WO2002066272A2

WO2002066272A2 - Motor vehicle dashboard vent air filter

Info

Publication number: WO2002066272A2
Application number: PCT/US2002/004288
Authority: WO
Inventors: Sinil Kim
Original assignee: Sinil Kim
Priority date: 2001-02-15
Filing date: 2002-02-13
Publication date: 2002-08-29
Also published as: WO2002066272A3; AU2002251938A1

Abstract

An air filtration appliance (10) for use in combination with air vent having a grill, louver, or register comprises an air filter having an air entrance side (23) and an air exit side, a mounting means (30) for engaging the louver, and an attaching means (32) for fastening the mounting means to the air entrance side.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention.

This invention relates generally to dashboard a -cleaning devices for use in a motor vehicle such as for a car, truck, or airplane; and in particular, to air-cleaning devices of a type that fits over existing air vent having grill, louver, or register.

2. Description of the Prior Art

It is commonly accepted that motor-vehicle internal combustion engines must have clean au^¬ to operate properly, essentially to avoid costly engine repairs. However, providing clean air for the human occupants of motor vehicle has been largely ignored except in a few expensive luxury motorcars. Presently therefore, the average motorist cannot attain the "luxury" of pre-filtered passenger compartment air; so are constantly exposed en masse to the road-vehicle air pollution such as automobile exhaust fumes, carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, oxides of nitrogen, soot, rubber-tire dusts, and brake liner asbestos fibers. Many of the pollutants, such as benzene, toluene, or MTBE, are known to cause cancer or reproductive harm. In addition, microorganisms tend to grow on heat exchangers of moist air-conditioners or warm heaters, resulting in musty air being blown into the cabin through the air vents. The musty smell is most noticeable when the ventilation or air conditioner fan is first turned on. Perhaps the reason people feel so exhausted and tired after a drive on crowded highways may be due to the inhalation of these pollutants. Hence, a system devised to ameliorate this condition would contribute to a motorist's well being and thus increase automobile safety.

In the past, most of the efforts to cleanse air being discharged into the passenger compartment have been directed toward placing a filter within the air inlet or ducting system thereto, as have been patented previously. Examples of such include Helwit in U.S. Pat. # 3,941,034 (filed: 7/1974), Bach in French Pat. # 2,636,013 (filed 2/1989), Arold in U.S. Pat. # 5,169,356 (filed: 7/1991, to Mercedes- Benz), Kowalczyk in U.S. Pat. # 5,192,346 (filed: 7/1992), Gould in U.S. Pat # 5,350,444 (filed 4/1993), Chiba in U.S. Pat. # 5,368,620(filed 8/1993), Hein in German Pat. #4,303,693 (filed: 9/1993). These prior art filtering apparatus also have the disadvantage of requiring OEM (Original Equip. Mfg.) modification to the vehicle structure; hence, are not really adaptable for retrofitting of existing operating vehicles. In addition, the prior art filtering described cannot effectively capture the mildew and mold tending to fester upon the heat-exchangers of moist air conditioners or heaters blown into the passenger compartment.

Kim in U.S. Pat # 6,080,059 (filed October 20, 1999) and U.S. Pat. #6,019,676 (filed y 24, 1997) disclosed motor-vehicle a cabin vent air filters that fits over air vent and held in place through a mounting means which grasps the louvers. However, the mounting means in these prior arts involve a penetration through the filter media and attachment to the air exit side of the filter. Hence, they have major disadvantages of creating an undesirable channel in filter media and complicating filter media replacement. In addition, one end of the mounting means is prominently visible and protrudes out when the filter is mounted on louvers because the mounting means is attached to the filter at the air exit side of the filter. Such visibility and protrusion of mounting means not only degrades the aesthetic appearance of the filter appliance, but also may increase risks of injury (albeit small and hypothetical) in the event of a crash. In addition, the use of adhesive polymer or hook-and-loop fastener directly on the dashboard fascia in the prior art can potentially leave residue that can mar the surface of dashboard and make it difficult to remove the filter appliance completely. Finally, Kim's prior art motor vehicle cabin vent air filter lack directional control over the filtered air flowing out into the motor vehicle cabin. Therefore, in full consideration of the preceding patent review, there is determined a need for an improved form of air filtration appliance. The instant inventor hereof believes his newly improved air filtering appliance exhibits certain advantages as shall be revealed in the subsequent portion of this instant disclosure

In view of the foregoing discussion about the prior art, the object of this invention is to provide a motor vehicle dashboard air filtration appliance with enhanced appearance and safety.

