System and Method For Replacing a Return Air Filter
A system for replacing a filter of return air vent. The system includes a return air vent grill affixed to a surface. The grill is hinged on a first side to the surface allowing the grill to swing to an open position while still attached to the surface. The system also includes a closing mechanism for attaching the grill to a second end opposite the first end of the grill. In addition, a filter is detachably affixed to a tray located on an inner surface of grill. Furthermore, the system includes an extension tool having a length sufficient to contact the closing mechanism by a user located below the grill. The extension tool enables the opening and closing of the closing mechanism. The tray and filter may be slid down to the user by an extendible track. The user may pull the tray and filter down the extended track, replace the filter, slide the filter and tray back to the grill and close the closing mechanism.
This utility application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/560,839 filed Nov. 17, 2011 by Jack R. Kerr, which is hereby incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC). Specifically, and not by way of limitation, the present invention relates to a system and method of easily accessing and replacing filters in a conventional return air vent of a HVAC system.
2. Description of the Related Art
In construction of houses and other buildings, it is quite common for builders to install central air conditioning return air vents located in the ceding or at an upper portion of wails within the home or building. Every home and building that uses forced heated air for heating purposes have these return vents. The return vent, or register, is also known as an air return vent, and a cold air return vent. The return vent returns colder air, via registers and ductwork, to the furnace so that it will run as designed. Return vents also provide proper air circulation throughout the structure. A return vent, will, as well, be installed with central air conditioning systems, though in a somewhat different configuration.
Air return vents are necessary to prevent a buildup of pressure in the structure that may lead to various health problems, as well as preventing mold and mildew, and deterioration of the structure due to moisture buildup. As warm air is forced into a room, it replaces cold air already in the room. This cooler air must be pushed out of the room; otherwise the room becomes uncomfortably over-pressurized. The cooler air is, in turn, forced into the return vent, back to the furnace, reheated, and returned to the cycle.
The size, location, and length of heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) registers and ductwork are determined by measurement of air movement at cubic feet per minute (CFM). Whatever the CFM output of the heating or cooling system, the air return vents must be able to provide the same CFM ratio. Additionally, for maximum heating and circulating efficiency, there should be properly-sized return vents in each room where heating registers are located.
Behind each of these vents is typically located a filter which requires periodic changing. However, most homes now have high ceilings (e.g., 9, 10 up to 14 feet). This requires the home owner or installer to use a ladder to change the filter, which can be an onerous and burdensome task, especially considering the task of replacing the filters must be accomplished 2-4 times per year depending on the type of filter being used.
Thus, it would be advantageous to have a system and method for replacing filters from a return vent which does not require the installer to leave the floor. It is an object of the present invention to provide such a system and method.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONIn one aspect, the present invention is a system for replacing a filter of a return air vent. The system includes a return air vent grill affixed to a surface. The grill is hinged on a first side to the surface allowing the grill to swing to an open position while still attached to the surface. The system also includes a closing mechanism for attaching the grill to a second end opposite the first end of the grill. In addition, a filter is detachably affixed to a tray located on an inner surface of grill. Furthermore, the system includes an extension tool having a length sufficient to contact the closing mechanism by a user located below the grill. The extension tool enables the opening and closing of the closing mechanism. The tray and filter may be slid down to the user by an extendible track. The user may pull the tray and filter down the extended track, replace the filter, slide the filter and tray back to the grill and close the closing mechanism.
In another aspect, the present invention is directed to a method of replacing a filter of a return air vent. The method begins by opening a return air vent grill affixed to a surface with an extension tool. Next, the filter, which is detachably affixed to a tray located on an inner surface of the grill, is pulled toward a user by an extension tool. The filter is then replaced within the tray. Next, the filter and tray are then pushed back into the inner surface of the grill by the extension tool and the return air vent grill is closed.
The present invention is an improved system and method of replacing filters for a return air vent of a HVAC system.
The extension tool may have any mechanism which enables the opening of the grill at the closing mechanism. As illustrated, the extension tool 30 includes an interface end 32 for turning the slot 24 to an open position. The extension tool may optionally include a telescopic main body 34. The interface end may include extensions or fingers to interact and turn the slot 24 or other device used in the closing mechanism 22. Additionally, the interface may include a flat blade screwdriver-type attachment.
With reference to
The present invention may be in any configuration which enables the user to access a grill located out of reach. The present invention may use any mechanism to access the grill, such as an extension tool capable of reaching the grill. Furthermore, any mechanism which enables the filter to be acquired and replaced from a distance may be used. Although an extendable tray is illustrated, any mechanism which extends the filter to the user may be used, such as cords. Additionally, the present invention may be used to replace any type of filter for any type of vent used in an HVAC system. Moreover, although a removable tray is described, the present invention may utilize a device which enables a person to access the filter within the return air vent while being located on the ground below the vent.
