Variable Slot Length Adjustment Vent

Abstract

A vent with an adjustable baffle is disclosed. As the baffle is rotated away from the frame of the vent a corresponding opening is formed though which air may flow. The vent further has features which constrict the width of the opening in response to how far the baffle is opened. When the baffle is partially opened, these constricting features block a portion of the vent opening resulting in an opening of a certain width. The baffle can be opened further to a point beyond the constricting feature so that a wider vent opening is created. The design allows for more, and easier control of air flow in a system and can increase the distance air coming though the vent moves into the space before it descends.

Claims

1. A vent comprising a frame, a baffle, and a restrictor means, a. said frame comprising a first axis, a second axis, a third axis, and an outer face parallel to said first axis, b. said baffle comprising a top portion, a bottom, a first axis, a second axis, a third axis, an inner face, an outer face, a first edge, and a second edge, said second edge of the baffle being attached to the frame at a pivot point and capable of motion on said pivot point, c. said restrictor means comprising at least one restrictor, said baffle further comprising a closed position when the outer face of the baffle is parallel to, and in the same plane as the outer face of said frame, at least one intermediate position in which the baffle is rotated on the pivot point to create an intermediate vent opening between said first edge of the baffle and the vent frame, said first vent opening having a width less than the width of the baffle, and a fully open position in which the baffle is rotated on the pivot point to create a second vent opening being substantially as wide as the width of the baffle.

2. The vent of claim 1 in which said restrictor means comprises at least one structure extending from the top portion of the inner face of the baffle such that said structure is within the frame when said baffle is in the closed position, and moves into the space between said first edge of the baffle and the vent frame, created by the baffle pivoting from the closed position of the baffle to an intermediate position.

3. The vent of claim 1 in which said restrictor means further comprises a restrictor movement means which moves the restrictor means in response to movement of the baffle.

4. The vent of claim 1 in which said restrictor means further comprises a restrictor movement means, a. said restrictor movement means comprising a hinge connected to said frame, b. said hinge having an axis and capable of rotating along said axis in response to movement of the baffle such that movement of the baffle from the closed position to an intermediate position causes the hinge to rotate and move said restrictor means into the space between the frame and the first edge of the baffle.

5. The vent of claim 1 in which said restrictor means further comprises a restrictor movement means, a. said restrictor movement means comprising a hinge connected to said frame, and a mechanical means, b. said hinge having an axis and capable of rotating along said axis in response to work done on said restrictor movement means by the mechanical means in response to movement of the baffle such that movement of the baffle from the closed position to an intermediate position causes the hinge to rotate and move said restrictor means into the space between the frame and the top of the baffle.

6. The vent of claim 1 in which said restrictor means further comprises a restrictor movement means, a. said restrictor movement means comprising a hinge connected to said frame, and a mechanical means, b. said mechanical means comprising a spring which is compressed when said baffle is in the closed position and expands when the first edge of the baffle moves from the closed position toward an intermediate position. c. said hinge having an axis and capable of rotating along said axis in response to work done on said restrictor movement means by the mechanical means in response to movement of the baffle such that movement of the baffle from the closed position to an intermediate position causes the hinge to rotate and move said restrictor means into the space between the frame and the top portion of the baffle, and movement of the baffle from an intermediate position to the closed position causes the spring to compress and the hinge to rotate causing the restrictor means to retract into the frame.

7. The vent of claim 1 in which said restrictor means comprises a trapezoid flap connected to the frame by a hinge, said trapezoid flap resting on the top portion of the baffle when said baffle is in an intermediate position and blocking a portion of the space between the first edge of the baffle and the frame.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS:

[0015] FIG. 1 is a view of an embodiment of the vent with a closed baffle.

[0016] FIG. 2 is a view of a first embodiment of the vent with a partially opened baffle.

[0017] FIG. 3 is a view of a first embodiment of the vent with a fully opened baffle.

[0018] FIG. 4 is a view of baffle and restrictors of the first embodiment of the vent, separated from the frame.

[0019] FIG. 5 is a view of a second embodiment of the vent with a partially opened baffle.