It is another objective of this invention to provide a motor vehicle dashboard air filtration appliance easily mountable onto registers, louvers, or grills of existing air vents without involving modification to the vehicle.

It is another objective of this invention to provide a motor vehicle dashboard air filtration appliance easily removable from the registers, louvers, or grills of dashboard air vents without leaving residue on motor vehicle dashboard.

It is another objective of this invention to provide a motor vehicle dashboard air filtration appliance that is self-aligning during mounting to louvers of existing motor vehicles.

It is another objective of this invention to provide a means for directional control over the filtered air flowing out from the filtration appliance into the motor vehicle cabin.

It is further object of this invention disclosure to set forth a passenger compartment air cleaning appliance, which treats the air as it instantly enters the passenger compartment cabin confines; and, for this reason, is considered more likely to be properly serviced periodically. Owing to the more convenient and accessible location, it becomes an item that the average motorist should be able to attend to as well as a mechanic. Hence, a substantial saving in labor cost results. Accordingly, the preferred embodiment of this disclosure includes a mounting means that is hidden from air exit side of the filter appliance and allows substantially tool-free mounting of the filter appliance onto grill, louver, or register of motor-vehicle dashboard air vent.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, an air filtration appliance for use with a louver, grill, or register of motor-vehicle dashboard air vent having at least one aperture, comprises: a) an air filter having an air entrance side and an air exit side; b) a mounting means for engaging the louver, grill, or register; and c) an attaching means for fastening the mounting means to the air entrance side of the air filter

Another embodiment of air filtration appliance for use with a louver, grill, or register of motor-vehicle dashboard air vent, useful for filtering air entering motor-vehicle cabin comprises: a) a housing having substantially opposing air entrance side and air exit side; b) an air filter media adapted to reside within the housing; c) a mounting means for engaging the louver, grill, or register; and d) an attaching means for fastening the mounting means to the air entrance side of the housing.

Still another embodiment of an air filtration appliance for use with a grill, louver, or register of motor-vehicle dashboard air vent, useful for filtering air entering motor-vehicle cabin, comprises: a) a housing having substantially opposing air entrance side and air exit side; b) a directional control means at the air exit side of said housing for controlling direction of the air entering motor-vehicle cabin; c) an air filter media adapted to reside within said housing; d) a mounting means for engaging said louver, grill, or register; and d) an attaching means for fastening said mounting means to said housing.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT DRAWINGS

The foregoing and still other objects of this invention will become fully apparent, along with various advantages and features of novelty residing in the present embodiments, from study of the following description of the variant generic species embodiments and study of the ensuing description of these embodiments. Wherein indicia of reference are shown to match related matter stated in the text, as well as the Claims section annexed hereto; and accordingly, a better understanding of the invention and the variant uses is intended, by reference to the drawings, which are considered as primarily exemplary and not to be therefore construed as restrictive in nature.

Figure 1, panel A is a pictorial view of an existing (not necessarily patented) OEM prior art dashboard structural configuration; panel B is cross-sectional view of a prior art air filtration appliance.

Figure 2 is a frontal view of the air filtration appliance.

Figure 3 is a side view of the air filtration appliance.

Figure 4 is a top view, of the air filtration appliance.

Figure 5 is a posterior view of the air filtration appliance.

Figure 6 is a front elevation view of the air filtration appliance mounted on a grill, louver, or register of motor vehicle dashboard air vent.

Figure 7 is a cross sectional top view of the air filtration appliance, unmounted.

Figure 8 is a cross sectional side view of the air filtration appliance, unmounted.

Figure 9 is a side elevation view of the mounting means.

Figure 10 is a side elevation view of the mounting means engaged on a grill, louver, or register of motor vehicle dashboard air vent.

Figure 11 is a frontal view of a pair of mounting means engaged on a grill, louver, or register of motor vehicle dashboard air vent.

Figure 12 is a view of the engaged mounting means ready to be fastened to the air entrance side of air filter.

Figure 13 is a view of the filter appliance being mounted on left half of an air vent with the mounting means (now bidden from view) fastened to the air entrance side of air filter (also hidden from view). Figure 14 is a side elevated view of mounted filter appliance.

