VENT COVER WITH PADDLE WHEEL

Abstract

A duct vent cover attaches to an exterior wall at a duct exhaust point. The duct vent cover comprises a hood, mounting bracket, and a paddle wheel. The duct vent cover shields the duct vent from weather effects. The paddle wheel deters the ingress of wildlife, such as, for example, birds, squirrels and other animals which nest in vents, while allowing the egress of exhaust air, lint, and other debris.

Description

NOTICE OF COPYRIGHT PROTECTION

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document and its figures contain material subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, but otherwise reserves all copyrights whatsoever.

BACKGROUND

I. Field

This invention relates to covers for vents.

II. Description of Related Art

Dryers and other household appliances typically generate waste air which needs to be exhausted. This waste air is typically exhausted through tubing leading from the appliance to an outdoor space. Successful venting to the outdoors requires an aperture at the termination of the tubing through which the waste air can flow. This aperture is the vent opening.

An effective vent opening allows the flow of air from the vent tubing and thus the appliance. Thus, it is advantageous to facilitate exhaust through the vent opening. An occlusion prevents the flow of air from the vent tubing or duct work, thereby preventing the flow of appliance's exhaust air and increasing the risk of appliance failure, such as by overheating the appliance's motor, increasing drying times, or unsafe levels of heat buildup elsewhere.

A vent opening which is too occluded constitutes several risks. It may effectively block the air flow from the appliance by completely obstructing the vent opening. It may also increase the risk of fire by preventing the free flow of lint or other debris along with the exhaust air, thereby causing a clog in the vent tubing which decreases appliance performance, increases the risk of appliance failure, and increases the risk of a fire.

Conversely, a vent opening which is insufficiently occluded constitutes several different risks. Wildlife, perhaps attracted by the warmth of the exhaust air or the convenience of a nesting location, may ingress into the vent tubing. For example, birds will often nest in vent openings. Further, rain and other weather effects can be detrimental to exposed vent tubing.

Hoods to shield the vent opening against weather effects, particularly precipitation, are known in the art. Flaps, grilles, and grating to guard against wildlife ingress are known in the art. Specifically, the building code of some jurisdictions requires the use of backflow flappers. Though these flappers are designed to allow air flow to pass in only one direction, small animals such as birds are known to lift one of the backflow flappers and ingress into the duct cover. Thus, it is desirable to provide a device which allows air to exhaust from a duct vent and prevents air from entering it, but also prevents the ingress of wildlife.

Grills and grating are unmoving parts and so provide no visual feedback to a viewer regarding the rate or volume of air flow. Flaps can become stuck open, which not only defeats their ability to prevent a backdraft, but also prevents any visual feedback to the viewer. Thus, it is desirable to provide a device which provides visual feedback to a view regarding the amount of air flow. Flaps can be opened or circumvented by birds, which gather twigs and other debris to form a nest. In turn, the nest forms a substantial occlusion. Thus, even a vent opening with backflow flaps is still susceptible to blockage by a nesting bird.

Notwithstanding these known advances, the problem of vents openings becoming clogged over time remains. Dryer vents, in particular, tend to become clogged over time with dryer lint. Exhaust air from the dryer contains some amount of dryer lint. Dryer vent covers with flaps, grilles, or grating increase the rate of lint accumulation by catching some of this lint. The lint caught exacerbates the problem further by, in turn, catching more lint. Thus begins a cycle culminating in a clogged dryer vent.

The above problems, and others, are reduced by the invention as herein described and shown.

SUMMARY

An object of the present invention is to provide a cover for an exhaust point of an appliance duct. For example, the invention may attach to the exterior surface of a home where an appliance duct terminates.

An object of the present invention is to prevent contamination or infestation in the duct by helping to prevent the ingress of weather effects and wildlife.

An object of the present invention is to facilitate the egress of exhaust air, lint, and other debris.

An object of the present invention is to provide a paddle wheel that rotates by force of the exhaust air flowing from the exhaust point to the outdoors.

An object of the present invention is to provide visual feedback of the rate and volume of air flowing from the exhaust point by use of color, texture, and movement.

Household appliances or other machines vent in to a duct system to vent exhaust air into outside of a building. The point at which a duct vent breaches an exterior wall of the building and exhausts air to the outdoors is duct exhaust point. An object of the present invention is to provide a cover that attaches to an exterior wall at a duct exhaust point to shield the duct vent from weather effects and prevent the ingress of animals, particularly those animals which nest in vents, while allowing the egress of exhaust air, lint, and other debris.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The exemplary embodiments, objects, uses, advantages, and novel features are more clearly understood by reference to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying figures wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a bottom view of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional side view of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 shows a cross-section of an aspect of the present invention.

