of the air flow pattern heretofore discussed.

A further object of the invention is to provide an air distribution unit having a novel mounting of one or more of the inner deflector members whereby the inner deflector members may be adjustably positioned with respect to the outer mounting and deflecting member of the diffuser.

A further object is to provide a novel latching structure whereby the inner deflector unit is removably mounted in the outer mounting and deflecting member.

These and other objects, which will be apparent to one skilled in the art from the following detailed description, are achieved by the air distribution units, illustrated in the drawing wherein:

Fig. l is a plan view of the rear side of the air distribution unit;

Fig. 2 is an exploded cross-sectional view taken along the lines 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 3'3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 4-4 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of an assembled air distribution unit constituting another embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a segment of the em bodiment of Fig. 5;

2,958,2'22 Patented Nov. 7 1, 196.0

ice

Fig. 7 is an exploded, perspective view of a segment similar to that of Fig. 6; and

Fig. 8 is a side elevation of a latching attachment adapted to be substituted for the adjustable attachment 78 to provide a stationary air distribution unit.

In accordance with the invention, the air distribution unit comprises an outer mounting and deflecting member having a duct collar which is attachable to a take-oif duct of the air distribution system, an intermediate outwardly flaring portion terminating in a section which reverses the direction of flare so that this section has a flare which is more nearly parallel to the longitudinal axis (corresponding to the direction of air flow) of the unit, and a marginal portion provided mainly for decorative purposes. The air distribution unit also consists of a series of outwardly flaring, concentric, progressively smaller air deflection members which, in the assembled device, are positioned within the general confines of the outer mounting and deflecting member. The inner series of deflector members are positioned in fixed relationship with each other by a plurality, preferably at least three, rigidv spider arms to which each deflector member is securely fixed. Each of the spider arms is provided with a latch adapted to removably engage a corresponding detent in a locking member mounted on the outer mounting member. A slotted adjustment is provided whereby the inner deflector members, when they are mounted by engagement of the latching structure, are adjustable as a unit with respect to the outer mounting member. By adjustment of the axial position of the inner series of deflector members with respect to the outer mounting member, the air pattern may be varied between one which is primarily downward and one which is primarily outward or lateral of the air distribution unit.

When the inner series of deflector members are adjusted to their extreme downward position, the primary air pattern is lateral or horizontal. In this case, the inner deflector member adjacent the outer mounting member has its edge positioned even with or slightly below the forwardmost corner of the outer mounting member. In this adjustable position of the unit, the outer mounting member has little eiiect upon the air flow pattern, which is controlled primarily by the largest deflector member adjacent the outer member. The other inner deflector members assist to a lesser degree in establishing the horizontal flow pattern. When the inner deflector members are adjusted to their uppermost position, the peripheral edge of the inner deflector member adjacent the outer mounting member is positioned slightly rearward of the forwardmost edge of the outer mounting member. In this position the largest of the inner deflection members deflects the air against the inner face of the outer mounting member whose outwardly flaring and then concave inner surface directs the air pattern flow from a horizontal flow off the largest inner deflection member to a substantially forward or downward direction. In this instance, the air which is later-ally deflected by the other inner deflection members is largely confined in the downwardly flowing air stream formed by the marginal deflecting surface of the outer mounting member. Other variations in the air pattern having intermediate degrees of downward flow and outward flow are attainable by positioning the adjustable inner deflector members in positions between the two extremes.

More specifically, the air distribution unit illustrated in Figs. 1-4 comprises an outermost mounting member designated generally at It] and comprising a unitarymetal stamping or spinning, or if desired, a molded plastic, shaped to provide a cylindrical collar 12' at the, rearmost edge for telescopic engagement with a take-off duct of the air distribution unit. Vertical slots 14 for screw I connection of the collar to the duct enable the adjust} able positioning of the outer mounting member on the take-off duct so that it may be snugly fitted against the ceiling construction. Forwardly of the collar 12, the outer mounting member flares forwardly and outwardly to provide an intermediate flaring portion 16 which terminates in a more forwardly flaring portion 18. At the forwardmost edge of the outer mounting member, the contour is sharply changed to provide a sharp edge 20 from which edge the marginal portion 22 extends in a rearward direction. The marginal portion 22 is essentially employed only for appearance reasons and its outermost edge is adapted to fit in flush contact With the wall or ceiling in which the diffuser is mounted.

