U.S. patent application number 11/968250 was filed with the patent office on 2009-07-02 for grille.
Invention is credited to John R. Adrian, Brent E. Coffey, Jesse Allen Hollingsworth, Kenneth J. Jonas, David L. Pringle.
Application Number | 20090170421 11/968250 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40799069 |
Filed Date | 2009-07-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090170421 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Adrian; John R. ; et
al. |
July 2, 2009 |
GRILLE
Abstract
The present invention provides, among other things, an exhaust
vent fan including a housing having an inlet through which air is
received within the housing and an outlet through which the air
exits the housing, a fan wheel supported in the housing and
operable to generate a flow of the air out of the outlet, a
louvered first grille positioned across the inlet, a heating
element supported in the housing, and a second grille supported on
the housing and being moveable relative to the first grille while
the first grille is secured to the housing to direct a heated air
flow from the heating element out of the housing.
Inventors: |
Adrian; John R.; (Oshkosh,
WI) ; Coffey; Brent E.; (Pewaukee, WI) ;
Hollingsworth; Jesse Allen; (West Bend, WI) ; Jonas;
Kenneth J.; (Mequon, WI) ; Pringle; David L.;
(Waukesha, WI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MICHAEL BEST & FRIEDRICH LLP
100 E WISCONSIN AVENUE, Suite 3300
MILWAUKEE
WI
53202
US
|
Family ID: |
40799069 |
Appl. No.: |
11/968250 |
Filed: |
January 2, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
454/349 ;
454/354 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F24F 13/06 20130101;
F24F 7/06 20130101; F24F 13/20 20130101; F24F 2221/34 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
454/349 ;
454/354 |
International
Class: |
F24F 7/10 20060101
F24F007/10; F24F 7/06 20060101 F24F007/06 |
Claims
1. An exhaust vent fan comprising: a housing having an inlet
through which air is received within the housing and an outlet
through which the air exits the housing; a fan wheel supported in
the housing and operable to generate a flow of the air out of the
outlet; a louvered first grille positioned across the inlet; a
heating element supported in the housing; and a second grille
supported on the housing and being moveable relative to the first
grille while the first grille is secured to the housing to direct a
heated air flow from the heating element out of the housing.
2. The exhaust vent fan of claim 1, wherein the second grille is
supported on the first grille for movement relative to the
housing.
3. The exhaust vent fan of claim 1, further comprising a locking
arrangement for maintaining the second grille in a pivoted position
with respect to the first grille.
4. The exhaust vent fan of claim 3, wherein the locking arrangement
includes an elastic member positioned between the second grille and
the first grille and operable to maintain the second grille in the
position with respect to the first grille.
5. The exhaust vent fan of claim 1, wherein the second grille
includes an actuator extending outwardly away from the housing and
engageable with a tool for moving the second grille with respect to
the first grille while the second grille is secured to the first
grille.
6. The exhaust vent fan of claim 1, wherein the second grille
extends through an opening in the first grille.
7. The exhaust vent fan of claim 1, wherein an exterior surface of
the second grille is recessed below an exterior surface of the
first grille.
8. An exhaust vent fan comprising: a housing having an inlet
through which air is received within the housing and an outlet
through which the air exits the housing; a fan wheel supported in
the housing and operable to generate a flow of the air out of the
outlet; a first grille positioned across the inlet; a second grille
supported on the housing and being moveable relative to the housing
to direct an air flow from the heating element out of the housing;
and a locking arrangement including an actuator extending outwardly
away from the housing proximate an exterior surface of the first
grille and being engageable with a tool for moving the second
grille with respect to the first grille.
9. The exhaust vent fan of claim 8, further comprising a heating
element supported in the housing, and wherein the second grille is
moveable relative to the housing to direct a heated air flow from
the heating element out of the housing.
10. The exhaust vent fan of claim 8, wherein the second grille is
pivotable about an axis extending through the second grille and the
housing at least 270 degrees with respect to the housing while the
first grille is secured to the housing.
11. The exhaust vent fan of claim 8, wherein the second grille
extends through an opening in the first grille.
