U.S. patent application number 14/988306 was filed with the patent office on 2016-07-14 for offset louver grille.
The applicant listed for this patent is Michael J. Aleven, Corey Scott Jacak, Kenneth John Jonas, Benjamin Thorpe Puffer. Invention is credited to Michael J. Aleven, Corey Scott Jacak, Kenneth John Jonas, Benjamin Thorpe Puffer.
Application Number | 20160201939 14/988306 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 56329609 |
Filed Date | 2016-07-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160201939 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Jonas; Kenneth John ; et
al. |
July 14, 2016 |
OFFSET LOUVER GRILLE
Abstract
A grille having a frame defining a grille opening and for
receiving a plurality of first louvers and a plurality of second
louvers. The first plane and second plane are separated by a
predetermined offset depth to define a gap between adjacent first
louvers and second louvers along an axis perpendicular to the plane
of the frame. The first louvers can be spaced apart to define a
first gap between adjacent first louvers. A second louver can be
positioned at the second plane to align with the horizontal gap
between adjacent first louvers such that the first and second
louvers cooperate to obscure viewing through the grille at least
along the axis perpendicular to the plane of the frame.
Inventors: |
Jonas; Kenneth John;
(Mequon, WI) ; Jacak; Corey Scott; (West Bend,
WI) ; Puffer; Benjamin Thorpe; (Hartford, WI)
; Aleven; Michael J.; (West Bend, WI) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Jonas; Kenneth John
Jacak; Corey Scott
Puffer; Benjamin Thorpe
Aleven; Michael J. |
Mequon
West Bend
Hartford
West Bend |
WI
WI
WI
WI |
US
US
US
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
56329609 |
Appl. No.: |
14/988306 |
Filed: |
January 5, 2016 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62101846 |
Jan 9, 2015 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
454/309 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F24F 13/082 20130101;
F24F 13/24 20130101 |
International
Class: |
F24F 13/08 20060101
F24F013/08 |
Claims
1. A grille, comprising: a frame defining a grille opening and a
grille plane, wherein the grille opening is positioned within the
grille plane; a plurality of first louvers arranged in a first
plane to extend over a first region of the grille opening, wherein
a first horizontal gap is defined between adjacent first louvers; a
plurality of second louvers arranged in a second plane to extend
over a second region of the grille opening, wherein a second
horizontal gap is defined between adjacent second louvers; wherein
the second louvers are offset horizontally from the first louvers
such that at least one second louver is aligned with each first
horizontal gap along an axis perpendicular to the grille plane.
2. The grille of claim 1, wherein the second louvers each have a
second width corresponding to a width of the corresponding first
horizontal gap.
3. The grille of claim 2, wherein at least two of the second
louvers are sized to have differing second widths.
4. The grille of claim 2, wherein the second louvers are
universally sized to have uniform second widths.
5. The grille of claim 1, wherein the first louvers are each
aligned with at least one second horizontal gap along the axis
perpendicular to the grille plane.
6. The grille of claim 5, wherein the first louvers each have a
first width corresponding to a width of the corresponding second
horizontal gap.
7. The grille of claim 6, wherein at least two of the first louvers
are sized to have differing first widths.
8. The grille of claim 6, wherein the first louvers are universally
sized to have uniform first widths.
9. The grille of claim 1, wherein the first plane is offset from
the second plane to define a vertical gap between the first
plurality of louvers and the second plurality of louvers along the
axis perpendicular to the grille plane.
10. The grille of claim 9, wherein vertical gap permits viewing
through the grille opening along at least one viewing axis
transverse to the axis perpendicular to the grille plane.
11. The grille of claim 9, wherein offsetting the first and second
planes defines a plurality of air flow paths through the grille
opening.
12. A method of obscuring viewing through a grille opening of a
grille, comprising: arranging a plurality of first louvers in a
first plane to extend over a first region of the grille opening,
wherein a first horizontal gap is defined between adjacent first
louvers; arranging a plurality of second louvers in a second plane
to extend over a second region of the grille opening, wherein a
second horizontal gap is defined between adjacent second louvers;
wherein the second louvers are offset horizontally from the first
louvers such that at least one second louver is aligned with each
first horizontal gap along an axis perpendicular to the grille
plane. vertical gap permits viewing through the grille opening
along at least one viewing axis transverse to the axis
perpendicular to the grille plane.