In addition to the outer mounting member 10, the air distribution unit comprises an inner series of outwardly flaring, concentric, progressively smaller air deflector members 24-26-28. In the embodiment shown, three inner deflector members are illustrated. It will be understood, however, that this invention contemplates the employment of other numbers of inner deflector members such as l, 2, 4, 5, etc. Each of the outwardly flaring deflector members 24-2628 terminates at its peripheral edge in a narrow, rearwardly-extending peripheral ring 303234, respectively. The size of these peripheral rings is of small magnitude and they exert little, if any, effect upon the primary air pattern. Their purpose, like the marginal portion 22 of the outer mounting member 1%, is primarily to improve the appearance of the overall device.

The inner deflector members 242628 are held in fixed relationship to each other by spider arms 36 comprising outwardly-extending, rigid arms to which each deflector member is attached. The smallest deflector member 28 is spot welded to the lower legs '58 of the spider arms 36; the deflector member 26 is spot welded to the legs 40 of the spider arms 36; and the deflector member 24 is secured to the downwardly-extending legs 42 of the spider arms 36 just below rear cylindrical portion 44 of the deflector member 24. This construction provides for the fixed mounting of the deflector members 2 r-2628 as an integral unit.

Each of the spider arms 36 has mounted on the downwardly-extending legs 42 a plate member 46 with a cutout portion to provide a latch edge 48. Mounted on the lower end of the plate members 46 by rivets are spring steel members 50 whose flat surface is angularly positioned with respect to the longitudinal axis of the air distribution unit.

The outer mounting and deflecting member has three lock members 52 mounted in the collar 12. These L-shaped members each have horizontal legs 54, offset from the inner surface of the collar 12, with upper, inclined surfaces 56 terminating in detents 58. When the unit is assembled, the inner series of deflector members are positioned inside the outer mounting cone and the inner series of deflector members are rotated in a direction so that the latches 48 engage the inclined surfaces 56. The spring steel members 50, in contact with the inner surface of the outer mounting member 10, urge the assembly of the inner series of deflector members downwardly so that the latches 48 drop into detents 58. This construction provides a positive lock against disengagement of the locking structure by rotation in the opposite direction. When the inner series of deflector members are to be removed from the outer mounting member, this is accomplished by first pushing the inner series of members upwardly in the outer mounting member so as to raise the latches 48 above the detent portion 58 and thereafter rotating the inner series of deflector members in a clockwise direction in the structure illustrated in Fig. l. The aforesaid locking structure comprises one of the features of the instant invention.

Another feature of the instant invention is the means provided by which the inner series of deflector members are axially adjustable with respect to the outer mounting member. This is accomplished by providing vertical slots 66 in each of the legs 42 of the spider arms 36. The plate members 46 are secured against rotation by providing vertically aligned, semicircular protrusions- 62 in the spider arms 36, the flat surfaces of the protrusions 62 engaging the inner, straight edge of the plate members 46. The protrusions 62 may be provided by press-forming them in the spider arms 36.

The plate members 46 are mounted on the spider arms 36 by screws 64 extending through slots 60 and an aperture in each plate member (not shown). Nuts 66 are threaded on the screws tightly enough to provide suflicient frictional contact between the spider arms 36 and the plates 46 so that they may be held in their adjusted positions by the frictional contact provided by the slidetension mechanism. Thus, the inner deflector members may be adjustably positioned with respect to the outer mounting member by merely pushing or pulling the inner deflector members in the desired direction when the assembled device is mounted in a ceiling or the like.