12. The exhaust vent fan of claim 8, further comprising a locking
arrangement for securing the second grille in a pivoted position
with respect to the first grille.
13. The exhaust vent fan of claim 12, wherein the locking
arrangement includes an elastic member operable to maintain the
second grille in the position.
14. The exhaust vent fan of claim 8, wherein the actuator is
recessed below an exterior surface of the first grille.
15. A method of operating an exhaust vent fan, the method
comprising the acts of: operating a fan wheel supported in the
housing to draw air into the housing through an inlet defined in
the housing and through a first grille secured to the housing and
to direct the air out of the housing through an outlet defined in
the housing; selectively activating a heating element supported in
the housing to heat an air flow; directing the air flow from the
heating element out of the housing through a second grille
supported on the housing; and moving the second grille relative to
the first grille while the first grille is secured to the housing
to direct the heated air flow from the heating element out of the
housing.
16. The method of claim 15, wherein directing the air flow through
the second grille includes directing the air flow across louvers
supported in the second grille.
17. The method of claim 15, wherein moving the second grille
relative to the first grille includes pivoting the second grille
about an axis extending through the second grille and the housing
at least 270 degrees with respect to the first grille.
18. The method of claim 15, further comprising securing the second
grille in a pivoted position with respect to the first grille with
a locking arrangement.
19. The method of claim 15, wherein moving the second grille
relative to the first grille includes compressing an elastic member
with one of the second grille and the first grille.
20. The method of claim 15, wherein moving the second grille
relative to the first grille includes engaging the second grille
with a tool.
21. An exhaust vent fan comprising: a housing having an inlet
through which air is received within the housing and an outlet
through which the air exits the housing; a fan wheel supported in
the housing and operable to generate a flow of the air out of the
outlet; a louvered first grille positioned across the inlet; and a
second grille extending through an opening in the first grille and
being moveable relative to the housing to direct an air flow out of
the housing.
22. The exhaust vent fan of claim 21, further comprising a heating
element supported in the housing, and wherein the second grille is
moveable relative to the housing to direct a heated air flow from
the heating element out of the housing.
23. The exhaust vent fan of claim 21, wherein the second grille is
moveable relative to the first grille while the first grille is
secured to the housing.
24. The exhaust vent fan of claim 21, wherein the second grille
includes an actuator engageable with a tool for moving the second
grille with respect to the first grille while the second grille is
secured to the first grille.
25. The exhaust vent fan of claim 21, further comprising an elastic
member positioned between the second grille and the first grille
and operable to maintain the second grille in a position with
respect to the first grille.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to an exhaust vent fan and a
method of operating an exhaust vent fan, and more particularly to
an exhaust vent fan having a heating element and a method of
operating the same.
SUMMARY
[0002] In some embodiments, the present invention provides an
exhaust vent fan including a housing having an inlet through which
air is received within the housing and an outlet through which the
air exits the housing, a fan wheel supported in the housing and
operable to generate a flow of the air out of the outlet, a
louvered first grille positioned across the inlet, a heating
element supported in the housing, and a second grille supported on
the housing and being moveable relative to the first grille while
the first grille is secured to the housing to direct a heated air
flow from the heating element out of the housing.
[0003] The present invention also provides an exhaust vent fan
including a housing having an inlet through which air is received
within the housing and an outlet through which the air exits the
housing, a fan wheel supported in the housing and operable to
generate a flow of the air out of the outlet, a first grille
positioned across the inlet, a second grille supported on the
housing and being moveable relative to the housing to direct an air
flow from the heating element out of the housing, and a locking
arrangement including an actuator extending outwardly away from the
housing proximate an exterior surface of the first grille and being
engageable with a tool for moving the second grille with respect to
the first grille.
[0004] In addition, the present invention provides a method of
operating an exhaust vent fan. The method can include the act of
operating a fan wheel supported in the housing to draw air into the
housing through an inlet defined in the housing and through a first
grille secured to the housing and to direct the air out of the
housing through an outlet defined in the housing. The method can
also include the acts of selectively activating a heating element
supported in the housing to heat an air flow, directing the air
flow from the heating element out of the housing through a second
grille supported on the housing, and moving the second grille
relative to the first grille while the first grille is secured to
the housing to direct the heated air flow from the heating element
out of the housing.