FIG. 5 shows a cross-section of an aspect of the present invention.

FIG. 7 shows a cross-section of an aspect of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The duct cover 101 has an open bottom 103, an inner wall 105, and a top wall 107. The duct cover 101 also has side walls 123. The open bottom 103, inner wall 105, top wall 107, and side walls 123 define an inner cavity 121. Disposed within this inner cavity 121 is a paddle wheel 113. The paddle wheel 113 rotates freely around an axle 115. The axle 115 is connected at each of its two ends at each of one of the two side walls 123, spanning the distance between them. The paddle wheel 113 has a plurality of paddles 109. In this embodiment, there are eight paddles 109.

Each of the paddles 109 may be substantially identical. Conversely, one or more of the paddles 109 may differ from the others in material aspects. For example, one of the paddles 109 may be weighted more than the others, thereby disposing the paddle wheel 113 toward a certain orientation.

The top wall 107 is curved to help direct air flow from the duct vent (not shown) down toward the open bottom 103. The top wall 107 may comprise a plurality of separate pieces or a single, curved piece. Rather than being curved, the top wall 107 may be strait but run at an angle between the inner wall 105 and the open bottom wall 103, thereby forming a triangle shape between them. The top wall 107 may comprise a series of angled surfaces approximating a curve.

The duct cover 101 attaches to the exterior surface or wall of a house or building at attachment points 111. The attachment points 11 may be secured by a screw, nail, stud, peg, brad, bolt, or similar device.

Eight evenly spaced, straight paddles 109 are shown in this embodiment. The paddles 109 may be unevenly spaced around the paddle wheel 113. The paddles 109 may be curved rather than straight. The paddles 109 may spiral around the paddle wheel 113.

FIG. 2 shows a bottom view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The duct cover 201 has a duct cover body 203. The paddle wheel 207 is positioned within duct cover body 203 at an open bottom 205. The paddle wheel 207 rotates about the axle 209. The axle 209 terminates at each end at axle ends 221. The axle ends 221 attach to the duct cover body 203 by mating with divot or depression, traversing an aperture, or similar method. The attachment of axle ends 221 of axle 209 to duct cover body 203 may be rotatable or may be fixed. That is, the paddle wheel 215 rotates about axle 209, which, in turn, may or may not rotate within the duct cover body. In the current embodiment, the paddle wheel 207 spans less than the full width of the open bottom 205, and thus has a shorter length than that of the axle 209. Axle end caps 215 protect the exposed portions of the axle 209, position the paddle wheel 207 relative to the open bottom 205, and discourage lint buildup at the axle 209. A pin 213 at one end of the axle 209 prevents the axle from being removed from the duct cover body 203. However, for servicing, replacement of the paddle wheel 207, or other required access to the interior of the vent cover body 203, the pin 213 may be removed, thereby allowing the axle 209 to be extracted from the vent cover body 203 and freeing the paddle wheel 207. A weep hole 219 allows any water in the interior of the duct cover body 203 to seep out of the duct cover body 203.

The open bottom 205 may present an opening narrower than the widest part of the duct cover body 203. The vent duct 223 will exhaust a certain volume of air flow, which volume may vary of time based on the type, number, and activity of the machine or machines venting into the duct system. Substantially all of the air flow from the vent duct 221 enters the duct cover body 203 and passes by and interacts with the paddle wheel 207 as it leaves the duct cover body 203 by way of the opening of the open bottom 205. The paddle wheel 207 may be configured to minimize the amount of air resistance it poses such as, for example, by minimizing the resistance of the paddle wheel 207 rotating about its axle 209. The opening of the open body 205 may be configured to accommodate the volume of air flow from the vent duct 221, accounting for the air resistance posed by the paddle wheel 207. Thus, the size of the opening in the open bottom 205 may bear some relationship to the size of the vent duct 221 and the air resistance of the paddle wheel 207.