Thus, it will be apparent from the foreging description that the air distribution unit of the instant invention provides an uncomplicated locking structure by means of which the rigidly interconnected series of inner deflector members may be removably mounted in the outer mounting member, with a positive locking structure which prevents the accidental rotation of the inner series of deflector members and subsequent disengagement from the outer mounting member. The locking members 52 may be employed to prevent, or to assist in preventing, rotation of the plate 46 providing a close fit between the flat surface of legs 54 of the L-shaped locking members 52 and the vertically disposed straight edges in the cut-out portions of the plates 46 so as to provide a linear sliding contact between the two members and thereby prevent rotation of the plates 46.

It will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that there are many modifications of the invention, other than those specifically illustrated, wherein the principles herein taught may be employed without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, to mention a few, the slots 6% and/ or protrusions 62 may be put in the plate members 46 instead of the spider arms 36, or both the spider arms 36 and plate members 46 may have vertical slots. The locking members 52 may be inverted and mounted on the plate members 46 at substantially right angles thereto, and inwardly and radially extending lugs may be mounted on the collar in place of the locking members 52 to provide surfaces equivalent to latch surfaces 48. The outwardly flaring, inner deflector members may be replaced by a single, substantially flat disc serving in the nature of a damper as well as a deflector. Also, the periphery of the

deflector members

10, 24, 26, 28 need not be necessarily round. They may be polygonal in shape as viewed in Fig. 1, e.g., square or rectangular.

Referring to the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 5-8, the air distribution unit comprises a hollow, outwardly flaring, outer mounting and deflecting member 7%) of identical construction and configuration as the member 10 illustrated in Figs. 14. Mounted on the inner surface are three locking members 52. These locking members are of identical construction with those illustrated in Figs. 1-4. An inner series of hollow, outwardly flaring, progressively smaller, concentric air-deflecting

members

72, 74, which are rigidly fastened to outwardly extending spider arms '76 in the manner illustrated in Figs. 1-4, are mounted in the outer mounting and deflecting member in a manner later described. The

air deflecting members

72, 74 may be of identical construction with the

members

24, 26 in Figs. l-4, or of other construction as heretofore described. The number of inner deflecting members may vary also, as heretofore stated with respect to

members

24, 26, 28;.

The relative adjustment between the outer mounting and deflecting member 70 and the inner series of deflecting members is provided by an adjustable clip designated generally at 78. The clip 78 comprises a substantially U-shaped channel 80. One leg of the substantially U- shaped channel 80 has an outwardly offset extension 82 having apertures 84 therein. One of the channels 80 is mounted on each of the spider arms 76 by screws 86 extending through the apertures 84 and into threaded holes 88 in the spider arms 76. The bight of the substantially U-shaped channel 80 has an elongated longitudinal slot 90 therein for a. purpose later described. A second sub stantially U-shaped channel 92, having an aperture 94 in the bight thereof, is slidably nested in the channel 80 and held therein by a screw 96 and spring steel lock nut 98 the screw extending through the slot 90 and the aperture 94. The screw 96 is tightened sufficiently to prevent slippage of the two channel members under the weight of the inner series of deflector membersat the same time, permitting the two channel members to slide with respect to each other when manual pressure is applied to adjust the longitudinal positioning of the inner series of deflector members with respect to the outer mounting and deflecting member 70.

As will be noted in Figs. 6 and 7, one leg of the channel member 92 is substantially longer than the other leg. The extended leg has a notch in the outer edge thereofproviding a latch edge 1% adapted to interloct with the locking member 52 in the manner heretofore described with respect to Figs. 14. A flat, spring steel member 102 is mounted near the lower edge of the extended leg by a rivet 104 extending through an aperture 106 provided in the extended portion of the channel 92. The spring steel member 102 is bent to extend laterally from the channel 92 in the manner heretofore described and illustrated with respect to Figs. 1-4. A relatively large aperture 108 may be provided in the extended leg of the channel 92 to facilitate loosening or tightening of the screws 86 without removing the channel member 92 from the channel 80.

The clip 78 has been designed for manufacture and marketing as an accessory for air distribution units of the type herein illustrated to provide the feature of adjustability of the deflector members with respect to the outer mounting and deflector member. Thus, in a line of diffusers offered by a manufacturer, the manufacturer can utilize a single design to provide both the adjustable and the nonadjustable or stationary type diffusers.

