Abstract: An air duct outlet includes a housing having spaced-apart top and bottom walls, and spaced-apart first and second side walls extending between the top and bottom walls to define an air passageway having an inlet and outlet. The side walls diverge from the inlet to the outlet such that an air stream flowing through the air passageway oscillates in a sweeping motion as the air stream exits from the outlet.

Abstract: An air duct outlet includes a housing that defines an air passageway with an inlet and outlet, and a porous layer of material that overlies the air passageway outlet and hides the air duct outlet from view. The porous layer of material is configured to soften and diffuse an air stream flowing through the air passageway outlet and/or to cause an air stream flowing through the air passageway outlet to be directed in one or more directions.

Abstract: An air duct outlet includes a housing having a front wall with an opening therein through which air flows. A louver assembly is operably coupled with the housing and includes a first set of louvers pivotally secured within the housing, and a second set of louvers pivotally secured within the housing. A joystick is remotely positioned relative to the front wall opening away from the front wall opening. The joystick is operably coupled with the first and second sets of louvers and is configured to pivot the first and second sets of louvers in response to user movement thereof. The joystick is connected to the first set of louvers via a shaft and is connected to the second set of louvers via multiple interconnected linkages. The linkages are configured to allow the joystick to move the first set of louvers without moving the second set of louvers.

Abstract: An air duct outlet housing has spaced-apart top and bottom walls, and spaced-apart first and second side walls that define an air passageway with an inlet and outlet. First and second air deflection members include elongated first and second panels with respective proximal and distal end portions. A flange extends from each distal end portion of the respective first and second panels. The first and second panel proximal ends are pivotally secured to the housing and are movable between first and second positions. The first and second panels are in face-to-face relationship with the respective first and second side walls when in respective first positions. The first and second panels extend in respective directions that are transverse to the respective first and second side walls when in respective second positions.

Abstract: An air duct outlet includes a housing having spaced-apart top and bottom walls, and spaced-apart first and second side walls extending between the top and bottom walls to define an air passageway having an inlet and outlet. A first air return passageway is located adjacent to the first side wall, and diverts a portion of an air stream flowing through the air passageway as the air stream adheres to the first side wall. A second air return passageway is located adjacent to the second side wall, and diverts a portion of an air stream flowing through the air passageway as the air stream adheres to the second side wall. The continuous diversion of portions of an air stream flowing through the air passageway by the first and second air return passageways causes an oscillating, sweeping motion of the air stream as it exits from the air passageway outlet.

Abstract: An air duct outlet includes a housing that defines an air passageway with an inlet and outlet, and a porous layer of material that overlies the air passageway outlet and hides the air duct outlet from view. The porous layer of material is configured to soften and diffuse an air stream flowing through the air passageway outlet and/or to cause an air stream flowing through the air passageway outlet to be directed in one or more directions.

Abstract: An air duct outlet includes a housing comprising a bezel, an inlet, an outlet formed in the bezel, an air passageway extending from the inlet to the outlet, and an elongated slot formed in the bezel adjacent the outlet. A louver assembly is operably mounted within the housing and is configured to adjust the direction of air flowing through the air passageway. The louver assembly comprises a set of louvers pivotally secured in spaced-apart adjacent relationship. Each louver is pivotally secured about one of a plurality of substantially parallel axes, and the louvers are operably connected together such that pivotal movement of any one of the louvers causes pivotal movement of the remaining louvers. A slider member extends through the elongated slot in the bezel. The slider member is operably connected with the louvers and is configured to pivot the louvers in response to user movement thereof.

Abstract: An air duct outlet includes a housing having a front wall with an opening therein through which air flows. A louver assembly is operably coupled with the housing and includes a first set of louvers pivotally secured within the housing, and a second set of louvers pivotally secured within the housing. A joystick is remotely positioned relative to the front wall opening away from the front wall opening. The joystick is operably coupled with the first and second sets of louvers and is configured to pivot the first and second sets of louvers in response to user movement thereof. The joystick is connected to the first set of louvers via a shaft and is connected to the second set of louvers via multiple interconnected linkages. The linkages are configured to allow the joystick to move the first set of louvers without moving the second set of louvers.

Abstract: Air duct outlets for use on inclined surfaces within vehicles are provided. An air duct outlet includes a body having a fascia with an opening formed therein. A louver assembly is disposed within the fascia opening and is movable between a first position substantially flush with the fascia and a second position substantially nonflush with the fascia. The louver assembly includes a housing having an inlet and an outlet. A set of louvers are secured within the housing in spaced-apart adjacent relationship and are configured to adjust the direction of air flowing through the housing. An actuator extends from the fascia adjacent the opening and is operably connected with the louver assembly. Movement of the actuator within a first range causes pivotal movement of the louvers, and movement of the actuator within a second range causes pivotal movement of the louver assembly between the first and second positions.

Abstract: Air duct outlets for use on inclined surfaces within vehicles are provided. An air duct outlet includes a body having a fascia with an opening formed therein. A louver assembly is disposed within the fascia opening and is movable between a first position substantially flush with the fascia and a second position substantially nonflush with the fascia. The louver assembly includes a housing having an inlet and an outlet. A set of louvers are secured within the housing in spaced-apart adjacent relationship and are configured to adjust the direction of air flowing through the housing. An actuator extends from the fascia adjacent the opening and is operably connected with the louver assembly. Movement of the actuator within a first range causes pivotal movement of the louvers, and movement of the actuator within a second range causes pivotal movement of the louver assembly between the first and second positions.