[0020] FIG. 6 is a view of a second embodiment of the vent with a fully opened baffle.

[0021] FIG. 7 is a view of the vent frame and a restrictor of the second embodiment of the vent, separated from the baffle, and with the restrictor retracted inside the vent frame as it would be if the baffle was in its closed position.

[0022] FIG. 8 is a view of the vent frame and a restrictor of the second embodiment of the vent, separated from the baffle, and with the restrictor fully expanded into the space formed by the baffle being in its fully open position.

[0023] FIG. 9 is a view of a third embodiment of the vent with a closed baffle.

[0024] FIG. 10 is a view of a third embodiment of the vent with a partially opened baffle.

[0025] FIG. 11 is a view of a third embodiment of the vent with a fully opened baffle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS:

[0026] The following description and referenced drawings illustrate embodiments of the application's subject matter. They are not intended to limit the scope. Those familiar with the art will recognize that other embodiments of the disclosed method are possible. All such alternative embodiments should be considered within the scope of the application's claims.

[0027] Each reference number consists of three digits. The first digit corresponds to the number of the figure in which that reference number is first shown. Reference numbers are not necessarily discussed in the order of their appearance in figures.

[0028] As used here, a wall is a substantially solid structure that blocks nearly all air from passing though it. A vent is structure which, when mounted in a hole in a wall, can control the passage of air though said space via one or more air blocking means. A frame is a the portion of a vent which contacts the physical structure surrounding said hole in a wall. A baffle is a movable item such as a slat, which may restrict the flow of air though an associated vent. In most embodiments, the baffle is attached to the frame of the vent. A vent opening is the portion of the vent which is not blocked by another structure though which air flows. A restrictor is a structure attached to a baffle or a frame which lengthens or shortens the width of the vent opening as a function of the position of the baffle. A restrictor means is comprised of at least one restrictor.

[0029] There are preferred embodiments in which the restrictor means is stationary and also in which the restrictor means is hinged and can move when the baffle is adjusted. Either type of restrictor means may be attached the frame or to the baffle. Accordingly, the drawings are just examples of preferred embodiments and should not be construed to limit the scope of the claims to just the illustrated designs. Drawings are not to scale.

[0030] A vent (101) is associated with a surrounding frame (102). A baffle (103) is attached to the frame and can move in relation to the frame. The position of the baffle in relation to the frame determines whether the vent is closed (FIGS. 1, 9), partially open (FIGS. 2, 5, 10), or fully open (FIGS. 3, 6, 11). In most preferred embodiments, the baffle is attached to the frame along a pivot point (104) such as a hinge.

[0031] In certain preferred embodiments, the baffle comprises a restrictor means (FIGS. 1, 2, 3, and 4). In other embodiments, a restrictor means is attached to the frame.(FIGS. 5, 6, 7, and 8).

[0032] The baffle may have an effectively infinite number of positions, however, we define closed as the position where the baffle is fully closed and prevents nearly all air from moving through the vent and fully open as the position when the baffle is open as fully as it can be. Between the closed and fully open positions is at least one intermediate position in which the vent is partially open and where air may pass though the vent but the vent opening is constrained by the restrictor means.

[0033] In a first preferred embodiment, a vent (101) comprises a frame (102) and a baffle (103). Said frame comprising a outer face (108). The baffle comprises a longitudinal X axis (105), a Y axis (106), a Z axis (107), a first edge (201) a second edge (202), a top portion (206), an inner face (401) and an outer face (109). The second edge is attached to the hinged region on the frame. In response to work being done on the baffle, the baffle rotates and it's first edge moves further from, or closer to, the frame. When the baffle is in an intermediate position or fully open, a vent opening is formed between the frame and the baffle. The first edge of the baffle comprises a restrictor means (203) comprising at least one restrictor (204). Said restrictor having as width (301), a depth (302), a first edge (303) and a second edge (304). The first edge of the restrictor is attached to, or continuous with, a portion of the first edge of the baffle. The first edge of the restrictor extends from the first edge of the baffle into the frame such that partially opening the baffle creates a vent opening (205) across part of the baffle's X axis which allows air to flow through said vent opening, while at the same time said restrictor means prevents air from flowing though that portion of the first edge of the baffle connected to, or continuous with, the restrictor means. Further opening the baffle by causing the baffle's first edge to move farther from the frame such that the restrictor means are fully extracted from the frame, creating a vent opening across the entire x axis of the baffle. Alternatives to this embodiment may have the restrictor attached to the frame instead of the baffle.