[0005] In some embodiments, the present invention provides an
exhaust vent fan including a housing having an inlet through which
air is received within the housing and an outlet through which the
air exits the housing, a fan wheel supported in the housing and
operable to generate a flow of the air out of the outlet, a
louvered first grille positioned across the inlet, and a second
grille extending through an opening in the first grille and being
moveable relative to the housing to direct an air flow out of the
housing.
[0006] Other aspects of the invention will become apparent by
consideration of the detailed description and accompanying
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1 is a bottom perspective view of an exhaust vent fan
according to some embodiments of the present invention.
[0008] FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the exhaust vent fan shown in
FIG. 1.
[0009] FIG. 3 is a rear view of the exhaust vent fan shown in FIG.
1.
[0010] FIG. 4 is a front view of the exhaust vent fan shown in FIG.
1.
[0011] FIG. 5 is a right side view of the exhaust vent fan shown in
FIG. 1.
[0012] FIG. 6 is a left side view of the exhaust vent fan shown in
FIG. 1.
[0013] FIG. 7 is a top view of a first grille and a second grille
of the exhaust vent fan shown in FIG. 1.
[0014] FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the exhaust vent
fan shown in FIG. 1.
[0015] FIG. 9 is a perspective cross-sectional view of the exhaust
vent fan taken along line 9-9.
[0016] FIG. 10 is a perspective cross-sectional view taken along
line 10-10.
[0017] FIG. 11 is a perspective cross-sectional view taken along
line 11-11.
[0018] FIG. 12 is an exploded view of the first grille and the
second grille shown in FIG. 7.
[0019] FIG. 13 is an enlarged view of the second grille shown in
FIG. 7.
[0020] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a transition outlet fitting
shown in FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0021] Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in
detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in
its application to the details of construction and the arrangement
of components set forth in the following description or illustrated
in the following drawings. The invention is capable of other
embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in
various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and
terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and
should not be regarded as limiting. The use of "including,"
"comprising," or "having" and variations thereof herein is meant to
encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as
well as additional items.
[0022] Unless specified or limited otherwise, the terms "mounted,"
"connected," "supported," and "coupled" and variations thereof are
used broadly and encompass both direct and indirect mountings,
connections, supports, and couplings. Further, "connected" and
"coupled" are not restricted to physical or mechanical connections
or couplings.
[0023] Also, it is to be understood that phraseology and
terminology used herein with reference to device or element
orientation (such as, for example, terms like "central," "upper,"
"lower," "front," "rear," and the like) are only used to simplify
description of the present invention, and do not alone indicate or
imply that the device or element referred to must have a particular
orientation. In addition, terms such as "first" and "second" are
used herein for purposes of description and are not intended to
indicate or imply relative importance or significance.
[0024] With reference to the figures, an exemplary ventilating and
heating apparatus, or exhaust vent fan, is shown generally at 10.
In some embodiments of the present invention, the apparatus 10
generally includes a main housing 14, a ventilation assembly 18 for
moving air into and through the apparatus 10, a lighting assembly
22 for providing illumination, a heating assembly 26 for heating an
airflow through the apparatus 10, and at least one mounting bracket
30 for mounting the apparatus 10 to one or more surfaces or support
structures. Various embodiments of the present invention can employ
any one or more of these elements and structures (and any
combination thereof) as desired. Accordingly, the various features
and elements of the present invention described herein and
illustrated in the figures can be employed in assemblies having
different structures and functional capabilities.
[0025] In some embodiments, the apparatus 10 is employed to
ventilate, illuminate, and/or heat a room, area, or space. With
reference to the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 1-14, the lighting
assembly 22 can illuminate a room, the ventilating assembly 18 can
draw air from the room into the main housing 14, and the heating
assembly 26 can draw air from the room, heat the air, and discharge
the air back into the room at an elevated temperature.
[0026] The main housing 14 can be formed of any material desired,
and in some embodiments is constructed of a material capable of
withstanding varying temperatures and can also provide structural
integrity to the apparatus 10. In some embodiments, the main
housing 14 is formed of sheet metal. In other embodiments, the main
housing 14 is instead formed of a ceramic or a polymer material.
