PROCESS FOR FORMING A REGISTER BOX THAT IS ADAPTABLE TO DUCTWORK OF AN HVAC SYSTEM

Abstract

A process for forming a register box has a body formed with a plurality of side panels arranged in a generally square or rectangular configuration with a wall extending transverse to the side panels. A plurality of circular areas are cut into the wall. An expandable polymeric foam material is introduced into an interior of the body. The body is positioned in a fixture such that the wall is juxtaposed against a surface of the fixture. A plug is inserted into the interior of the body. The expandable polymeric foam material is expanded in the interior of the body such that the expandable polymeric foam material solidifies across the wall and around the plug. The plug is then removed from the body and the body is then removed from the fixture.

Claims

1. A process for forming a register box, the process comprising: forming a body having a plurality of side panels arranged in a generally square or rectangular configuration, the body having a wall extending transverse to the plurality of side panels, the plurality of side panels defining an opening opposite the wall; cutting a plurality of circular areas into the wall, at least one of the plurality of circular areas being adapted to be separated from a remainder of the wall; introducing an expandable polymeric foam material into an interior of the body; positioning the body into a fixture such that the wall is juxtaposed against a surface of the fixture; inserting a plug into the interior of the body; expanding the expandable polymeric foam material in the interior of the body such that the expandable polymeric foam material solidifies across the wall and around the plug; removing the plug from the body; and removing the body from the fixture.

2. The process of claim 1, wherein the step of cutting comprises: pre-perforating the plurality of circular areas in concentric relation to each other.

3. The process of claim 2, wherein the step of pre-perforating further comprises: forming the plurality of circular areas having a first circular area of approximately six inches in diameter and a second circular area of approximately seven inches in diameter and a third circular area of approximately eight inches in diameter.

4. The process of claim 2, wherein each of the plurality of circular areas is discontinuous with spaces between arc segments of a circle.

5. The process of claim 4, wherein each of the plurality of circular areas has four spaces respectively between four arc segments of the circle.

6. The process of claim 1, the step of cutting comprising: laser or plasma cutting the plurality of circular areas.

7. The process of claim 1, wherein the step of forming comprises: forming a flange extending inwardly from the plurality of side panels opposite the wall, the plug being inserted so as to bear against an inward edge of the flange.

8. The process of claim 1, further comprising: positioning a plastic liner over surfaces of the plug prior to the step of expanding the expandable polymeric foam material.

9. The process of claim 1, further comprising: locking the plug in the interior of the body and in the fixture during the step of expanding the expandable polymeric foam material.

10. The process of claim 1, further comprising: removing at least one of the plurality of circular areas from the wall of the body, cutting the expanded expandable polymeric foam material through the expandable polymeric foam material exposed by the removal of the at least one of the plurality of circular areas; and removing the cut expanded expandable polymeric foam material from a remainder of the expandable polymeric foam material at the wall of the body so as to open to the interior of the body.

11. The process of claim 10, the step of cutting the expanded expandable polymeric foam material comprising: cutting the expanded expandable polymeric foam material by using an edge of the remainder of at least one of the plurality of circular areas as a guide.

12. The process of claim 10, wherein the removed expanded expandable polymeric foam material has a diameter approximately equal to a diameter of the removed at least one of the plurality of circular areas.

13. The process of claim 10, further comprising: forming a collar having an outer diameter, the outer diameter of the collar being approximately equal to a diameter of the removed at least one of the plurality of circular areas.

14. The process of claim 13, further comprising: inserting the collar through the wall and through the area of the expanded expandable polymeric foam material exposed by the step of removing the cut expanded expandable polymeric foam material such that an interior of the collar opens to the interior of the body.

15. The process of claim 14, wherein the collar has a portion extending outwardly of the wall of the body.

16. The process of claim 15, further comprising: connecting the portion of the collar that extends outwardly of the wall of the body to ductwork of an HVAC system.

17. The process of claim 15, further comprising: sealing an exterior of the collar to the wall of the body.

18. The process of claim 14, the step of forming the collar comprising: forming a plurality of bendable tabs at an end of the collar; and bending the plurality of bendable tabs so that the plurality of bendable tabs resides at a surface of the expanded expandable polymeric foam material in the interior of the body.