In the adjustable type of air distribution unit, the adjustable clips 78 are fastened to each of the spider arms 76 by screws 86. The inner series of air deflector members are then mounted in the outer mounting and deflector member by bringing the latch edges 100 into proximity with the locking members 52 and rotating the inner series of deflector members with respect to the outer mounting member so that the latch edges 100 engage and ride up the inclined surfaces 56 (see Fig. 4) and drop into the detents 58, in a manner similar with that described with respect to Figs. 1-4. The spring steel members 102 bear against the inner face of the outer mounting member 70 and urge the inner series of deflector members downwardly so as to hold the latch edges 100 in the detents 58.

A latching element of the nonadjustable type has been illustrated in Fig. 8 to show a clip for a stationary or nonadjustable diffuser line. This latching element comprises the flat plate 110 having a cut-out portion providing a latching edge 112. A fiat spring steel member 114 is mounted on the lower edge of the plate in a manner so as to function the same as the

springs

50 and 102, shown in the two embodiments illustrated in Figs. l-7. Two apertures 116 are provided in the plate for attaching the plate by means of screws to the outer ends of the spider arms 76.

If the standard diffuser line is assembled with the '6 plates affixed to the outer 'ends of the spider arms 76, the air distribution unit is a nonadjustable or stationary type giving only one type of air pattern-depending upon the initial positioning of inner deflector members by the manufacturer. If, however, the customer desires an adjustable unit, the standard line air distribution unit may be modified by merely removing the plates 110 and substituting therefor the adjustable clips 78. Thus, both adjustable and stationary air distribution units may be manufactured from one basic standard line of product.

The concepts of the invention herein taught are susceptible of use in many different designs of air distribution units. It is not intended that the invention be limited to the specific embodiments described and illustrated, but rather, that the invention cover all devices coming within the spirit and scope of the invention defined in the appended claims.

The invention is hereby claimed as follows:

1. An air distribution unit comprising a hollow, outwardly flaring member through which flows air supplied to, the unit; an air-deflecting member disposed to intercept air flowing through said first-mentioned member and to deflect it laterally outwardly; outwardly-extending, rigid arms fixed on said deflecting member, said arms having at the outer ends elongated slots extending parallel with the longitudinal :axis of the unit; inwardly projecting members supported in said first-mentioned member, said members being in frictional contact with said arms; and fastening means extending through and slidable in said slots for maintaining the said frictional contact and providing slidable adjustment of said arms and said members with respect to said inner surface, whereby the deflector member is axially adjustable of said hollow, outwardly flaring member.

2. An air distribution unit comprising a hollow, outwardly flaring member through which flows air supplied to the unit; an air deflecting member disposed to intercept air flowing through said first-mentioned member and to deflect it laterally outwardly; outwardly-extending, rigid arms fixed on said deflecting member; said arms having at their outer ends elongated slots extending parallel with the longitudinal axis of the unit; inwardly projecting plates frictionally engaging said arms and held in adjustable relationship with said arms by cooperating members extending through and slidable in said slots and means for mounting said plates in said hollow, outwardly flaring member.

3. An air distribution unit comprising a hollow, outwardly flaring member through which flows air supplied to the unit; an air deflecting member disposed to intercept air flowing through said outwardly flaring member and to deflect it laterally outwardly; outwardly-extending, rigid arms fixed on said deflecting member; the outer ends of each of said arms having an elongated slot parallel with the longitudinal axis of the unit; plates mounted in slidable, frictional contact with said arms; means extending through said slots for holding said plates and arms in frictional, adjustable contact; protrusions on said arms in alignment parallel with the axis of the unit and engaging a straight, slidably contacting edge on each of said piates for preventing rotation thereof; and means for mounting said plates in said hollow, outwardly flaring member, whereby the deflector member is axially adjustable of the hollow, outwardly flaring member.

