APPARATUS FOR DIVERTING AIR

Abstract

The present application is directed towards an apparatus for diverting air in a selected direction from an existing floor air vent. The apparatus for diverting air includes a sheet of flexible material having a front surface and a rear surface extending between front and rear edges and first and second side edges. The first and second side edges and the front and rear edges are configured to be securable to corresponding edges of the vent.

Description

RELATED U.S. APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of the earlier filed provisional application entitled APPARATUS FOR DIVERTING AIR filed Dec. 29, 2018 having App. No. 62/786,408.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to the field of forced air vents, particularly accessories for diverting air discharged from a forced air vent.

Many buildings including residential homes utilize forced air systems for heating and cooling of their homes. Such forced air systems typically include a central furnace or air conditioner as a heating or cooling source having an associated fan for means of air distribution. The system will also typically include a plurality of ducts extending from the fan to distribute the heated or cooled air throughout the building. Such ducts may be located within a floor or the ceiling of the building and will exit the floor or ceiling through forced air vents.

Many residential homes include vents and ducts which are located within the floor of a room and may typically comprise a rectangular shaped opening through the floor in fluidic communication with the duct. The vent may typically include a vent grill or cover applied thereover. The vent grill typically includes a sleeve sized to be received within the vent opening and a top flange sized to extend past and overlay the vent opening so as to retain the vent grill proximate to the floor. Typically, the vent grill will also include slots or an ornamental pattern through the top thereof to permit air provided from the duct to be passed therethrough.

One difficulty with such vents is that the air discharged therefrom will be directed in a generally upward direction. This may be problematic for some situations as such vents are typically located proximate around the periphery of room proximate to the walls thereof. Accordingly, the air discharged from the vent will be directed in a generally upward direction against the walls or windows of the room and less air may be directed into the middle of the room where the occupants may want it.

Previous attempts to solve the aforementioned problem have been unsatisfactory. In particular, some previous attempts have been to provide a shield or diverter having a rigid arcuate shape extending above the grill which may be secured to the vent. The shield or diverter is easily tripped over or often broken because of its rigid structure exposed above the flooring.

For the foregoing reasons, there is a need for an improved air diverter design.

SUMMARY

In accordance with the invention, an apparatus for diverting air is disclosed. The apparatus for diverting air generally allows air to be diverted in a selected direction from an existing floor air vent.

In a version of the application, the apparatus for diverting air generally comprises a) a sheet of flexible material having a front surface and a rear surface extending between a front and rear edges and first and second side edges, the first and second side edges and the front and rear edges being securable to corresponding edges of a vent; b) wherein the flexible sheet is movable between a resting position adjacent to the air vent and a raised position forming a cavity therein when air is discharged through the air vent; and c) at least one of the front and rear surfaces having at least one discontinuity forming an outlet therein for diverting and changing the airflow from the air vent.

These and other features of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a version of the invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view illustrating attachment of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the version shown in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view of the version shown in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, for purposes of explanation and not limitation, specific details are set forth such as particular architectures, interfaces, techniques, etc. in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced in other versions that depart from these specific details. In other instances, detailed descriptions of well-known devices, circuits, and methods are omitted so as not to obscure the description of the present invention with unnecessary detail.

Moreover, the description is not to be taken in the limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims. Various inventive features are described below that can each be used independently of one another or in combination with other features.

Unless otherwise defined, all technical terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the invention belongs. As used in the specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Any reference to “or” herein is intended to encompass “and/or” unless otherwise stated.

With reference to the figures, particularly FIG. 1-FIG. 4, a description of a version of the invention will be provided and is generally designated as numeral 10. Generally, the application is directed towards an apparatus for diverting air discharged from a forced air vent 08 (FIG. 2).

Referring to FIG. 2, a typical forced air vent 70 is shown as embedded within home flooring 72. The forced air vent 70 includes a rectangular frame 74 having opposing longitudinal perimeters 76, 77 and opposing lateral perimeters 78, 79 forming a rectangular space 80 therebetween for passing airflow therethrough. Typical forced air vents 70 further include slots 82 for directing the airflow to one side and may be adjustable in order to redirect airflow.

FIG. 2 illustrates a version of the application which is coupled with the above described and shown forced air vent 70. The illustration shows the invention as inflated throughout operation and while airflow is present through the forced air vent 70. Generally, the apparatus for diverting air 10 inflates and provides optional redirection of the airflow through one or more outlets 12. When airflow is not present, the apparatus 10 deflates and lays flat/deflated on the forced air vent 70.

Generally, as illustrated by FIG. 1, a version of the apparatus for diverting air 10 discharged from a forced air vent 70 may include a sheet of flexible material 14 having a front surface 16 and a rear surface 18 extending between a front and rear edges 20, 21 and first and second side edges 22, 23. The first and second side edges 22, 23 and the front and rear edges 20, 21 being securable to corresponding perimeters of the vent, namely the longitudinal and lateral perimeters, 76, 78 of the forced air vent 70. In certain versions, the flexible sheet 14 is movable between a resting position adjacent to the air vent 70 and a raised position forming a cavity 24 therein when air is discharged through the air vent 70; and at least one of the front and rear surfaces 16, 18 having at least one discontinuity forming an outlet 12 therein for diverting and changing the airflow from the air vent 70.