FIG. 3 shows an exemplary embodiment of an aspect of the present invention. The duct cover 301 has an open bottom 303, an inner wall 327, and a top wall 307. The duct cover 301 also has side walls (not shown). The open bottom 303, inner wall 327, top wall 307, and side walls (not shown) define an inner cavity 321. Disposed at least partially within this inner cavity 321 is a paddle wheel 313. The paddle wheel 313 rotates freely around an axle 315. The axle 315 is connected at each of its two ends at each of one of the two side walls (not shown), spanning the distance between them. The paddle wheel 313 has a plurality of paddles 309 extending therefrom. Eight evenly spaced, straight paddles 309 are shown in this embodiment. The paddles 309 may be unevenly spaced around the paddle wheel 313. The paddles 309 may be curved rather than straight. The paddles 309 may spiral around the paddle wheel 313. The paddles 309 may run the full length of the paddle wheel 313 or only part of the length. The paddles 309 may be of equal or unequal lengths with respect to one another.

The mounting bracket 305 positions as a collar around the vent duct 319. Where the vent duct 319 penetrates an outer wall of the building, a portion of the vent duct 319 is exposed. This exposed portion of the vent duct 319 passes through an appropriately-sized aperture on the mounting bracket 305 and secured thereto. For example, the aperture may have a diameter approximately equal to the diameter of the vent duct where it terminates. The mounting bracket 305 may be attached directly to the exterior wall of the building from which the vent duct 319 exits. The inner wall 327 is attached to the mounting bracket 305. The mounting bracket 305 attaches to the wall via attachment points 325. The attachment points 325 may be secured by a screw, nail, stud, peg, brad, bolt, or similar device.

FIG. 4 shows a front view of an aspect of the present invention. A paddle wheel 401 comprises a plurality of paddles 405. Each of the plurality of paddles 405 extends from a body 407. The paddle wheel 401 rotates around an axis 403. The axis 403 runs through the center of the body 407. The axis 403 partially emerges from the body 407 at end tips 409a and 409b. The end tips 409a and 409b are each configured to engage with an aperture or divot in a side wall of a dryer vent cover.

Each of the plurality of paddles 405 has a width less than that of the body 407. The plurality of paddles 405 extend from the body 407 at staggered attachment points in a stepped spiral fashion. Thus, in the depicted embodiment, each of the plurality of paddles 405 is one fifth the width of the body 407. Correspondingly, a completed stepped spiral sequence requires five paddles in the plurality of paddles 405. However, alternate configurations are possible. For example, the attachment points of the plurality of paddles 405 could be distributed evenly or unevenly along the width of the body 407; the plurality of paddles 405 could collectively span the entire width of the body 407 or could collectively span less than the entire width of the body 407; and/or the plurality of paddles 405 could each be sized to create overlap such that the sum of the widths of each of the plurality of paddles 405 exceeds the width of the body 407. Various other configurations are possible, as will be appreciated.

FIG. 5 shows a cross-section of an aspect of the present invention. A paddle wheel 501 comprises a plurality of paddles 503. Each of the paddles 503 is, in this embodiment, identical to each of the other paddles 503. Each of the paddles 503 comprises a substantially strait section 505 and a curved section 507. The paddle wheel 501 rotates about axis 509. In this embodiment, the curved section 507 comprises a contour or curve. The apex of the contour or curve may be at any point along the length of the paddle 503. The contour or curve of the curved section 507 may be symmetrical or asymmetrical with respect to the apex. In the embodiment shown, the contour or curve is asymmetrical.

FIG. 6 shows a cross-section of an aspect of the present invention. A paddle wheel 601 comprises a plurality of paddles 603. Each of the paddles 603 is, in this embodiment, identical to each of the other 603. Each of the paddles 603 comprises a curved section 605. The paddle wheel 601 rotates about axis 607. In this embodiment, the curved section 605 comprises a contour or curve. In this embodiment, the apex of the contour or curve lies halfway along the length of the paddles 603 and the contour or curve of the curved section 605 is symmetrical with respect to the apex.

FIG. 7 shows a cross-section of an aspect of the present invention. A paddle wheel 701 comprises a plurality of paddles 703. In this embodiment, all but one of the paddles 703 are identical. The paddle wheel 705 rotates about axis 709. One paddle of the plurality of paddles 703 is a weighted paddle 713 and features a weight 711. Weight 711 may be integrated or embedded in the material of the weighted paddle 713 or may be mounted upon the surface of the weighted paddle 713. The weight 711 acts upon the paddle wheel 705. Each of the plurality of paddles 703 comprises a brush seal 707. The brush seal 707 may comprise a plurality of bristles or may comprise a single ridge. The brush seal 707 may be comprised of a material such as, for example, felt, rubber, or plastic. Each of the plurality of paddles 703 has an outer edge from which extends a brush seal 707. The brush seal 707 may extend strait from the paddle or may extend from the paddle at an angle, thereby causing the paddle wheel 705 to resist rotation in one direction while continuing to allow rotation in the opposite direction. The brush seal 707 helps form a seal between the hood and the paddle, which facilitates the rotation of the paddle wheel 705. The brush seal 707 may also help remove debris from the hood by sweeping the debris out of the hood as the paddle wheel 705 rotates.