4. An air distribution unit comprising a hollow member through which flows air supplied to the unit; the inner face of said member, progressing in the direction of air flow through the unit, having an outwardly flaring surface and a concave surface terminating in a marginal surface of lesser outward flare; a plurality of hollow, outwardly flaring, progressively smaller, concentric deflector members positioned concentrically of said firstmentioned hollow member to intercept air flowing therethrough and deflect it laterally outwardly; said deflector members being fixed to a plurality of outwardly-extend;

ing arms to provide a rigid, unitary assembly; said arms having at the outer ends thereof elongated slots extending parallel with the longitudinal axis of the unit; inwardly projecting members supported in said first-mentioned member, said members being in frictional contact with said arms; and fastening means extending through and slidable in said slots for maintaining the said frictional contact and providing slidable adjustment of said arms and said members with respect to said inner surface, whereby the deflector members are axially adjustable of said hollow, outwardly flaring member.

5. An air distribution unit comprising a hollow member through which flows air supplied to the unit; the inner face of said member, progressing in the direction of air flow through the unit, having an outwardly flaring "surface and a concave surface terminating in a marginal surface of lesser outward flare; a plurality of hollow, outwardly flaring progressively smaller, concentric deflector members positioned concentrically of said first-mentioned hollow member to intercept air flowing therethrough and deflect it laterally outwardly; said deflector members being fixed to a plurality of outwardly extending arms to provide a rigid, unitary assembly; said arms having at their outer ends elongated slots extending parallel with the longitudinal axis of the unit; inwardly projecting plates frictionally engaging said arms and held in adjustable relationship with said arms by cooperating members extending through and slidable in said slots; and means for supporting said plates in said first-mentioned hollow, outwardly flaring member.

6. An air distribution unit comprising a hollow memher through which flows air supplied to the unit; the iner face of said member, progressing in the direction of air flow through the unit, having an outwardly flaring surface and a concave surface terminating in a marginal surface of lesser outward flare; a plurality of hollow, outwardly flaring, progressively smaller, concentric deflector members positioned concentrically of said firstmentioned hollow member to intercept air flowing therethrough and deflect it laterally outwardly; said deflector members being fixed to a plurality of outwardly extending arms to provide a rigid, unitary assembly; the outer ends of each of said arms having an elongated slot parallel with the longitudinal axis of the unit; plates mounted in slidable, frictional contact with said arms; fastening means extending through said slots for holding said plates and arms in frictional, adjustable contact; protrusions on said arms in alignment parallel with the axis of said unit and engaging a straight, slidably contacting edge on each of said plates for preventing rotation thereof; and means for mounting said plates in said first-mentioned, hollow, outwardly flaring member, whereby the deflector members are axially adjustable of the hollow, outwardly flaring member.

7. An air distribution unit comprising a hollow, outwardly flaring member through which flows air supplied to the unit; an air deflecting member disposed to intercept air flowing through said outwardly flaring member and to deflect it laterally outwardly; outwardly-extending, rigid arms fixed on said deflecting member; adjustable means at the outer ends of each of said arms having an elongated slot parallel with the longitudinal axis of the unit and a mounting member mounted in slidable, frictional contact therewith; fastening means extending through said slots for holding said members in frictional adjustable contact; locking members mounted on the inner wall of said hollow, outwardly flaring member and having an inclined, upper surface terminating in a detent portion in said upper surface; a cooperating latch having an outwardly directed latching surface radially positioned to engage and ride on said inclined, upper surface and also to seat in said detent portion on each of said mounting members for locking engagement with said detent portion upon rotation of the deflector member assembly as most edges of said members being straight and parallel with the longitudinal axis of the unit, each of the straight edges slidably engaging a flat surface on the corresponding locking members, thereby preventing rotation of said plates; and at least one spring steel member having one end mounted on at least one of said mounting members and a free end bearing against the inner surface of said hollow, outwardly flaring member when the unit is assembled for urging said latch into said detent.