Figure 15 is a frontal view of mounted filter appliance.

Figure 16 is a self-aligning mounting means.

Figure 17 is a diagram of self-aligning mounting means before (panel A & C) and after (panel B & D) engaging a louver of motor vehicle dashboard air vent.

Figure 18 is a cross sectional side view of the air filtration appliance with self-aligning mounting means, not engaged to grill, louver, or register of motor vehicle dashboard air vent.

Figure 19 is a cross sectional side view of the air filtration appliance with a mounting means that is a spring in a relaxed state. The latch means is a hook at one spring leg terminus that engages the other spring leg terminus.

Figure 20 is a cross sectional side view of the air filtration appliance with a mounting means mat is a spring in a tensioned state, with the hook engaged with the other spring leg terminus.

Figure 21 is a cross sectional side view of the air filtration appliance with a mounting means that is a spring, in a tensioned state. The sliding retainer is positioned near spring leg termini for juxtaposing the two spring leg termini together.

Figure 22 is a cross sectional side view of the air filtration appliance with a mounting means that is a spring, in a relaxed state. The sliding retainer is positioned near the coil to allow the spring leg termini to separate from each other.

Figure 23 is a cross sectional side view of the air filtration appliance with a spring mounting means, at the beginning (Fig. 23 A) and at the end (Fig. 23B) of insertion process.

Figure 24 is a cross sectional side view of the air filtration appliance without an air filter housing, not engaged to grill, louver, or register of motor vehicle dashboard air vent.

ITEMIZED NOMENCLATURE REFERENCES

10 Air filtration appliance

11 Instrument panel cluster

12 Filter housing louver, adjustable (flow direction control means)

13 Door window glass

14 Air filter air exit side

15 Rectangular air vent

16 Air filter air entrance side

17 Vertical axis

18 Air filter media

19 Blown air

20 Resilient filter bezel

21 Air filter housing air exit side

22 Motor vehicle dashboard

23 Air filter housing air entrance side

24 Circular air vent 26 Swivel axis

28 Air filter

30 Mounting means

31 Bifurcated louver-grasping device

32 Attaching means

36 Finger of mounting means

38 Hooks

40 Motor vehicle dashboard air vent

42 Air vent grill, louver, or register

43 Foramen or aperture of air vent grill, louver, or register

44 Hook of attaching means 46 Loop of attaching means 50 Installer's finger

52 Spring

54 Coil portion of spring

56 Spring leg

60' Terminus portion of spring leg with latch means

60 Terminus portion of spring leg

62 Spring release means

64 Sliding retainer

66 Sliding retainer slit or hole

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Initial reference is given by way of prior-art Fig. 1, panel A, wherein is exhibited a portion of an OEM transverse dashboard 22, and right-side door window glass 13. The left side of the dashboard 22 generally includes an instrument-panel cluster 11, shown here including an exemplified circular dashboard air vent having grill, register, or louvers 42. To the far right side of the dashboard is shown an exemplified companion air vent grill, register, or louver, but of the rectangular type, usually comprised of variable-pitch angle louvers 42 which are manually adjustable from closed to open (as shown here); usually both such exemplified air vent being arranged in fluid-communication with a common air-ducting system, details of which are not depicted here in as much as the invention is only concerned with the instantly air venting provisions. Fig. 1, panel B, shows a cross-sectional view of a prior art air filtration appliance 10 attached to a motor-vehicle air vent 40, according to Kim in U.S. Pat # 6,080,059 (filed October 20, 1999). Note in this prior art embodiment, one end of the mounting means 30 is engaged to the air vent louver 42, the other end of the mounting means 30 is fastened to the air filter housing air exit side 21, and the mounting means 30 penetrates through the air filter media 18. Hence, this prior art embodiment has major disadvantages of creating an undesirable channel in the filter media 18 and complicating filter media replacement. In addition, one end (the right end in Fig. 1-B) of the mounting means is prominently visible and protrudes out when the filter is engaged on louvers because the mounting means is attached to the filter housing at the air exit side. Such visibility and protrusion of mounting means not only degrades the aesthetic appearance of the filter appliance, but also may increase risks of injury (albeit small and hypothetical) in the event of a crash.