The main housing 14 can have any shape, including a rectangular
box-like shape as shown in FIGS. 1-14, an oval shape, a
hemispherical or spherical shape, a pyramidal shape, and the like.
The main housing 14 can form a base or frame for the apparatus 10,
thereby providing points and areas of attachment for other
components of the apparatus 10.
[0027] In some embodiments, the main housing 14 of the apparatus 10
can include or be used in conjunction with one or more elongated
mounting brackets 30 for mounting the apparatus 10 to a variety of
support structures or surfaces. Any number and type of mounting
brackets 30 known to those skilled in the art can be used with the
apparatus 10. The illustrated exemplary embodiment employs two
mounting brackets 30 formed of sheet metal. Although the mounting
bracket(s) 30 can be located in any position(s) on the main housing
14 suitable to support the apparatus 10 with respect to surrounding
structure, in some cases the mounting brackets 30 are attached to
opposite side walls of the main housing 14. Alternatively, the main
housing 14 can be mounted directly (via any of a variety of
fasteners and fastening methods) to a support structure or surface,
thereby eliminating the need for mounting brackets 30.
[0028] Some embodiments of the apparatus 10 include a first
louvered grille 34 connected to the main housing 14. The
illustrated exemplary main housing 14 has a generally box-like
shape with an open end. The illustrated first grille 34 has a
generally rectangular shape, but can instead take any other shape
matching or substantially matching the shape of the main housing
14. In other embodiments, the first grille 34 can have a shape
different than that of the main housing 14 it covers.
[0029] The first grille 34 can be positioned over an open side of
the main housing 14. In some embodiments (e.g., the embodiment
illustrated in FIGS. 1-14), an open end of the main housing 14 is
shaped and dimensioned to be received within an open end of the
first grille 34. In some embodiments, the first grille 34 is formed
from a molded plastic material. In other embodiments, the first
grille 34 is formed from a metallic material, such as sheet
metal.
[0030] The first grille 34 can be secured to the main housing 14 by
one or more snap-fit features on the first grille 34 and/or main
housing 14, any of a variety of conventional fasteners (e.g.,
screws, bolts, rivets, pins, clamps, and the like), welding,
soldering, brazing, adhesive or cohesive bonding material, a
combination thereof, and the like. In some such cases, the main
housing 14 can be provided with one or more lips, flared edges,
flanges, or other features to which the first grille 34 can attach.
By way of example only, the main housing 14 in the illustrated
exemplary embodiment has peripheral flanges 35 to which the first
grille 34 can attach. In other embodiments, the first grille 34 can
be shaped and dimensioned to be received within the main housing 14
for attachment thereto in any of the manners described above. In
any of the main housing and cover configurations, the main housing
14 and/or the first grille 34 can be provided with apertures
through which fasteners can be passed to secure the first grille 34
to the main housing 14.
[0031] With reference to FIGS. 1, 2, 7, 8, and 10-12, the first
grille 34 can include a first set of apertures, or louvers 38
extending across a first inlet 37 defined by the main housing 14
for receiving a flow of air. The louvers 38 can be located anywhere
on the first grille 34 depending at least partially upon the
airflow path(s) available within the main housing 14 from the
louvers 38 to the ventilating assembly 18. In some embodiments, the
louvers 38 are located in a part of the first grille 34 covering
the ventilating assembly 18. The first set of louvers 38 can guide
air (which can include moisture, steam, smoke, exhaust, and the
like) to the ventilating assembly 18, which is operable to draw air
into the main housing 14. From the main housing 14, the ventilating
assembly 18 is operable to discharge the airflow to another
location, such as an attic, outside the structure to which the
apparatus 10 is secured, and/or into a ducting assembly. In the
illustrated embodiment, the air is discharged out of a first outlet
122 in the main housing 14.