19. A register box comprising: a body having a plurality of side panels arranged in a generally square or rectangular configuration, said body having a wall extending transverse to the plurality of side panels, the plurality of side panels defining an opening opposite the wall, the wall having a plurality of circular areas cut there into, at least one of the plurality of circular areas being selectively removable from the wall; an expandable polymeric foam material affixed within the body so as to reside against the wall and against the plurality of side panels of the body, a portion of the expandable polymeric foam material in the wall being removable at a location corresponding to the selectively removable at least one of the plurality of circular area; and a collar extending through the wall of the body and the expandable polymeric foam material so as to have one end opening to an interior of the body and an opposite end extending outwardly of the wall of the body.

20. The register box of claim 19, said collar having a plurality of bendable tabs formed at the one end, the plurality of bendable tabs being bent so as to overlie the expandable polymeric foam material in the interior of the body.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0051] FIG. 1 is an upper perspective view of the register box formed in accordance with the process of the teachings of the present invention.

[0052] FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the register box formed in accordance with the process of the present invention.

[0053] FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the register box formed in accordance with the process of the present invention.

[0054] FIG. 4 is a plan view showing the register box formed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the process of the present invention.

[0055] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the register box formed in accordance with the process of the present invention.

[0056] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing the register box as being formed in accordance with the process of the present invention.

[0057] FIG. 7 is an upper perspective view showing the removal of one of the circular areas in accordance teachings of the process of the present invention.

[0058] FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of the register box and collar that is formed in accordance with the process of the present invention.

[0059] FIG. 9 is a side elevational view showing the configuration of the collar formed in accordance with the process of the present invention.

[0060] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing the collar as installed within the register box formed in accordance with the process of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0061] FIG. 1 shows the register box 10 that has been formed in accordance with the teachings of the process of the present invention. The register box 10 includes a body 12 having a plurality of side panels 14, 16, 18 and 20 arranged in a generally rectangular or square configurations. Side panels 16 and 20 extend between side panels 14 and 18. A wall 22 extends in generally transverse relation to the plurality of side panels 14, 16, 18 and 20. A plurality of circular areas 24 is cut into the wall 22. The plurality of circular areas 24 defines a first circular area 26, a second circular area 28 and a third circular area 30. Each of the circular areas 26, 28 and 30 is laser or plasma cut into the wall 22. Each of the circular areas 26, 28 and 30 has a different diameter. These circular areas are cut through the thickness of the wall 22. Uncut spaces 32 and 34 are formed between the ends of arc segments of the circular areas. In particular, it can be seen that the circular area 26 has a first arc segment that is separated from a second arc segment by the spaces 32 and 34. Similarly, circular area 28 has arc segments that are separated by the uncut spaces 32 and 34. The circular area 30 has arc segments that are separated by the uncut spaces 32 and 34. The uncut spaces provide a place whereby each of the circular areas can be bent back-and-fourth so as to separate from the wall 22 (in the manner to be described hereinafter). The different diameters of the circular areas 26, 28 and 30 allows the register box 10 of the present invention to be adaptable to various collars received therein and extending therethrough. These collars are in the nature of collars that can be connected to the ductwork of an HVAC system.

[0062] FIG. 2 shows a side view of the register box 10 of the present invention. In particular, FIG. 2 shows the side panel 14. Side panel 14 extends transverse to the side panels 16 and 20. A flange 40 extends downwardly from the bottom of the register box 10. Flange 40 defines an opening at the bottom 42 opposite the wall 22.

[0063] FIG. 3 shows a bottom view of the register box 10 of the present invention. In particular, in FIG. 3, the expanded polymeric foam material 44 within the interior of the register box 10 is particularly illustrated. This expandable polymeric foam material 44 will reside against the inner surface of the wall 22 and against the inner surfaces of the side panels 14, 16, 18 and 20.

[0064] FIG. 3 shows that the side panel 14 has a flange 46 extending inwardly therefrom. Flange 40 extends downwardly from an edge of the flange 46 opposite side panel 14. Similarly, side panel 16 has a flange 48 that extends inwardly therefrom. Another flange 50 will extend outwardly from the edge of flange 48 opposite side panel 16. The side panel 18 has a flange 51 that extends inwardly therefrom. Another flange 52 will extend outwardly from the edge of flange 51 opposite to side panel 18. Side panel 20 has a flange 54 extending inwardly therefrom. Another flange 56 will extend outwardly from flange 54 at an edge opposite to the side panel 20. Flanges 40, 50, 52 and 56 define the opening 58. Opening 58 will be opposite to the circular areas 24 on the wall 22. As will be described hereinafter, the expandable polymeric foam material 44 will reside against the side panels 14, 16, 18 and 20 and will be generally retained within the area of the flanges 46, 48, 51 and 54.