A frontal view of an improved air filtration appliance is shown in Figure 2. Panels A and B are two alternate embodiments. This figure shows air filter 28, air filter housing air exit side 21 with a directional control means, i.e. filter housing louver 12, which controls the direction of air flow as the air exits from the air filter exit side 14. The filter-housing louver 12 is preferably adjustable such that the direction of the airflow can be adjusted to the user's preference. One preferred embodiment of adjustable filter housing louver 12 is by rotating means. The mounting means is hidden from air exit side the air filter and the mounting means does not protrude out from the air exit side. A side view of the air filtration appliance 10 is shown in Figure 3. The figure again shows air filter housing air exit side 21 with filter housing louver 12, which helps to determine the direction of air flow as the air exits from the air filter exit side 14. This view further shows the resilient filter bezel 20, which facilitates tight fitting of the air filtration appliance 10 with the motor vehicle air vent and decrease air leaks. Parts of the mounting means 30 are visible in this side view, but is obviously hidden from the air exit side. When the air filtration appliance 10 is mounted on motor vehicle air vent, the air exiting the air vent enters the filter appliance through the air filter air entrance side 16, flows through the filter media (not visible in this view) within the filter appliance 10, and finally flows out of the air filter housing air exit side 21 through the filter housing louver 12. Note that the mounting means 30 does not protrude out from the air filter housing air exit side 21. A top view of the air filtration appliance is shown in Figure 4. Again, this figure shows air filter housing air exit side 21 with filter housing louver 12, which helps to determine the direction of air flow as the air exits from the air filter exit side 14. This view also shows the resilient filter bezel 20, which facilitates fitting with the motor vehicle air vent and decrease air leaks around the filter appliance. Parts of the two mounting means 30 are also visible in this view, but is bidden from the air exit side. When the air filtration appliance 10 is mounted on motor vehicle air vent, the air exiting the air vent enters the filter appliance through the air filter air entrance side 16, flows through the filter media (not visible in this view) within the filter appliance 10, and finally flows out the air filter housing air exit side 21 through the filter housing louver 12.

A posterior view of the air filtration appliance 10 is depicted in Figure 5. The air filter housing air entrance side 23 has a plurality of large apertures through which the air enters the air filter air entrance side 16. The filter media 18 is easily visible. The two mounting means 30 are fastened to air entrance side 23 of the air filter housing by the attaching means, which is hook-and-loop fastener (Velcro®) in this embodiment. In another embodiment, mushroom-shaped stem interlock fastener (Dual Lock™ Reclosable Fastener from 3M™) is used as the attaching means. The advantage of the hook-and-loop fastener and mushroom-shaped stem interlock fastener are that they are easily detached when desired. In another embodiments, the attaching means is adhesive, e.g. cyanoacrylate, acrylic adhesive, epoxy adhesive, etc. In another embodiment, the attaching means is unitary construction with the air filter housing, wherein the mounting means 30 and the air entrance side 23 of the air filter housing are manufactured as a single unit, for example, as in an injection molded plastic piece. Still other embodiments of the attaching means include sliding gland joint, rivet, screw, pin, and weld. The sliding gland joint has an advantage of being adjustable, enabling the mounting means to be located at the optimal position.

A front elevation view of the air filtration appliance 10 mounted on left half of a grill, louver, or register 42 of motor vehicle dashboard air vent 40 is shown in Figure 6. The right half is not mounted with an air filtration appliance to show the grill, louver, or register 42 of motor vehicle dashboard air vent 40. The mounting means attached to air filter air entrance side (not shown) is hidden from air filter air exit side 14 and no part of the mounting means protrudes from the air exit side of the air filter. This figure shows air filter housing air exit side 21 with filter housing louver 12, which helps to determine the direction of air flow as the air exits from the air filter exit side 14.