[0032] The first grille 34 can also include a second set of
apertures or louvers 42 extending across a second inlet 41 defined
by the main housing 14. The second set of louvers 42 can be located
anywhere on the first grille 34 depending at least in part upon the
airflow path(s) available within the main housing 14 from the
second set of louvers 42 to the heater assembly 26. By way of
example only, the second set of louvers 42 in the illustrated
exemplary embodiment is located at an end of the first grille 34
and main housing 14 opposite the first set of louvers 38. In some
embodiments, the second set of louvers 42 is located in a part of
the first grille 34 covering the heater assembly 26. The second set
of louvers 42 can guide inlet air to the heater assembly 26, which
is operable to generate heated airflow in a room, area, and/or
space.
[0033] In some embodiments, the first grille 34 can have a single
set of louvers supplying air to the ventilating assembly 18 and to
the heater assembly 26, can have two or more sets of louvers
supplying air to both assemblies 18, 26, or can have one or more
dedicated sets of louvers for each assembly 18, 26.
[0034] In some embodiments, the first grille 34 has a second outlet
46 for discharging heated air from the apparatus 10. The second
outlet 46 can be located anywhere on the first grille 34, depending
at least partially upon the location of the heater assembly 26 and
the outlet thereof. By way of example only, the second outlet 46 in
the illustrated embodiment is adjacent to the second set of louvers
42. When connected to the main housing 14, the second outlet 46 in
the first grille 34 can correspond with and be in fluid
communication with the heating assembly 26 to receive discharged
and heated airflow therethrough.
[0035] Some embodiments of the present invention include a second
grille 50 extending at least partially across the second outlet 46.
The second grille 50 can be moveable with respect to the first
grille 34. The second grille 50 can include louvers 51, as shown in
the figures. The louvers 51 are operable to both conceal an
interior portion of the housing 14 and to direct air out of the
second outlet 46. In some embodiments, the louvers 51 can be angled
between about zero degrees and about forty-five degrees from
vertical when the apparatus 10 is mounted on a horizontal ceiling.
In yet other embodiments, the louvers 51 can be angled between
about ten degrees and about thirty degrees from vertical when the
apparatus 10 is mounted on a horizontal ceiling. While reference is
made herein to orientations in which the apparatus 10 is mounted on
or in a ceiling, it should be understood that the apparatus can
also or alternatively be mounted on a wall or in other locations
within a structure.
[0036] In some embodiments, the second grille 50 includes one or
more actuators to move the second grille 50 with respect to the
first grille 34. In the illustrated embodiment, an actuator 55
having a generally rectangular aperture is positioned in a central
portion of the second grille 50 (see FIGS. 2, 7, 12 and 13). In the
illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 1-14, the actuator 55 is operable
to receive a tool, such as a standard (flathead) screwdriver. The
actuator 55 can enable an operator to pivot the second grille 50
about a pivot axis 52, with respect to the first grille 34, thereby
changing the direction of air flow out through the louvers 51. For
example, if an operator desires air to be directed in a specific
direction, the operator can insert a standard screwdriver into the
aperture in the actuator 55 and rotate the second grille 50, to
direct the air as desired.
[0037] In some embodiments, the pivot axis 52 is substantially
perpendicular to the second grille 50 and the first grille 34. In
other embodiments, the pivot axis 52 can be non-perpendicular to
one or both of the first and second grilles 34, 50. In some such
embodiments, the outer surface of the second grille 50 can be
oriented at a non-parallel angle with respect to the outer surface
of the first grille 34. In other embodiments, the second grille 50
can be supported on the first grille 34 for pivoting movement about
the pivot axis 52 and/or about an axis extending through the first
grille 34 in a direction substantially parallel to an outer surface
of the first grille 34.
[0038] In some embodiments, the operator can pivot the second
grille 50 during operation of one or more of the ventilation
assembly 18, the lighting assembly 22, and the heating assembly 26.
In some such embodiments, an operator can use a screwdriver or
other similar tool to pivot the second grille 50 when the heating
assembly 26 is operating so that the operator is not required to
touch the second grille 50 and/or so that the operator does not
need a stool or ladder to reach the actuator 55.
