US3677165A - Adjustable air pattern air diffuser - Google Patents

Abstract

An air diffuser providing a selectively adjustable air distribution pattern for use in combination with lighting fixtures or the like. An air distributing plenum is formed by an inner wall surrounding the lighting fixture, or the like and an outer wall spaced from the inner wall and defining an air flow channel between said walls leading to an outlet adjacent the open end of the lighting fixture. The pattern of discharge of air from the channel outlet is selectively controlled by means of an elastic deflector band surrounding and elastically gripping the inner wall, said band extending into the air path in the channel and subject to selective positioning with respect to the channel outlet to deflect the air discharge from the outlet.

Description

[ 51 July 18,1972

United States Patent Gibbs et al.

3,448,675 6/1969 Davies.................................98/40DL 3,406,623 10/1968 Lambert...............................

[54] ADJUSTABLE AIR PATTERN AIR I DIFFUSER [72] inventors: James C.

Gibbs; Harry Daninhersch, both Primary Examiner-William E. Wayner Attorney-Munson 8:. Fiddler of Danbury, Conn.

[73] Assignee: Connor Engineering Corporation, Danbury, Conn.

- ABSTRACT An air diffuser providing a selectively adjustable air distribu tion pattern for use in combination with lighting fixtures or the like. An air distributing plenum is formed by an inner wall sur- 0 7 9 l L m3 MD. FA 1] 21 or the like and an outer wall spaced from the inner wall and defining an air flow channel rounding the lighting fixture,

between said walls leading to an outlet adjacent the open end. of the lighting fixture. The pattern of discharge of air from the M 0 83 4 31% M L2. BT20 0 l4 4 "U w WS 9 m nmnb munwo am 1W 3 Mmh "mm Ga s m UhF H 555 channel outlet is selectively controlled by means of an elastic deflector band surrounding and elastically gripping the inner wall, said band extending into theair path in the channel and subject to selective positioning with respect to the channel outlet to deflect the air discharge from the outlet.

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Straub DL 5 Clains, 3 Drawing figures Patnted July 18, 1972 INVENTORS JAMES C. GIBBS HARRY DANINHERSCH ATTORNEYS.

ADJUSTABLE AIR PATTERN AIR DIFFUSER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to the art of air diffusers, and more particularly to improved means for selectively varying the air distribution pattern of the air being distributed from an air diffuser of the type employed in connection with lighting fixtures.

There have been evolved over the years a variety of combined lighting fixtures and air diffusers in which a light bulb enclosing housing is surrounded by an air plenum coupled to an appropriate source of air from an air conditioning or ventilating system. Thus by the installation of a single fixture, both the lighting fixture and air distribution outlet is provided. In arranging these fixtures in a given room or other area, primary consideration is generally given to the positioning of the fixture so as to obtain desired lighting patterns in the area. In order to insure desired distribution of the air from the fixture to the area, it is necessary that appropriate baffling be arranged in the plenum to deflect the discharged air in desired directions in the room or other area.

Such baffling, if pre-formed in the plenum, prevents subsequent adjustment such as would be required where conditions in the room or area are changed, as where different pieces of equipment are brought into the area, or there are different furniture arrangements, or other changes of occupancy.

In order to provide for selective adjustment of the air distribution pattern, relatively complex mechanical baffles have been employed, which increase the cost of the fixture, and which cut down air flow by virtue of the interposition of the baffling in the air flow path.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION It is with the above considerations in mind, that the present improved adjustable air pattern air diffuser has been evolved providing a relatively simple and inexpensive means for selectively varying the air flow path from an air diffuser whereby the air distribution path from the discharge opening of an air plenum such as used in connection with lighting fixtures, may be selectively varied to provide a vertical air distribution pattern or a horizontal distribution pattern, with intermediate distribution patterns subject to selective attainment.

It is accordingly among the primary objects of this invention to provide an improved combined air diffuser and lighting fixture with air distribution patterns subject to selective adjustment.