A cross sectional top view of the air filtration appliance, unmounted, is shown in Figure 7. This figure shows air filter housing air exit side 21 with filter housing louver 12, which is a preferred embodiment of a directional control meals for imparting a flow direction to the air entering motor- vehicle cabin. This view also shows the resilient filter bezel 20, which facilitates fitting with the motor vehicle air vent and decrease air leaks around the filter appliance. The two mounting means 30 are for engaging the louver, grill, or register of air vent. The attaching means 32 fastens the mounting means to the air filter housing air entrance side 23, which is substantially opposing the air filter housing air exit side 21. Note that the mounting means 30 does not penetrate through the air filter media 18, and does not protrude out from the air filter housing air exit side 21. When the air filtration appliance 10 is mounted on motor vehicle air vent, the air exiting the air vent enters the filter appliance through the air filter air entrance side 16, flows through the filter media 18 within the filter appliance 10, and finally flows out the air filter housing air exit side 21 through the filter housing louver 12. The filter media 18 may be selected from the group comprising non-woven fibers, activated carbon, activated alumina or carbon impregnated with potassium permanganate, molecular sieves, porous polymer adsorbers, carbonized ion-exchangers, Zeolite, substances holding static-electricity, electrets, or combinations thereof. Gaseous, non-particulate air pollutants, such as volatile organic molecules, odorous chemicals, gasoline, benzene, toluene, creosote, and hydrocarbons are not removed by the standard air filtration substances designed for particulate removal. Activated carbon or activated charcoal is better suited for removal of gaseous, non-particulate air pollutants. Activated carbon or activated charcoal removes pollutant gases, odors, and organic gas phase molecules by adsorption. Molecules such as ammonia, formaldehyde, hydrogen sulfide, and sulfur dioxide are also removed by activated carbon or charcoal, but impregnated carbon or activated alumina with KMn0 (potassium permanganate) is much more efficient for removal of these noxious gases. Zeolite can also be used for removal of air pollutants. In some applications, it would be desirable to include an aromatic substance, which would provide an air-freshening effect appealing to some users, such as flower scent, pine scent, lemon scent, or other pleasant scents.

A cross sectional side view of the air filtration appliance, unmounted, is shown in Figure 8. This figure shows air filter housing air exit side 21 with filter housing louver 12, which helps to determine the direction of air flow as the air exits from the air filter exit side 14. This view also shows the resilient filter bezel 20, which facilitates fitting with the motor vehicle air vent and decrease air leaks around the filter appliance. The mounting means 30 is for engaging the louver, grill, or register of air vent. The attaching means 32 fastens the mounting means to the air filter housing air entrance side 23. Note that the mounting means 30 does not penetrate through the air filter media 18, and does not protrude out from the air filter housing air exit side 21. When the air filtration appliance 10 is mounted on motor vehicle air vent, the air exiting the air vent enters the filter appliance through the air filter air entrance side 16, flows through the filter media 18 within the filter appliance 10, and finally flows out the air filter housing air exit side 21 through the filter housing louver 12.

A side elevation view of the mounting means 30 for engaging the louver, grill, or register of air vent, is shown in Figure 9. The attaching means 32 fastens the mounting means to the air filter housing air entrance side 23. The core of mounting means 30 is preferably made of material with spring-like quality to give the mounting means 30 some louver-grasping ability. In this embodiment, the mounting means 30 comprises two fingers for grasping louver. To enable improved grasping of louvers, the fingers may further comprise hook, latch, or serration (not shown). A side elevation view of the mounting means 30 engaged on a grill, louver, or register 42 of motor vehicle dashboard air vent 40 is shown in Figure 10. The attaching means 32 is hook-and-loop fastener. A frontal view of a pair of mounting means 30 engaged on a grill, louver, or register 42 of motor vehicle dashboard air vent 40 is shown in Figure 11. The attaching means 32 is ready to be fastened to the air filter air entrance side.

Figure 12 is a perspective view of the engaged mounting means 30 with the attaching means 32, ready to be fastened to the air filter air entrance side 16. A finger 50 of the filter-installing person holding air filter 28 is visible in this view. As the air filter 28 is pushed firmly against the motor vehicle dashboard air vent 40, the hooks 44 of attaching means fastens onto the loops 46 on the air filter air entrances side 16. Figure 13 is a view of the filter appliance 10 being mounted on left half of an air vent with the mounting means (now hidden from view) fastened to the air entrance side of air filter (also hidden from view). Figure 14 is a side elevated view of mounted filter appliance 10. Figure 15 is a frontal view of air filtration appliance 10 mounted on left half of a grill, louver, or register 42 of motor vehicle dashboard air vent 40. The right half is not mounted with an air filtration appliance to show the grill, louver, or register 42 of motor vehicle dashboard air vent 40. The mounting means attached to air filter air entrance side (not shown) is hidden from air filter air exit side 14 and no part of the mounting means protrudes from the air exit side of the air filter. This figure shows air filter housing air exit side 21 with filter housing louver 12, which helps to determine the direction of air flow as the air exits from the air filter exit side 14.