[0039] In the illustrated embodiment, the actuator 55 is recessed
below the outer surface of the first grille 34. Further, in the
illustrated embodiment, the outer surface of the second grille 50
is recessed below the outer surface of the first grille 34. In some
embodiments, the second grille 50 is formed form a metallic
material, such as aluminum. In other embodiments, the second grille
50 is formed from a molded material, such as plastic.
[0040] As shown in FIG. 12, the apparatus 10 can include a locking
arrangement 56 operable to maintain the second grille 50 in any of
a number of different pivoted positions with respect to the first
grille 34 and with respect to the housing 14. The locking
arrangement 56 can include a flange 57 extending circumferentially
around and outwardly from the outer perimeter of the second grille
50. The flange 57 can be positioned adjacent to the first grille 34
at the second outlet 46. The second grille 50 is illustrated as
being recessed below the outer surface of the first grille 34. The
locking arrangement 56 can also include an elastic member, such as
the illustrated wave washer 59 or a spring washer 59, which can be
positioned proximate the first grille 34 and between the first
grille 34 and the flange 57. The elastic member can be formed from
a rigid or elastic material. The spring washer 59 can include one
or more biasing elements 60 that protrude therefrom and bias the
second grille 50 into frictional engagement with the first grille
34. In some embodiments, the locking arrangement 56 locks the
second grille 50 in place by friction alone.
[0041] The locking arrangement can further include a locking washer
61 adjacent to the spring washer 59 and in abutment therewith. A
number of fasteners 62, such as the illustrated screws, can extend
through both the locking washer 61 and the spring washer 59 and
into the first grille 34. The fasteners 62 are operable to inhibit
relative movement between the first grille 34, the spring washer
59, and the locking washer 61. Therefore, in some such embodiments,
only the second grille 50 is permitted to pivot relative to the
first grille 34. In other embodiments, the spring washer 59 and/or
the locking washer 61 can pivot with the second grille 50.
[0042] In some embodiments, such as the illustrated embodiment, the
locking washer 61 can include an outwardly-extending first stop
element 63a and the second grille 50 can include a second
outwardly-extending stop element, which is selectively engageable
with the first stop element to limit the pivoting movement of the
second grille 50 with respect to the first grille 34. In some such
embodiments, first and second stop elements prevent the second
grille 50 from pivoting more than about 270 degrees with respect to
the first grille 34. In other embodiments, the first and second
stop elements can prevent the second grille 50 from pivoting more
than 45 degrees with respect to the first grille, or alternatively,
in other embodiments, the first and second stop elements can
prevent the second grille 50 from pivoting more than 360 degrees.
In yet other embodiments, such as the illustrated embodiment of
FIGS. 1-13, the first and second stop elements are not included to
thereby allow unlimited pivoting movement of the second grille 50
relative to the first grille 34.
[0043] As described above, some embodiments of the apparatus 10
include a lighting assembly 22. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 10, the
lighting assembly 22 can be connected to the main housing 14 and
can project light outwardly through an opening defined in the first
grille 34. In the illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 1-14, the first
grille 34 supports a lens 64 for diffusing light emitted by the
lighting assembly 22. In some embodiments of the apparatus 10, the
lens 64 can be releasably connected to the first grille 34 by any
of a number fasteners (e.g., snap-fitting, fastening, and so
forth). Alternatively, the lens 64 can be integrally formed with
the first grille 34, such as in cases where the first grille 34 is
formed from a plastic material.
[0044] The lighting assembly 22 can include one or more lamps or
other illumination devices 66, which can be of any type suitable to
illuminate a room, area, or space. By way of example only, the
illumination device(s) 66 can include incandescent, fluorescent,
halogen, and other lights (whether in the form of flood lights,
globe lights, light-emitting diodes, or otherwise) without
departing from the present invention.
[0045] Some embodiments of the apparatus 10 can utilize a lighting
assembly 22 having more than one illumination device 66. In such
embodiments, one of the illumination devices 66 can be configured
to emit a bright light, while another illumination device 66 can be
configured to emit a dull light. Such a dull light can be utilized
as a "night light", if desired. In embodiments utilizing two or
more illumination devices 66, the illumination devices 66 can be
configured to operate separately from one another or in groups.