[0065] FIG. 4 shows an alternative embodiment of register box 10. In register box 10, it can be seen that the wall 11 includes a plurality of circular areas 13, 15 and 17. In particular, circular area 13 has a diameter of approximately six inches. Circular area 15 has a diameter of approximately seven inches. Circular area 17 has a diameter of approximately eight inches. Each of the circular areas 13, 15 and 17 are concentric. Each of the circular areas 13, 15 and 17 is discontinuous with spaces 19, 21, 23 and 25 between arc segments of each of the circular areas 13, 15 and 17. In particular, can be seen that each of the circular areas 13, 15 and 17 has four spaces respectively between four arc segments 27, 29, 31 and 33. The circular areas are laser or plasma cut into the wall 11. The configuration of the circular areas 13, 15 and 17, as shown in FIG. 4, offers a better ability to resist deformation during the expanding of the expandable polymeric material within the interior of the register box 10. Each of the circular areas 13, 15 and 17 is pre-perforated through the wall 11. As such, a circle area of a desired diameter can be created by simply removing one or more of the circular areas 13, 15 and 17. The removal of at least one of the circular areas 13, 15 and 17 will expose the expanded expandable polymeric material located in the interior of the register box 10.

[0066] FIG. 5 shows the insulated register box 10 of the present invention with the expandable polymeric foam material 44 positioned within the interior of the register box 10. The void 60 is formed in the interior of the register box of the present invention in a manner to be described hereinafter. As can be seen, the expandable polymeric foam material is generally aligned with the flanges 50 and 56. The expandable polymeric foam material 44 will extend a similar distance away from the inner surface of the wall 22. It can be seen that the expandable polymeric foam material 44 has a portion 45 that resides against the inner surface of wall 22. As such, when at least one of the circular areas 13, 15 and 17 is removed, the surface of the expandable polymeric foam material 44 will be exposed. In order for a user to form the desired opening through the expandable polymeric foam material 44 at the wall 22, it is only necessary to cut or saw through the expandable polymeric foam material that is exposed by the removal of the circular area. This can be easily accomplished by simply using the outline of the removed circular area as a guide for the cutting or sawing. As such, a uniformed cut-out of the expanded expandable polymeric foam material can be achieved. This cut-out will have a similar diameter to that of the circular area that has been the removed from the wall 22. As such, the void 60 of the register box 10 is exposed. The hole created by sawing through the expandable polymeric foam material 44 will allow for the introduction of a collar into the void 60 (in the manner to be described hereinafter).

[0067] FIG. 6 shows the process for forming the register box 10. The register box 10 is shown as having side panels 16 and 20 and wall 22 extending between side panels 16 and 20. Wall 22 is positioned face down in fixture 61. Fixture 61 includes a surface 63 against which the wall 22 resides. As the expandable polymeric foam material 44 expands, the surface 63 of fixture 61 will resist the deformation of those areas defined by the circular areas 26, 28 and 30. The register box 10 is locked in position by fasteners 65. Fasteners 65 bear against the flanges 50 and 56 (or other surfaces) at the open end of the register box 10. Fasteners 65 will lock the register box 10 in place.

[0068] The expandable polymeric foam material 44 is initially introduced into an interior of the register box 10. The introduction of the expandable polymeric foam material can be carried out before or after the register box 10 is received within fixture 61. After the expandable polymeric foam material is introduced into the interior of the register box 10, a plug 67 is positioned within the register box 10 and also locked in place. A plastic sheet 69 is placed around the outer surfaces of the plug 67. Plastic sheet 69 allows the plug 67 to be removed from the expanded expandable polymeric foam material 44. Fasteners 65 serve to lock the plug 67 in position during the expansion of the expandable polymeric foam material 44.

[0069] Ultimately, after the expandable polymeric foam material 44 expands so as to extend against the side panels of the register box 10 and over the wall 22 of the register box 10, the plug 67 can be removed. The fastener 65 can be loosened and the plug 67 removed from the interior of the register box 10. This can be carried out by simply gripping the edges of the plastic sheet 69 and lifting the plug 67. As result of the removal of the plug 67, the void 60 of the register box is formed. The register box 10 can then be lifted from the fixture 61.