An alternate embodiment of the instant invention is a method for cleaning air at a grill, louver, or register 42 of motor-vehicle dashboard air vent 40 as shown in Figure 11. The instant method comprises the following steps:

A) providing an air filter 28 as shown in Figure 12, having an air entrance side 16 and an air exit side 14;

B) providing a mounting means 30 as shown in Figure 10, for engaging the louver 42, grill, or register of the air vent 40;

C) providing an attaching means 32 for fastening the mounting means 30 to the air entrance side 16 of the air filter 28;

D) engaging the mounting means 30 to the louver 42, grill, or register as shown in Figures 10 and 11 ;

E) fastening the mounting means 30 to the air entrance side 16 of the air filter as shown in Figure 12, 13, and 14; whereby the mounting means 30 is hidden from air exit side 14 of the air filter, and whereby no part of the mounting means 30 protrudes from the air exit side 14 of the air filter, thus enhancing the esthetics of the filter as well as the safety.

A further alternate embodiment of the mounting means is a self-aligning mounting means 30 comprising a plurality of fingers 36 is shown in Figure 16. One or more hook 38 on fingers 36 facilitate grasping of louvers when the mounting means 30 engages louver, grill, or register of air vent. The plurality of louver grasping fingers 36 in this embodiment allows the mounting means to grasp louvers at various alignments as shown in the next figure. Figure 17 shows self-aligning mounting means 30 before (panel A & C) and after (panel B & D) engaging a louver 42 of motor vehicle dashboard air vent. The plurality of louver grasping fingers 36 in the self-aligning mounting means 30 allows the mounting means to grasp louvers at various alignments. In panel A, the mounting means 30 happens to be positioned for the louver to be grasped between the 4^th and 5^th fingers from the top, as shown in Panel B. However, in panel C, the mounting means 30 happens to be positioned for a higher louver to be grasped between the 2^nd and 3^rd fingers from the top, as shown in Panel D. Thus, at least one louver would be grasped by the fingers 36, no matter where the mounting means 30 is positioned, up or down along the louvers 42.

Figure 18 shows a cross sectional side view of the air filtration appliance 10 with self-aligning mounting means 30 attached to the air filter housing air entrance side 23. This figure shows air filter housing air exit side 21 with filter housing louver 12, which gives a direction to the air flow as the air exits from the air filter exit side 14. This view also shows the resilient filter bezel 20, which facilitates fitting with the motor vehicle air vent and minimizes air leaks around the filter appliance. The self- aligning mounting means 30 is for engaging the louver, grill, or register of air vent. The attaching means 32 fastens the mounting means to the air filter housing air entrance side 23. When the air filtration appliance 10 is mounted on motor vehicle air vent, the air exiting the air vent enters the filter appliance through the air filter air entrance side 16, flows through the filter media 18 within the filtration appliance 10, and finally flows out the air filter housing air exit side 21 through the filter housing louver 12.

Figure 19 shows a cross sectional side view of another embodiment of the air filtration appliance 10 with a mounting means 30 fastened to the air filter housing air entrance side 23 by the attaching means 32, which is a pin holding a coil portion 54 in this embodiment. The mounting means 30 is preferably a spring 52 in this embodiment. The spring is, preferably, a torsion spring that includes a coil portion 54, and a pair of spring legs 56, with termini 60 and 60' disposed substantially apart from each other in relaxed state, which can engage the grill, louver, or register of motor vehicle dashboard air vent. The spring can be made from music wire, for example, and is stress relieved in an oven following fabrication. In this embodiment, at least one of the spring legs include a latch means 60' for gathering or juxtaposing the termini 60 and 60' of the spring legs together into a tensioned state as shown in Figure 20. The gathering or juxtaposing of the termini 60 of the spring legs 56 together, facilitating easy insertion of the spring legs into a foramen or aperture of the grill, louver, or register of motor-vehicle dashboard air vent. The latch means 60' in this embodiment is preferably a hook that engages the other spring leg. The spring leg more preferably further include a release means 62 for disengaging or separating the two spring legs from each other when the release means 62 are pushed toward each other during the insertion into the grill, louver, or register, allowing the spring to return to relaxed state. In a relaxed state, the spring legs 56 of the torsion spring 52 extend in generally opposite directions from the coil portion as shown in Figure 19. The release means 62 triggers separation of the two spring leg termini from each other during the mounting of the filtration means upon the grill, louver, or register of motor-vehicle dashboard air vent. The release means 62 in this embodiment is a bight in the spring leg that gets pushed together to release the spring leg from the hook during insertion.