[0034] In a second preferred embodiment, the baffle comprises a longitudinal X axis (105), a Y axis (106), a Z axis (107), a first edge (201) a top portion (206), a second edge (202), an inner face (401) and an outer face (109). The second edge is attached to the hinged region (104) on the frame. In response to work being done on the hinge, the baffle rotates and it's first edge moves further from, or closer to, the frame. When the baffle is in an intermediate position or fully open, a vent opening is formed between the frame and the baffle. The frame of the baffle comprises a restrictor means (203) comprising at least one restrictor (204). Said restrictor having as width (301), a depth (302), a first edge (701) and a second edge (601). The first edge of the restrictor is attached to, or continuous with, a portion of the frame. The restrictor means further comprises a restrictor movement means (702). In a most preferred embodiment, the restrictor movement means is a hinge and when the baffle is closed the restrictor means is retracted inside the frame. As the baffle is moved from closed to an intermediate position, the restrictor means pivots about the hinge (702), and constricts the width of the resulting vent opening. The movement of said hinge is constrained by a means such as a pin (703) such that the restrictor means doesn't pivot throughout the entire path of the baffle as the baffle is moved from an intermediate position to its fully open position. In this way, the angle between the restrictor means and the vent frame is kept to less than 90 degrees, so the restrictor means can be pushed back into the frame by the baffle. Moving the baffle from an intermediate position to its closed position causes the baffle to contact the restrictor means and push the restrictor means to its retracted position. In some preferred embodiments, said restrictor movement means further comprises a mechanical means (704) which causes the movement of the restrictor means when said baffle moves from the closed position of the baffle to an intermediate position of the baffle. In a preferred embodiment, the mechanical means is a spring which contracts when the baffle is closed and extends as the baffle is opened. In other embodiments, there is no mechanical means, and gravity causes the restrictor means to move when the baffle position in changes. Such embodiments are preferred for vents mounted on the ceiling. Alternatives to this embodiment may have the restrictor attached to the baffle instead of the frame.

[0035] In yet another embodiment, the baffle has a longitudinal X axis (104), a transverse Y axis (105), a Z axis (106), a first edge (201) and a second edge (202). The second edge is attached to the pivot point (104) of the frame. In response to work being done on the hinge, the baffle rotates and it's first edge moves further from, or closer to, the frame. When the baffle is in an intermediate position or fully open, a vent opening (1001) is formed between the frame and the baffle.

[0036] The frame of the vent comprises a restrictor (901). Said restrictor having a first edge with a width (902), a second edge with a width (903), an intermediate width area (904), and a depth (905). The first edge of the restrictor is attached to, or continuous with, a portion of the frame. Said width of the first edge of the restrictor is greater than said second width, and the intermediate width area decreases from the first edge to the second edge along the depth of the baffle forming a incline between said first width and said second width. As the baffle is moved from its closed position to its fully open position, the restrictor initially restricts airflow along the width of the second edge of the restrictor. As the baffle is further moved towards its fully open position, the area of the vent opening blocked by said restrictor as compared to the area of the vent opening unblocked by said restrictor decreases and air flow increases through the vent opening. In other alternative designs of this embodiment, the restrictor has a plurality of intermediate widths or steps instead of a incline. Other embodiments may have said restrictor mounted on the baffle. Yet other embodiments may have said restrictor capable of movement about an axis instead of having a fixed position.

[0037] In the drawings there is a lateral gap (205) shown between the at least partially open baffle and the frame. This gap is present to better show the inside of the vent. In practice this lateral gap may be blocked to further constrain airflow. The presence of such a gap blocking means is not part of the invention.

[0038] The subject matter of this application discloses a novel and useful design for a vent. Such a vent may be useful in several applications, although it may be most useful in livestock housing, particularly poultry houses.