8. An air distribution unit comprising a hollow, outwardly flaring member through which flows air supplied to the unit; an air deflecting member disposed to intercept air flowing through said outwardly flaring member and to deflect it laterally outwardly; outwardly extending, rigid arms fixed on said deflecting member; the air deflecting member being removably mounted on the hollow, outwardly flaring member by locking members having an inclined surface ending in a vertical edge forming a detent portion and cooperating latches adapted to be seated in said detents, the locking members being on one of the inner surfaces of said hollow, outwardly flaring member and said arms and the latches being on the other of said inner surfaces and said arms; and at least one spring steel member having one end mounted on at least one of said arms and a free end bearing against the inner surface of said hollow, outwardly flaring member when the unit is assembled for urging said latch into said detent.

9. An air distribution unit comprising a hollow, outwardly flaring member through which flows air supplied to the unit; an air deflecting member disposed to intercept air flowing through said first-mentioned member and to deflect it laterally outwardly; outwardly extending arms fixed on said deflecting member; locking members on the inner wall of said hollow, outwardly flaring member, said lock-ing members having an inclined upper surface terminating in vertical walls forming part of detent portions in which are removably seated latches on said arms; and spring means mounted on said arms bearing against the inner surface of said hollow, outwardly flaring member and thereby urging said latches into said detents.

10. An air distribution unit comprising a hollow, outwardly flaring member through which flows air supplied to the unit; an air deflecting member disposed to intercept air flowing through said outwardly flaring member and to deflect it laterally outwardly; outwardly extending, rigid arms fixed on said deflecting member; L-shaped locking members, one leg of the L-shaped members being mounted on the inner wall of said hollow, outwardly flaring member, the other legs extending transversely of said unit and terminating in a free end and having an inclined, upper surface beginning at said free end and terminating in a vertical wall forming part of a detent in said upper surface; a cooperating latch on the outer ends of said arms for removably engaging said inclined surface and detent.

11. An air distribution unit comprising a hollow, outwardly flaring member through which flows air supplied to the unit; an air deflecting member disposed to intercept air flowing through said outwardly flaring member and to deflect it laterally outwardly; outwardly extending, rigid arms fixed on said deflecting member; L-shaped locking members, one leg of the L-shaped members being mounted on the inner wall of said hollow, outwardly flaring member, the other legs extending transversely of said unit and terminating in a free end and having an inclined, upper surface beginning at said free end and terminating in a vertical edge forming part of a detent in said upper surface; a cooperating latch on the outer ends of said arms for removably engaging said inclined surface and detent; and at least one spring steel member having one end mounted on at least one of said arms in said hollow member; at least a portion of the outerand a free end bearing against the inner surface of s i 9 hollow, outwardly flaring member when the unit is assembled for urging said latch into said detent.

12. An air distribution unit comprising a hollow, outwardly flaring member through which flows air supplied to the unit; an air deflecting member disposed to intercept air flowing through said first-mentioned member and to deflect it laterally outwardly; outwardly-extending, rigid arms fixed on said deflecting member; means mounting said arms in said first-mentioned member; and slidetension means positioned at the outer end-s of each of said arms connecting said arms with the mounting means for longitudinal adjusting of the position of said members with respect to each other.

13. An air distribution unit comprising a hollow, outwardly flaring member through which flows air supplied to the unit; an air deflecting member disposed to intercept air flowing through said first-mentioned member and to deflect it laterally outwardly; outwardly-extending, rigid arms fixed on said deflecting member; each arm having a first channel mounted thereon with the axis of said channel parallel with the axis of said unit, said first channel having an elongated, longitudinal slot therein; second channels nested in said first channels in longitudinally slidable relationship therewith; means extending through and slidable in said slot for holding the two channels in nesting relationship; and means on said second channel for attachment thereof to the outer mounting member.