An alternate embodiment of the latch means is a sliding retainer 64 for gathering or juxtaposing the two spring leg termini 60 together (Fig. 21). In this alternate embodiment, the sliding retainer has a slit or hole 66 that admits and retains the termini 60 of the spring legs together when the sliding retainer is positioned near the termini as shown in Figure 21. The spring legs are configured such that the spring leg termini separate from each other as the sliding retainer is moved away from the termini 60. As the spring legs are inserted further into an aperture of a grill, louver, or register of motor-vehicle dashboard air vent, the larger size of the sliding retainer prevents the retainer from entering the foramen or aperture of the grill, louver, or register (Fig. 23 A). Thus, the spring legs are pushed through the sliding retainer slit or hole 66, allowing the spring leg termini to separate apart from each other (Fig. 22 and Fig. 23B) in the other side of the grill, louver, or register, and thus engages the mounting means onto the grill, louver, or register. The sliding retainer is preferably disk- shaped with a predetermined diameter greater than the width of the aperture of a grill, louver, or register of the air vent to facilitate release of the spring legs. An alternate embodiment of release means is a string tied to the sliding retainer (not shown in figures). The string is pulled to allow separation of the two spring legs. Preferably, the spring leg termini 60 further comprise a loop or similar enlargement to prevent the sliding retainer 64 from falling off. More preferably, the spring leg 56 is curved in shape to facilitate engagement of the mounting means onto the grill, louver, or register.

Figure 24 shows a cross sectional side view of an alternate embodiment of an air filtration appliance, substantially without air filter housing. This figure shows air filter air exit side 14 without any overlying filter housing, allowing the air to exit directly from the air filter air exit side 14. This view shows the resilient filter bezel 20, which facilitates fitting with the motor vehicle air vent and minimizes air leaks around the filter appliance. The mountmg means 30 is for engaging louver, grill, or register of air vent. The attaching means 32 fastens the mounting means to the air filter air entrance side 16. When the air filtration appliance is mounted on motor vehicle air vent, the air exiting the air vent enters the filter appliance through the air filter air entrance side 16, flows through the filter media 18, and finally flows out through the air filter air exit side 14.

Although above description have employed automobile air vent as an example of motor- vehicle air vent, it is readily understood that the instant invention is applicable to any motor vehicle air vents having grill, louver, or register. For example, the air filtration appliance of present invention may be used in combination with air vent of airplanes, truck, trains, boats, etc.

Thus, it is readily understood how the preferred and generic-variant embodiments of this invention contemplate performing functions in a novel way not heretofore available nor realized. It is implicit that the utility of the foregoing adaptations of this invention are not necessarily dependent upon any prevailing invention patent; and while the present invention has been well described herein by way of certain illustrated embodiments, it is to be expected that various changes, alteration, rearrangements, and obvious modifications may be resorted to by those skilled in the art without substantially departing from the implied spirit and scope of the instant invention. Therefore, the invention has been disclosed herein by way of example, and not as imposed limitation, while the appended claims set out the scope of the invention sought, and are to be construed broadly as the terminology therein employed permits, reckoning that the invention verily comprehends every use of which it is susceptible.

Claims

Accordingly, I claim:

1. An air filtration appliance for use with a louver, grill, or register of motor-vehicle dashboard air vent having at least one vent aperture, comprising: an air filter having an air entrance side and an air exit side, a mounting means for engaging said louver, grill, or register, and an attaching means for fastening said mounting means to said air entrance side of said air filter, whereby said mounting means is hidden from air exit side of said air filter, no part of said mounting means protrudes from the air exit side of the air filter, and no part of said mounting means remain on the dashboard upon removal of the filtration appliance.

2. The air filtration appliance according to claim 1, wherein said mounting means is a louver-grasping device.

3. The air filtration appliance according to Claim 1, wherein said mounting means is a spring.

4. The air filtration appliance according to Claim 3, wherein said spring is a torsion spring.

5. The air filtration appliance according to Claim 4, wherein said torsion spring further includes a pair of spring legs, each leg having a terminus disposed substantially apart from each other.