As best illustrated by FIG. 2, the apparatus 10 is designed to be attachably removable to the perimeter of the air vent 70 by way of an attachment means. As shown, the first and second side edges 22, 23 and the front and rear edges 20, 21 include the means for attaching to the perimeter of the forced air vent. Example means for attaching may include, but are not limited to, hook and loop fasteners (Velcro) 26, one or more magnets, adhesive tape, snaps, or adhesive. Therefore, during operation, the first and second side edges 22, 23 and front and rear edges 20, 21 align with the air vent 70 perimeter to form a seal encapsulating the flow of air through the air vent 70 within the cavity 24.

In the illustrated version, the sheet 14 is constructed that the material is bendable to an arcuate shape cross-section while in the raised position (See FIG. 1). In other versions, the sheet 14 may be bendable to a rectangular shape cross-section while in the raised position (not shown).

As described above, the front and rear surface 16, 18 have at least one discontinuity forming an outlet 12 therein for diverting and changing the airflow flowing from the air vent 70. In the illustrated version, there are five outlets 12 on the front surface 16 and mirrored five outlets on the rear surface 18, configured in a staggered formation. Each outlet 12 is formed in the shape of a rectangle. Other versions may be square, circular, or any shape that provides an outlet 12 or flow of air through the respective surface. In a detailed version, each outlet 12 has a reciprocal laterally aligned outlet 12 on the opposing surface.

In other versions, and as illustrated, the opposing side surfaces 32, 33 may further include one or more outlets 12 providing flow of air through the apparatus 10 laterally.

Optionally and as best illustrated by FIG. 3, the one or more outlets 12 may comprise one or more selectively attachable outlet covers 34—wherein the one or more selectively attachable outlet covers 34 provide a surface area larger than the area of the requisite outlet 12. Preferably, the selectively attachable outlet covers 34 are attachable by way of hook and loop material 36 or equivalent such as a magnet or selective adhesive.

In certain versions, the internal cavity 24 may further include an object which provides a fragrance 38 to the airflow—which is chosen by the user according to personal preference of air quality and smell (See FIG. 4). Preferably, the object for providing fragrance 38 is attached to the interior surface 40 of the apparatus 10. Example, objects which provide fragrance may include, but is not limited to, a material having an embedded scent such as a dryer sheet or equivalent. Other versions may include a pocket which is adapted to receive and hold a scented material.

In yet other versions, the apparatus for diverting air 10 may boast a creative design such as a team logo, cartoon characters or other indicia displayed outward on the flexible material. In other versions, the apparatus 10 for diverting air may include lights for illuminating the cavity 24. Moreover, the illuminated cavity and lights may be configured to emphasize the creative design.

The apparatus 10 can be made in any manner and of any material chosen with sound engineering judgment. Preferably, materials will be strong, lightweight, long lasting, economic, ergonomic, and buoyant. Example materials may be selected from the group consisting of plastic, rubber, synthetic material, and fabric.

The invention does not require that all the advantageous features and all the advantages need to be incorporated into every version of the invention.

Although preferred embodiments of the invention have been described in considerable detail, other versions and embodiments of the invention are certainly possible. Therefore, the present invention should not be limited to the described embodiments herein.

All features disclosed in this specification including any claims, abstract, and drawings may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose unless expressly stated otherwise.

Claims

1. An apparatus for diverting air discharged from a forced air vent comprising:

a) a sheet of flexible material having a front surface and a rear surface extending between a front and rear edges and first and second side edges, the first and second side edges and the front and rear edges being securable to corresponding edges of the vent;

b) wherein the flexible sheet is movable between a resting position adjacent to the air vent and a raised position forming a cavity therein when air is discharged through the air vent; and

c) at least one of the front and rear surfaces having at least one discontinuity forming an outlet therein for diverting and changing the airflow from the air vent.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the sheet is bendable to an arcuate shape cross-section while in the raised position.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the sheet is bendable to a rectangular shape cross-section while in the raised position.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the sheet is formed of a material selected from the group consisting of plastic, rubber, synthetic material, and fabric.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one continuity is in the shape of a rectangle.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the shape is a square.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each of the front and rear surface comprises at least two laterally aligned outlets.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the at least one continuity is in the shape of a rectangle.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the shape is a square.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an upper surface containing an object which provides a fragrance to the airflow.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first and second side edges and the front and rear edges include a means for attaching to the perimeter of the forced air vent.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the means for attaching is chosen from the group of hook and loop fastener, one or more magnets, an adhesive tape, snaps, or adhesive.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising one or more selectively attachable outlet covers.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the one or more selectively attachable outlet covers provides a surface area larger than the area of the requisite outlet.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the selectively attachable outlet covers are attachable by way of hook and loop material.

16. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a creative design such as a team logo or other indicia displayed outward on the flexible material.