A further object of the invention is to provide means for selectively adjusting air distribution patterns on air diffusers as employed in connection with lighting fixtures.

Another object of the invention is to provide a simple and inexpensive means for selectively varying air distribution patterns in an air diffuser.

It is also an object of the invention to provide means for selectively varying air distribution patterns in an air diffuser which minimizes interference with air flow.

These and other objects of the invention which will become hereafter apparent are achieved by forming a combined lighting and air diffuser fixture with a light enclosing housing defined by an interior wall member, and an air flow channel formed between the exterior of the interior wall member, and a spaced exterior wall member. An outlet is provided between said wall members, and an elastic deflector band extending into the channel is arranged to encircle the inner wall and elastically grip same so as to be retained in any selective position in said channel in which positioned. By moving the elastic deflector band with respect to the air channel outlet, the air flow path through the channel may be deflected to provide selective variation between a position substantially in line with the axis of the air flow channel to a position substantially at right angles to the axis of the air flow channel. Thus with a conventional downlight fixture combined with an air plenum, such as is installed in ceilings, air distribution patterns varying from a horizontal air pattern to a vertical air pattern may be obtained.

A feature of the invention resides in the use of a semi-O-ring or rubber or the like elastomeric material of a dimension such as to elastically grip the interior wall of the air plenum, with the flat surface of the ring lying along the interior wall of the plenum, so as to prevent rolling of the elastic member.

An additional feature is that the rounded surface of the O- ring ofi'ers minimal interference with the deflected air stream flow.

Another feature of the invention resides in the fact that the simple, and relatively inexpensive semi-O-ring may be readily installed at any time and adjusted to provide desired air flow patterns.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The specific details of a preferred embodiment of the invention, and their mode of functioning will be particularly pointed out in clear, concise, and exact terms in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a cross sectional elevational view through a typical recessed incandescent or down light fixture-air diffuser plenum to which the instant inventive concept has been applied;

FIG. 2 is a schematic detail view at the discharge opening of the air diffuser-light fixture shown in FIG. 1 with the selectively positionable elastic air deflecting member made in accordance with the teachings of this invention arranged to provide for vertical air discharge; and

FIG. 3 is a schematic cross sectional elevational view showing the discharge opening of the plenum, and illustrating the positioning of the elastic deflecting member to provide for substantially horizontal air distribution patterns from the plenum.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION Referring now more particularly to the drawings, like numerals in the various figures will be employed to designate like parts.

As best seen in FIG. 1, the combined air diffuser and light fixture 10 shown as formed to provide what is referred to in the trade as a recessed incandescent or down light fixture 12 combined with an air diffuser 14.

The light fixture 12, as illustrated is formed with light reflector 15 arranged beneath bulb housing 16 in which a flood lamp 17 is illustratively shown as positioned. The lamp bulb 17 is held in socket l8, and the bulb, reflector and socket are all enclosed within a conventional sheet metal housing 19 having a lower wall 20. As will be observed, the housing 19 is spaced from the bulb enclosure and reflector to provide an air insulating chamber between the housing and enclosure. It will of course be understood by those skilled in the art that the illustrated fixture 10 is circular in horizontal cross section which is transverse to the illustrated elevation.

The lower wall 20 of housing forms the inner wall of air plenum 25 which is formed by the channel defined between inner wall 20 and exterior wall 27.

The plenum 25, as will be understood by those skilled in the art surrounds the light enclosure, extending circumferentially thereabout, and is adapted for coupling by duct 29 to an appropriate source of air, as from an air conditioning system or the like. The channel forming plenum 25 has an outlet 30 at the lower end thereof from which the air may pass from the air flow channel provided by the plenum 25. In the illustrated embodiment, an interior deflection plate 32 is circumferentially arranged on the interior of outer wall 27. Lower deflection flange 34 is provided extending from reflector 15.