The present invention provides many advantages for conventional return vents. The present invention enables a user to easily replace filters without the use of ladders. The user enjoys the benefit of staying on the ground without the necessity of standing in precarious locations. Thus, the present invention provides a safe manner for replacing hard to reach filters.
While the present invention is described herein with reference to illustrative embodiments for particular applications, it should be understood that the invention is not limited thereto. Those having ordinary skill in the art and access to the teachings provided herein will recognize additional modifications, applications, and embodiments within the scope thereof and additional fields in which the present invention would be of significant utility.
Thus, the present invention has been described herein with reference to a particular embodiment for a particular application. Those having ordinary skill in the art and access to the present teachings will recognize additional modifications, applications and embodiments within the scope thereof.
It is therefore intended by the appended claims to cover any and all such applications, modifications and embodiments within the scope of the present invention.
Claims
1. A system for replacing a filter of a return air vent, the system comprising:
- a return air vent grill affixed to a surface, wherein the grill is hinged on a first side to the surface allowing the grill to swing to an open position while still attached to the surface;
- a closing mechanism for attaching the grill to a second end opposite the first end of the grill;
- a filter detachably affixed to a tray located on an inner surface of the grill;
- an extension tool having a length sufficient to contact the closing mechanism by a user located below the return air vent grill, wherein the extension tool includes means for opening and closing the closing mechanism; and
- an extension mechanism for extending the filter and tray out cm the grill;
- wherein the user replaces the filter by pulling the tray and filter down, replacing the filter, sliding the filter and tray back to the grill and closing the closing mechanism.
2. The system according to claim 1 wherein the extension mechanism is an extendible track which enables the filter and tray to be slid down to the user and wherein the user pulls the tray and filter down the extended track to access the filter below the grill.
3. The system according to claim 2 wherein the extendible track is a plurality of extendible tracks.
4. The system according to claim 3 wherein the extendible tracks are telescopically extendible tracks.
5. The system according to claim 1 wherein the closing mechanism includes a rotatable bolt having a slot.
6. The system according to claim 5 wherein the extension tool includes an interface end for turning the closing mechanism.
7. The system according to claim 6 wherein the interface end includes means for contacting the filter and enable a user to pull the filter and tray away from the grill.
8. The system according to claim 1 wherein the extension tool includes a telescopic elongated portion for extending a length of the extension tool.
9. A method of replacing a filter of a return air vent, the method comprising the steps of:
- opening a return air vent grill affixed to a surface with an extension tool;
- pulling, by the extension tool, the filter detachably affixed to a tray located on an inner surface of the grill toward a user;
- replacing the filter within the tray;
- pushing, by the extension tool, the filter and tray back into the inner surface of the grill; and
- closing the return air vent grill with the extension tool.
10. The method according to claim 9 wherein the return air vent grill is hinged on a first side to the surface allowing the grill to swing to an open position while still attached to the surface.
11. The method according to claim 9 wherein the step of opening a return air vent grill includes contacting a closing mechanism attached to the air vent grill to open the return air vent grill.
12. The method according to claim 11 wherein the closing mechanism includes a rotatable bolt having a slot.
13. The method according to claim 12 wherein the step of opening a return air vent grill includes rotating the bolt with the extension tool.
14. The method according to claim 9 wherein the return air vent grill includes an extension mechanism for extending the filter and tray out from the grill.
15. The method according to claim 14 wherein the extension mechanism is an extendible track which enables the filter and tray to be slid down to the user and wherein the user pulls the tray and filter down the extended track to access the filter below the grill.
16. A system for replacing an air return vent filter, the system comprising:
- a return air vent;
- a filter attached to the return air vent; and
- means for retrieving and replacing the filter in the return air vent by a user located on a ground level below the return air vent.
17. The system according to claim 16 wherein the means for retrieving and replacing the filter includes a mechanism for extending a reach of the user to retrieve the filter from the return air vent.
18. The system according to claim 16 wherein means for retrieving and replacing the filter includes a mechanism to extend the filter toward the user located on the ground level.
19. The system according to claim 17 wherein:
- a closing mechanism for opening and closing the grill; and
- the filter is detachably affixed within the return air vent.
Type: Application
Filed: Nov 16, 2012
Publication Date: Aug 8, 2013
Inventor: Jack R. Kerr, JR. (Hearne, TX)
Application Number: 13/679,210
International Classification: F24F 13/28 (20060101);