Abstract: An air duct outlet housing has spaced-apart top and bottom walls, and spaced-apart first and second side walls that define an air passageway with an inlet and outlet. First and second air deflection members include elongated first and second panels with respective proximal and distal end portions. A flange extends from each distal end portion of the respective first and second panels. The first and second panel proximal ends are pivotally secured to the housing and are movable between first and second positions. The first and second panels are in face-to-face relationship with the respective first and second side walls when in respective first positions. The first and second panels extend in respective directions that are transverse to the respective first and second side walls when in respective second positions.

Abstract: An air duct outlet includes a housing having spaced-apart top and bottom walls, and spaced-apart first and second side walls extending between the top and bottom walls to define an air passageway having an inlet and outlet. A first air return passageway is located adjacent to the first side wall, and diverts a portion of an air stream flowing through the air passageway as the air stream adheres to the first side wall. A second air return passageway is located adjacent to the second side wall, and diverts a portion of an air stream flowing through the air passageway as the air stream adheres to the second side wall. The continuous diversion of portions of an air stream flowing through the air passageway by the first and second air return passageways causes an oscillating, sweeping motion of the air stream as it exits from the air passageway outlet.

Abstract: An air duct outlet that allows a user to redirect an air stream within a wide range of directions includes a housing having a planar first wall and a convexly-curved second wall in adjacent, spaced-apart relationship and that define an air passageway having an inlet and a flared outlet. A vane is pivotally attached within the air passageway and is movable within a range of positions that are increasingly transverse to the first wall. An air stream flowing through the air passageway is deflected by an amount that increases with each position of the vane in the range such that the air stream adheres to a portion of the second wall by an amount that increases with each position of the vane in the range and such that the air stream exits from the outlet in a direction that is increasingly transverse to a direction normal to the outlet.

Abstract: A driver-accessible storage drawer is slidably mounted to an instrument panel and is movable within a cavity of the instrument panel between closed and open positions. The storage drawer comprises a floor, a front wall, a rear wall opposite the front wall, and side walls that extend between the front and rear walls in spaced-apart relationship to define a storage compartment for receiving items therein. A tray having one or more receptacles therein is slidably secured to the storage drawer and is movable between a hidden position within the instrument panel cavity and an exposed position when the storage drawer is in an open position.

Abstract: Air duct outlets provide automatic oscillation of air flow and also allow users to manually redirect air streams. An air duct outlet includes a housing having an air passageway that terminates at an air outlet. A drive source is operably connected to a reciprocating member and transmits reciprocating motion to the reciprocating member. An air-directing vane is pivotally attached within the air passageway and is movable within a range of positions to direct an air stream flowing through the air passageway and exiting from the outlet. An actuator extends from the housing and is movable between first, second and third positions. A user can manually pivot the air-directing vane via movement of the actuator between the first and second positions. When the actuator is moved to a third position, the reciprocating member operably engages the drive arm and causes the air-directing vane to oscillate automatically.

Abstract: Air duct outlets having remotely located joystick controls are provided. A first set of generally parallel louvers are pivotally connected in spaced-apart adjacent relationship. A second set of generally parallel louvers are pivotally connected in spaced-apart adjacent relationship in an upstream location from the first set of louvers. A joystick is remotely positioned and does not interfere with air flowing through the outlet. The joystick is operably coupled with the first and second sets of louvers and is configured to pivot the first and second sets of louvers in response to user movement thereof.

Abstract: An air duct outlet that allows a user to redirect an air stream within a wide range of directions includes a housing having a planar first wall and a convexly-curved second wall in adjacent, spaced-apart relationship and that define an air passageway having an inlet and a flared outlet. A vane is pivotally attached within the air passageway and is movable within a range of positions that are increasingly transverse to the first wall. An air stream flowing through the air passageway is deflected by an amount that increases with each position of the vane in the range such that the air stream adheres to a portion of the second wall by an amount that increases with each position of the vane in the range and such that the air stream exits from the outlet in a direction that is increasingly transverse to a direction normal to the outlet.

Abstract: Air duct outlets provide automatic oscillation of air flow and also allow users to manually redirect air streams. An air duct outlet includes a housing having an air passageway that terminates at an air outlet. A drive source is operably connected to a reciprocating member and transmits reciprocating motion to the reciprocating member. An air-directing vane is pivotally attached within the air passageway and is movable within a range of positions to direct an air stream flowing through the air passageway and exiting from the outlet. An actuator extends from the housing and is movable between first, second and third positions. A user can manually pivot the air-directing vane via movement of the actuator between the first and second positions. When the actuator is moved to a third position, the reciprocating member operably engages the drive arm and causes the air-directing vane to oscillate automatically.

Abstract: Air duct outlets having remotely located joystick controls are provided. A first set of generally parallel louvers are pivotally connected in spaced-apart adjacent relationship. A second set of generally parallel louvers are pivotally connected in spaced-apart adjacent relationship in an upstream location from the first set of louvers. A joystick is remotely positioned and does not interfere with air flowing through the outlet. The joystick is operably coupled with the first and second sets of louvers and is configured to pivot the first and second sets of louvers in response to user movement thereof.