Also, one or more illumination devices 66 can be configured in any
conventional manner to have one or more dimmed settings or to be
controllable in a range of brightnesses.
[0046] Some embodiments of the lighting assembly 22 include an
illumination housing 70. The illumination housing 70 can include a
heat resistant material, heat shielding, and/or a reflective
surface to inhibit heat from contacting various components of the
apparatus 10. In the illustrated embodiment, the illumination
housing 70 includes a reflective material to direct light outwardly
through the lens 64.
[0047] In the exemplary apparatus 10 of FIGS. 1-14, the ventilating
assembly 18 includes a centrifugal fan or fan wheel 78 connected to
a motor plate 82 or other structure within the housing 14. It
should be noted that any other type of fan 78 other than a
centrifugal fan 78 can be employed as desired (e.g., propeller-type
fans, and the like).
[0048] In some embodiments, the apparatus 10 includes a motor 86
connected to the motor plate 82 by a bracket 90. The motor 86 can
include a motor shaft, which extends through the bracket 90 and/or
the motor plate 82 to drive the fan wheel 78 to produce ventilating
airflow. As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, in some embodiments, the
ventilating assembly 18 is removably connected within the main
housing 14 as a single integral unit.
[0049] When the ventilating assembly 18 is in an installed position
within the apparatus 10, the fan wheel 78 can be supported adjacent
to an arcuate, upstanding wall 106 in the main housing 14, as shown
in FIG. 11. Together with a bottom wall of the main housing 14 and
the motor plate 82, the upstanding wall 106 can form a scroll
housing for generating airflow therein. The fan wheel 78 can be
positioned relative to the upstanding wall 106 to form a scroll
inlet to receive inlet air through the louvers 38, and a scroll
outlet to discharge pressurized outlet air out of outlet aperture
122.
[0050] As discussed above, some embodiments of the present
invention employ a heating assembly 26 to heat air that is blown
into a room, area, or space. With reference to the illustrated
embodiment of FIGS. 1-14 for example, the apparatus 10 includes a
heating assembly 26 having a second centrifugal fan or fan wheel
130 positioned within a fan housing 134. The fan housing 134 can
have any shape desired, and in some embodiments has a scroll
shape.
[0051] The heating assembly 26 can also include a motor 138
drivably connected to the fan wheel 130 to produce airflow into the
heating assembly 26. The motor 138 can be mounted in the apparatus
10 in any manner, such as by a motor bracket 142 attached to or
defining a wall at least partially enclosing the fan wheel 130
(see, for example, FIG. 8) or motor bracket 142 mounted to a wall
or other structure of the housing 14. If employed, the motor
bracket 142 can be mounted in any suitable manner, including those
described above with regard to the motor bracket 90 of the
ventilating fan wheel 78. Alternatively, the motor 138 can be
directly mounted to a wall at least partially enclosing the fan
wheel 130 or to a wall or other structure of the housing 14 in any
suitable manner.
[0052] Any other type of fan 130 other than a centrifugal fan 130
can be employed for the heating assembly 26 as desired (e.g.,
propeller-type fans and the like). As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the
heating assembly 26 can be removably connected to the main housing
14 as a single integral unit (discussed in greater detail
below).
[0053] As is known and understood in the art, rotation of the fan
wheel 130, upon driving by the motor 138, draws the inlet air
through louvers 42 into the center of the fan wheel 130 and
pressurizes the air as it moves toward a discharge aperture 150
(see FIG. 11). The discharge aperture 150 can have any shape
desired, such as a round shape, an oval shape, a rectangular or
other polygonal shape, an irregular shape, and the like. In the
illustrated exemplary embodiment, the discharge aperture 150 is
substantially rectangular in shape.
[0054] In some embodiments, a transition outlet fitting 156 can be
included adjacent to the discharge aperture 150 to direct the air
through a different cross-sectional shape or area. In the
illustrated embodiment, the transition outlet fitting 156 has a
substantially rectangular cross section 160 at the discharge
aperture 150 and tapers down to a substantially circular cross
section 165 as it directs air through the second grille 50, see
FIGS. 8, 11 and 14. The transition outlet fitting 156 can include
one or more tabs 170 that can be connected to the housing 14. For
example, two tabs 170 are illustrated in the embodiment of FIGS. 8
and 12.