6. The air filtration appliance according to Claim 5, wherein at least one of the spring legs further comprises a latch means for juxtaposing the spring leg termini whereby insertion of the spring leg termini together into the aperture of the motor-vehicle dashboard air vent is facilitated.

7. The air filtration appliance according to Claim 6, wherein at least the spring legs further comprises a release means for separating apart the spring leg termini following the insertion of the spring leg termini into the aperture.

8. The air filtration appliance according to Claim 5, wherein at least the spring legs further comprise a sliding retainer for juxtaposing the spring legs termini whereby insertion of the spring leg termini together into the aperture of the motor-vehicle dashboard air vent is facilitated.

9. The air filtration appliance according to Claim 8, wherein at least the spring legs further comprises a release means for separating apart the spring leg termini following the insertion of the spring leg termini into the aperture.

10. The air filtration appliance according to Claim 1, wherein said mounting means further comprises a plurality of fingers.

11. The air filtration appliance according to Claim 10, wherein said fingers further comprises a structure chosen from the group comprising hook, latch, clip, and serration.

12. The air filtration appliance according to claim 1, wherein said attaching means is chosen from the group comprising hook and loop fastener, adhesive, mushroom-shaped stem interlock fastener, sliding gland fastener, rivet, screw, weld, pin, and unitary construction with the filter.

13. An air filtration appliance for use with a louver, grill, or register of motor-vehicle dashboard air vent, useful for filtering air entering motor-vehicle cabin, comprising: a housing having substantially opposing air entrance side and air exit side; an air filter media adapted to reside within said housing; a mounting means for engaging said louver, grill, or register, and an attaching means for fastening said mounting means to said air entrance side of said housing, whereby said mounting means is hidden from air exit side of said air filter, no part of said mounting means protrudes from the air exit side of the air filter, and no part of said mounting means remain on the dashboard upon removal of the filtration appliance.

14. The air filtration appliance according to claim 13, wherein said air exit side of the housing further comprises a directional control means for imparting a flow direction to the air entering motor- vehicle cabin.

15. The air filtration appliance according to claim 14, wherein said directional control means is an adjustable louver.

16. The air filtration appliance according to claim 15, wherein said adjustable louver further comprises a rotating means.

17. The air filtration appliance according to claim 13, wherein said mounting means is a louver- grasping device.

18. The air filtration appliance according to Claim 13, wherein said mounting means is a spring.

19. The air filtration appliance according to Claim 18, wherein said spring is a torsion spring.

20. The air filtration appliance according to Claim 19, wherein said torsion spring further includes a pair of spring legs, each leg having a terminus disposed substantially apart from each other.

21. The air filtration appliance according to Claim 20, wherein at least one of the spring legs further comprises a latch means for juxtaposing the spring leg termini whereby insertion of the spring leg termini together into the aperture of the motor-vehicle dashboard air vent is facilitated.

22. The air filtration appliance according to Claim 21, wherein at least the spring legs further comprises a release means for separating apart the spring leg termini following the insertion of the spring leg termini into the aperture.

23. The air filtration appliance according to Claim 20, wherein at least the spring legs further comprise a sliding retainer for juxtaposing the spring legs termini whereby insertion of the spring leg teπnini together into the aperture of the motor-vehicle dashboard air vent is facilitated.

24. The air filtration appliance according to Claim 23, wherein at least the spring legs further comprises a release means for separating apart the spring leg termini following the insertion of the spring leg termini into the aperture.

25. The air filtration appliance according to Claim 13, wherein said mounting means comprises a plurality of fingers.

26. The air filtration appliance according to Claim 25, wherein said fingers further comprising structure chosen from the group comprising hook, latch, clip, and serration.

27. The air filtration appliance according to claim 13, wherein said attaching means is chosen from the group comprising hook and loop fastener, adhesive, mushroom-shaped stem interlock fastener, sliding gland joint, rivet, screw, weld, pin, and unitary construction with the housing.

28. The air filtration appliance according to claim 13, wherein said filter media is selected from the group comprising non-woven fibers, activated carbon, activated alumina or carbon impregnated with potassium permanganate, molecular sieves, porous polymer adsorbers, carbonized ion-exchangers, Zeolite, substances holding static-electricity, electrets, or combinations thereof.