14. An air distribution unit comprising a hollow member through which flows air supplied to the unit; the inner face of said member, progressing in the direction of air flow through the unit, having an outwardly flaring surface and a concave surface terminating in a marginal surface of lesser outward flare; a plurality of hollow, outwardly flaring, progressively smaller, concentric deflector members positioned concentrically of said first-mentioned hollow member to intercept air flowing therethrough and deflect it laterally outwardly; said deflector members being fixed to a plurality of outwardly-extending arms to provide a rigid, unitary assembly; means mounting said arms in said first-mentioned member; and slidetension means positioned at the outer ends of each of said arms connecting said arms with the mounting means for longitudinal adjusting of the position of said unitary assembly with respect to said first-mentioned member.

An air distribution unit comprising a hollow member through which flows air supplied to the unit; the inner face of said member, progressing in the direction of air flow through the unit, having an outwardly flaring surface and a concave surface terminating in a marginal surface of lesser outward flare; a plurality of hollow, outwardly flaring, progressively smaller, concentric deflector members positioned concentrically of said firstmentioned hollow member to intercept air flowing therethrough and deflect it laterally outwardly; said deflector members being fixed to a plurality of outwardly-extending arms to provide a rigid, unitary assembly; each arm having a first channel mounted thereon with the axis of said channel being parallel with the axis of said unit, said first channel having an elongated, longitudinal slot therein; second channels nested in said first channels in longitudinally slidable relationship therewith; means extending through and slidable in said slot for holding the two channels in nesting relationship; and means on said second channel for attachment thereof to said first-mentioned hollow member.

16. An attachment for air distribution units having spider arms rigidly interconnecting a concentric series of outwardly flaring, hollow air deflecting members which are mounted in a hollow, outwardly flaring, outer, mounting and deflecting member, said attachment comprising: a first channel adapted to be attached to a spider arm, said first channel having an elongated, longitudinal slot therein; a second channel nested in said first channel in longitudinally slidable relationship therewith; means extending through and slidable in said slot for holding the two channels in nesting relationship; and means on said second channel adapted for attachment thereof to the outer, mounting and deflecting member.

17. An attachment for air distribution units having spider aims rigidly interconnecting a concentric series of outwardly flaring, hollow air deflecting members which are mounted in a hollow, outwardly flaring, outer, mounting and deflecting member, said attachment comprising: a first channel adapted to be attached to a spider arm, said first channel having an elongated, longitudinal slot therein; a second channel nested in said first channel in longitudially slidable relationship therewith; means extending through and slidable in said slot for holding the two channels in nesting relationship; one of the legs of said second channel extending further than the other leg; the extended leg having a latching edge; and a flat spring steel member mounted on the lower edge of the extended leg, said spring steel member extending laterally from the extended leg.

18. An air distribution unit comprising a hollow outwardly flaring member through which flows air supplied to the unit; an air deflecting member disposed to intercept air flowing through said first-mentioned member and to deflect it laterally outward; outwardly-extending, rigid arms fixed on said deflecting member; each arm having a first channel mounted thereon with the axis of said channel being parallel with the axis of said unit; second channels nested in said first channels in longitudinally slid-able relationship therewith; and means on said second channel for attachment thereof to the outer mounting member.

19. An air distribution unit comprising a hollow member through which flows air supplied to the unit; the inner face of said member, progressing in the direction of air flow through the unit, having an outwardly flaring surface and a concave surface terminating in a marginal surface of lesser outward flare; a plurality of hollow, outwardly flaring, progressively smaller, concentric deflector members positioned concentrically of said firstrnentioned hollow member to intercept air flowing there through and deflect it laterally outwardly; said deflector members being fixed to a plurality of outwardly-extending arms to provide a rigid, unitary assembly; each arm having a first channel mounted thereon with the axis of said channel being parallel with the axis of said unit; second channels nested in said first channels means retaining said channels together in longitudinally slidable, nested relationship therewith; and means on said second channel for attachment thereof to said first-mentioned hollow member.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,125,454 Marshall Aug. 2, 1938 2,269,376 ODay Jan. 6, 1942 2,369,119 Dauphinee Feb. 13, 1945 2,603,141 Phillips et al. July 15, 1952 2,616,355 McCabe et a1. Nov. 4, 1952 2,627,799 Kurth Feb. 10, 1953 2,780,980 Kennedy Feb. 12, 1957