The paddle wheel of the various embodiments disclosed herein may have one or more of several variations. For example, the paddle wheel may be configured to rotate about its axle in both directions or its rotation may be fixed such that the paddle wheel cannot rotate in one direction, such as with a ratchet. The paddle wheel may have one or more paddles, but more common embodiments have three or more paddles. The paddles may be strait, curved, or angled. The edge at which the paddle meets the paddle wheel may run parallel to the axle, or the paddle may spiral around the paddle wheel, in which case the edge spirals around the axis of the axle. A paddle may run the full length of the paddle wheel, or it may run only part of the length of the paddle wheel.

The paddle wheel may deter the ingress of wildlife by providing spaces between paddles too small for the wildlife to traverse. Generally, the more paddles an embodiment employs, the smaller these spaces are. Thus, to a limited extent, the size of the wildlife being blocked is inversely proportional to the number of paddles that are used. Very small animals, such as, for example, insects, may not be deterred by the paddle wheel regardless of the number of paddles used. The paddle wheel may deter the ingress of weather effects such as rain. As will be understood, the paddle wheel may be of various designs.

The paddle wheel may allow the egress of exhaust air, lint, and other debris by rotating. The force of the exhaust air, lint, and other debris exiting the vent duct acts upon the paddles of the paddle wheels, thereby causing the paddle wheel to rotate about its axle. As the paddle wheel rotates, it also provides visual feedback of the rate and volume of air flowing from the vent duct by use of variations in color, visual texture, and movement.

Other systems, methods, and/or products according to the above embodiments will be or will become apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art upon review of the above description, the following drawings, and any further description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, and/or products be included within this description, be within the scope of the present invention, and be protected by the accompanying claims.

Claims

1. A duct cover with a paddle wheel comprising:

a hood comprising an inner cavity, the inner cavity defined by a top wall, an inner wall, a first side wall, and a second side wall;

a paddle wheel disposed at least partially within the inner cavity, the paddle wheel comprising a plurality of paddles, the paddle wheel rotating freely around an axle, the axle terminating at a first end at the first side wall and terminating at a second end at the second side wall; and

the top wall having a bottom edge, a first side edge from which extends the first side wall, a second side edge from which extends the second side wall, and a top edge from which extends the inner wall.

2. The device of claim 1, further comprising:

a bottom wall extending from the bottom edge of the top wall, the bottom wall comprising an exhaust aperture, the center of the exhaust aperture is approximately vertically aligned with the axle of the paddle wheel.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein:

the top wall comprises an inner surface that curves from the top edge to the bottom edge;

the hood directs exhaust air from the duct exhaust point past the paddle wheel; and

the paddle wheel rotates responsive to the flow of the exhaust air.

4. The device of claim 3, wherein:

the paddle wheel is visible through the exhaust aperture to provide a visual indication of the relative rate of flow of the exhaust air past the paddle wheel.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein:

the plurality of paddles are spaced with such proximity on the paddle wheel as to hinder ingress of small animals into the duct exhaust point.

6. The device of claim 1, further comprising:

a mounting bracket having an aperture, the aperture receiving and positioning a duct vent at the duct exhaust point;

the mounting bracket attaching to the hood at the inner wall.

7. The device of claim 6, further comprising:

a plurality of backflow flappers, each of the plurality of backflow flappers hingedly attached to the mounting bracket; and

each of the plurality of backflow flappers opening responsive to exhaust air from the duct exhaust point.

8. The device of claim 1, further comprising:

a plurality of backflow flappers, each of the plurality of backflow flappers hingedly attached to the inner wall; and

each of the plurality of backflow flappers opening responsive to exhaust air from the duct exhaust point.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein:

each paddle of the plurality of paddles comprises a brush seal.

10. A device for regulating flow through a vent hood comprising:

a paddle wheel comprising a plurality of paddles, the paddle wheel rotating freely around an axle, wherein the paddle wheel rotates with the passage of air and is dimensioned to prevent the ingress of wildlife and dimensioned to permit the egress of air and debris.