In order to provide for control of the distribution of air from outlet 30 of the air flow channel provided by plenum 25, a selectively positionable deflector band 35 is provided for selective positioning about inner wall 20. The deflector band, as illustrated, is formed of an endless configuration, semi-circular in cross section, and of an elastomeric material. The diameter of the elastic band is selected of a dimension slightly smaller than the circumference of the inner wall 20, so that the band must be slightly stretched over the inner wall 20, as a result of which it will elastically grip and encircle the inner wall. The diameter of the band in cross section is selected of a size equal to l-30 percent of the distance between the inner wall 20 and outer wall 27 of plenum 25, so that the band 35 when positioned in elastically gripping engagement on inner wall 20 will extend between and 15 percent into the plenum 25.

OPERATION In use, the aforedeseribed fixture is adapted for positioning in a given room or area, subject to coupling to an appropriate air supply system, and appropriate wiring to energize the light bulb 17, and to provide for air flow through plenum 25.

In the illustrated embodiment, the fixture is of a recessed incandescent or down liGht type adapted for ceiling installation, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Fixtures of this type are conventionally installed in the ceiling C, as shown in FIG. 1.

Air flow from duct 29 enters the plenum 25 surrounding the light enclosure, and flows downwardly through the air flow channel provided by plenum 25, in the direction illustrated by the dash line and arrows in FIGS. 2 and 3, over interior deflection plate 32, and deflection flange 34 out to the room or other area in which the fixture is positioned.

By selecting the point of positioning of the deflector band 35, the air distribution pattern from the air emerging from outlet 30 may be selectively varied.

Thus as illustrated in FIG. 2, with deflection band 35 positioned adjacent deflector flange 34 beneath interior deflection plate 32, a substantially vertical air distribution pattern may be obtained.

By raising the deflection band 35 to the position illustrated in FIG. 3, above interior deflection plate 32, air flow is as indicated by the arrows in FIG. 3 to provide a substantially horizontal air distribution pattern.

By varying the position of the band, the air distribution pattern may be varied.

As a result of this relatively simple and inexpensive expedient, employing the elastic air deflector band 35, installation of the fixture, and subsequent adjustment to provide desired air distribution patterns in a conditioned area is substantially expedited in an economical and efficient fashion.

What is claimed is:

1. An adjustable air pattern air diffuser comprising:

an interior wall member; an exterior wall member spaced from said interior wall member and defining an air flow channel between said wall members, said air flow chamber having an outlet between said wall members; and an elastic deflection band extending into said channel, elastically gripping and encircling said inner wall within said air flow channel, said band mounted for selec tive shifting over said inner wall to selectively deflect the air stream in said air flow channel prior to its exhaust through said outlet.

2. An adjustable air pattern air difl'user as in claim 1 in which said channel is formed with a fixed deflector plate on the outer wall thereof extending into said channel.

3. An adjustable air pattern air diffuser in which said air channel is formed with a deflector flange at the channel outlet.

4. An adjustable air pattern air diffuser in which said deflection band has an arcuate surface extending into the channel.

5. An adjustable air pattern air diffuser as in claim 1 in which said elastic band comprises a semi-O-ring, the diameter of said ring in cross section being between 10-20 percent of the distance across said channel.

k i k

Claims (5)

1. An adjustable air pattern air diffuser comprising: an interior wall member; an exterior wall member spaced from said interior wall member and defining an air flow channel between said wall members, said air flow chamber having an outlet between said wall members; and an elastic deflection band Extending into said channel, elastically gripping and encircling said inner wall within said air flow channel, said band mounted for selective shifting over said inner wall to selectively deflect the air stream in said air flow channel prior to its exhaust through said outlet.

2. An adjustable air pattern air diffuser as in claim 1 in which said channel is formed with a fixed deflector plate on the outer wall thereof extending into said channel.

3. An adjustable air pattern air diffuser in which said air channel is formed with a deflector flange at the channel outlet.

4. An adjustable air pattern air diffuser in which said deflection band has an arcuate surface extending into the channel.

5. An adjustable air pattern air diffuser as in claim 1 in which said elastic band comprises a semi-O-ring, the diameter of said ring in cross section being between 10-20 percent of the distance across said channel.

Images