[0070] This process is carried out in a simple, easy and efficient manner. Multiple register boxes can be placed into a carousel-type fixture so that multiple register boxes can be created in an assembly line-style fashion. The manner of forming the void 60 of the register box 10 is described previously in conjunction with the U.S. Pat. No. 11,060,756 of the present Applicant. The locking of the wall 22 against the surface 63 of fixture 61 assures that the wall 22 is not deformed in the area of the circular areas during the expansion of the expandable polymeric foam material.

[0071] FIG. 7 illustrates the wall 22 during the removal of the circular area 70. In particular, FIG. 7 shows the circular areas 26, 28 and 30. Circular area 26 defines circular member or disc 70 therein. The circular member or disc 70 is of thirty gauge galvanized stainless steel. Importantly, each of the circular areas 26, 28 and 30 is sized so as to fit the various diameters of ductwork associated with HVAC systems. The circular area 26 is for smaller ducts. Circular area 28 is for intermediate size ducts. Circular area 30 is for larger diameter ducts. Importantly, so as to connect with the ductwork, the circular members or discs associated with these circular areas 26, 28 and 30 can be selectively removed so as to allow a collar to be inserted therein (in the manner described hereinafter).

[0072] In FIG. 7, it can be seen that the circular area 30 has a first arc segment 72 and a second arc segment 74. End 76 of arc segment 72 is spaced from end 78 of arc segment 74. Similarly, end 80 of arc segment 72 is separated from end 82 of arc segment 74. The similar spacing occurs with respect to the other circular areas 26 and 28. The spacing allows the particular circular area to be folded back-and-forth so as to separate the circular member or disc from the remainder of the wall. FIG. 7 shows a circular member or disc 70 as being folded in this manner. It is only necessary to grab an edge of the cut circle, lift it, and move it back-and-forth until the circular member or disc is separated from the remainder of the wall. This will expose the expandable polymeric foam material 44 located on the inner side of wall 22.

[0073] With reference to FIG. 7, the circular member or disc 70 will be separated from the remainder of the wall 22 such that the expandable polymeric foam material 44 is exposed. A knife, a saw, or similar device can be used so as to saw or cut through the expandable polymeric foam material 44 and follow the outline of the circular area 26. This will allow the expandable polymeric foam material 44 in the interior of the circular area 26 to be removed and to expose the interior 60 of the register box 10. Importantly, the configuration of the present invention makes it easy for a worker to create this hole in the expandable polymeric foam material 44. The edges of the wall a the removed circular areas can serve as a guide. As such, is only necessary for a worker to extend a knife, a saw, or similar device through the expandable polymeric foam material 44 and saw or cut around the perimeter of the opening left by the removal of the circular member or disc 70. As such, this will open to the interior of the register box 10.

[0074] With reference to FIG. 8, it can be seen that a collar 86, having a size corresponding to the diameter of the circular area 26, can be inserted into the opening. Collar 86 has a portion 87 extending outwardly of the wall 22 of the register box 10. The opposite end of the collar 86 will open to the void 60 of the register box 10. End 89 of collar 86 can be engaged or connected to the ductwork of an HVAC system. A sealant 94 can be applied in the area of the juncture between the collar 86 and the wall 22. The pliability of the expandable polymeric foam material 44 will ensure a tight seal between the exterior surfaces of the collar 86 and the expandable polymeric foam material.

[0075] FIG. 9 illustrates the manner in which the collar 86 is received within the interior of the register box. Collar 86 has a generally circular cross-section and a cylindrical shape. The outer diameter of the collar 86 will match the diameter of the opening created by the removal of one of the circular areas 26, 28 and 30. FIG. 9 shows that the collar 86 is received within the opening 28. Opening 28 will be formed through the wall 22 and through the expandable polymeric foam material 44 adjacent to the wall 22. The collar 86 is illustrated as having a plurality of bendable tabs 91 at the end that is opposite end 89. Bendable tabs 91 can be bent so as to overlie the expandable polymeric foam material adjacent to the wall 22. A seal flange 93 is placed in the area adjacent the outer surface of the wall 22 and around the outer diameter of the collar 86. Another O-ring seal 95 can be placed around the outer diameter of the collar 86 adjacent to the end 89. This O-ring seal 95 can be used so as to facilitate the air-tight joinder of the end 89 with the ductwork of an HVAC system.