[0055] With reference to FIG. 11, a heating element 210 is shown
positioned adjacent to the discharge aperture 150 of the fan
housing 134 to heat the airflow generated by the heating assembly
26. The heating element 210 includes a conventional electric
resistance-type heater 210. However, any other type of heater can
instead be used. The heating element 210 is connected to the fan
housing 134, such as by inserting the heating element 210 into a
heater aperture 220 in the fan housing 134 or is connected in any
other conventional manner to the fan housing 134. In some
embodiments of the apparatus 10, the heating element 210 is
permanently secured in the fan housing 134. In other embodiments,
the heating element 210 can be removably connected to the fan
housing 134. As a result, a malfunctioning or non-functioning
heating element 210 can be removed and serviced or replaced with a
properly functioning heating element 210. Conventional fasteners
(e.g., screws, rotatable tabs, and the like) and conventional
fastening methods (e.g., snap-fit connections, inter-engaging
element connections, and the like) can be used to enable the
removal and replacement of the heating element 210.
[0056] As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 of the illustrated exemplary
embodiment, the main housing 14 can be generally divided into a
first compartment 234 and a second compartment 238 by a first
dividing wall 242. The first dividing wall 242 can be located in
any position in the main housing 14 to provide this result, thereby
defining compartments 234, 238 of any relative size desired. Like
the main housing 14, the first dividing wall 242 can be made from
sheet metal, or can instead be made of any other rigid or
substantially rigid material desired.
[0057] In some embodiments, the ventilating assembly 18 and/or the
heating assembly 26 can be removably connected with the main
housing 14 as one-piece unitary assemblies. For example, FIG. 8
shows that the ventilating assembly 18 is capable of being removed
from the main housing 14. To permit such one-piece removal of the
ventilating assembly 18, one or more fasteners can be released to
permit the motor plate 82 to be pivoted or lifted from a secured
position in the main housing 14.
[0058] FIG. 11 illustrates that the heating assembly 26 is capable
of being removed from the main housing 14 as a single integral
modular unit. To permit removal of the heating assembly 26 in this
manner, one or more fasteners securing one or more parts of the fan
housing 134 to the main housing 14 can be released to permit the
fan housing 134 to be pivoted or lifted from a secured position in
the main housing 14. To remove the heating assembly 26 from the
main housing 14 in the illustrated embodiment (by way of example
only), the fasteners connecting the fan housing 134 with the side
wall of the main housing 14 can be removed, and the fan housing 134
can be pivoted to allow the tabs of the fan housing 134 to
disengage their corresponding slots in the main housing 14. Upon
the tabs disengaging the slots, the heating assembly 26 can be
removed from the main housing 14 as one piece.
[0059] One or more power consuming devices, such as the motor 86,
the motor 138, the heating element 210 and the illumination device
66, can be powered by an internal electrical circuit of a building.
For example, one common line from one side of the housing 14 can
provide an inlet for one or more lines of power to enter the
housing 14 and power one or more of the power consuming
devices.
[0060] In some embodiments, one or more switches, such as wall
switches can be used to turn the power consuming devices of the
ventilating assembly 18, the lighting assembly 22, and the heating
assembly 26 on and off. In some embodiments, three separate
switches can be utilized to control the three separate operations
of the ventilating assembly 18, the lighting assembly 22, and the
heating assembly 26. In some embodiments, the heating assembly 26
can have a timer, such that an operator can, for example, turn a
dial to run the heating assembly 26 for a specific amount of time,
at the end of which the heating assembly 26 would automatically
shut off. In some embodiments, all three of the ventilating
assembly 18, the lighting assembly 22, and the heating assembly 26
can operate simultaneously with the actuation of a single
switch.
[0061] The embodiments described above and illustrated in the
figures are presented by way of example only and are not intended
as a limitation upon the concepts and principles of the present
invention. As such, it will be appreciated by one having ordinary
skill in the art that various changes in the elements and their
configuration and arrangement are possible without departing from
the spirit and scope of the present invention as set forth in the
appended claims.
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