[0076] FIG. 10 shows a further step in the process of the present invention. In FIG. 10, the removed circular element or disc 70 is separated from the remainder of the wall 22 such that the expandable polymeric foam material 44 is exposed. A knife can be used so as to saw through the expandable polymeric foam material 44 and a follow the outline of the circular area 26. This will allow the expandable polymeric foam material 44 in the interior of the circular area 26 to be removed and to expose the void 60 on the interior of the register box 10. This configuration makes it easy for a worker to create this hole in the expandable polymeric foam material 44. The edges of the cut circular area serve as a guide. It is only necessary for a worker to extend a knife, or similar device, into the expandable polymeric foam material 44 and saw around the perimeter of the opening left by the removal of the circular element or disc 70. As such, this will open area 84 within the register box 10. The collar 86, having a size corresponding to the diameter of the circular area 26, can then be inserted into the opening 88. As a result, collar 86 will have a portion 90 residing against the expandable polymeric material 44 and another portion 92 extending outwardly of the register box 10. Portion 92 can be engaged with the ductwork of an HVAC system. A sealant 94 (or seal flange) can be applied at the area of the juncture between the collar 86 and the wall 22. The pliability of the expandable polymeric foam material 44 will ensure a tight seal between the exterior surfaces of portion 90 and the expandable polymeric foam material 44.

[0077] FIG. 10 further shows that the bendable tabs 91 are folded outwardly so as to overlie the surfaces of the expandable polymeric foam material 44 that resides adjacent to the wall 22. The folding of the bendable tabs assures the secure placement of the collar 86 within the opening 88. It further serves to assure a tight fit between the portion 90 of the collar 86 and the surfaces of the expandable polymeric foam material 44. In order to bend the bendable tabs 91, a worker can simply use a tool in order to bend these tabs 91 after the collar 86 is installed in the register box 10.

[0078] The present invention offers a wide variety of advantages over the prior art. In particular, the process of the present invention allows the register box to be adaptable to ductwork of various HVAC systems. As such, it is not necessary for a customer to specify, with precision, the diameter of the ductwork for such an HVAC system. The register box 10 can be supplied for installation with various systems. Since the circular areas formed in the wall 22 can be selectively removed, they can be formed so as to match the diameter of the collar and the associated ductwork of the HVAC system. This also allows a better seal to be created when installed. Adaptation between unequal diameters is not required by the register box created by the process of the present invention. The register box created by the process of the present invention can be customized to the particular HVAC system and ductwork associated therewith.

[0079] The unique configuration of the register box created by the process of the present invention allows the cut circular area to serve as a guide for the cutting of the expandable polymeric foam material when forming the hole that opens to the void in the interior of the register box. This guide makes it easier for unskilled workers to form the proper diameter of the hole for accommodating the collar. Proper cuts are automatically achieved because of the configuration of the present invention. Unskilled workers can be used so as to adapt the register box created by the process of the present invention to the various sizes of ductwork of conventional HVAC systems.

[0080] The process of the present invention provides a register box with a smaller footprint for the storage and transportation. In the prior art, the collar is directly and rigidly affixed to the register box during the process of forming the register box. In the present invention, the collar can be shipped separate from the register box. The register boxes can easily be stacked one upon the other. This creates a very minimal footprint. The collars can be stored elsewhere for easy shipping. The installation of the collar within the register box can be carried out on-site with little or no difficulty.

[0081] The expandable polymeric foam material that is used on the interior of the register box is very energy efficient. The expandable polymeric foam material can be easily installed. This is particularly true since the expandable polymeric foam material residing against the inner surface of the wall does not need to be pre-formed. The expandable polymeric foam material that is used for the installation of the register box of the present invention can be simply injected into the interior of the register box so as to expand around a plug placed in the interior of the register box. The expandable polymeric foam material minimizes air loss since it covers all surfaces on the interior of the register box. This will improve the insulation rating of the register box. The expandable polymeric foam material is fire-resistant and is compliant with national building codes. The expandable polymeric foam material avoids the use of fibrous insulation and, as such, will improve the health and safety of the workers.

[0082] The foregoing disclosure and description of the invention is illustrative and explanatory thereof. The various changes in the details of the various steps of the present invention can be made within the scope of the present claims without departing from the true spirit of the invention. The present invention should only be limited by the following claims and their legal equivalents.