13. The method of claim 12, wherein the second louvers each have a
second width corresponding to a width of the corresponding first
horizontal gap.
14. The method of claim 13, further comprising: sizing at least two
of the second louvers to have differing second widths.
15. The method of claim 12, wherein the first louvers are each
aligned with at least one second horizontal gap along the axis
perpendicular to the grille plane.
16. The method of claim 15, further comprising: sizing at least two
of the first louvers to have differing first widths.
17. The method of claim 12, further comprising: offsetting the
first plane from the second plane to define a vertical gap between
the first plurality of louvers and the second plurality of louvers
along the axis perpendicular to the grille plane.
18. The method of claim 17, wherein vertical gap permits viewing
through the grille opening along at least one viewing axis
transverse to the axis perpendicular to the grille plane.
19. The method of claim 17, wherein offsetting the first and second
planes defines a plurality of air flow paths through the grille
opening.
Description
CLAIM OF PRIORITY
[0001] This patent application claims the benefit of priority,
under 35 U.S.C. Section 119(e), to Kenneth J. Jonas et al., U.S.
Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/101,846, entitled
"OFFSET LOUVER GRILLE," filed on Jan. 9, 2015 (Attorney Docket No.
5978.271PRV), which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in
its entirety.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] This document pertains generally, but not by way of
limitation, to louvered grilles for ventilation systems.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Grilles are often positioned over inlet and outlet openings
for ventilation systems to conceal the openings into residential
space and any components of the ventilation assembly that may be
visible through the opening. Grilles typically include a frame
sized to extend around the opening and plurality of louvers
positioned within the frame. Each louver is typically angled along
a plane parallel to the adjacent louver such that a portion of the
louver overlaps with the adjacent louver. This arrangement creates
a plurality of air pathways allowing air to pass through the grille
and into or out of the opening while obscuring the opening from
many viewing angles.
[0004] However, this arrangement does not entirely obscure the
opening as the opening can be viewed along an axis generally
parallel to the angle of the louvers. An added drawback is that
sound from the ventilation system that can travel along the
generally linear air pathways defined by the louvers allowing the
operation of the ventilation system to be heard within the space.
As the primary function of the ventilation system is to move air
through a space, the louvers are often thinly constructed and
spaced apart as much as possible to maximize the cross-sectional
area of the air pathways to increase the air flow through grille.
Similarly, the length of the louvers is often minimized to reduce
the length of each air pathway to also improve airflow through the
grille. However, increasing the cross-sectional area of the air
pathways and shortening the louvers increases the viewing angles
through the grille that are not obscured by the louvers as well as
increasing the sound transmitted through the grille.
[0005] In addition, certain ventilation systems position
ventilation components, such as the fan and fan motor, immediately
adjacent or in close proximity to the opening. The close proximity
of the ventilation components to the opening can result in those
components being visible through the grille. In particular, moving
components, such as fan blades, can be more easily seen through the
air pathways through the grille creating a particularly undesirable
aesthetic appearance. Moreover, the close proximity of the moving
components and reduced muffling provided by the grille can increase
the perceived noise generated by the ventilation system.
OVERVIEW
[0006] The present inventors have recognized, among other things,
that a problem to be solved can include providing air pathways
through a grille that obscures the opening for ventilation assembly
and muffles sound generated by the ventilation assembly. In an
example, the present subject matter can provide a solution to this
problem such as by providing a grille having a frame defining a
grille opening and for receiving a plurality of first louvers and a
plurality of second louvers. The first louvers can be arranged to
extend across the grille opening in a first plane and the second
louvers can be arranged to extend across the grille opening in a
second plane, wherein the first plane and second plane are
separated by a predetermined offset depth to define a gap between
adjacent first louvers and second louvers along an axis
perpendicular to the plane of the frame. The first louvers can be
spaced apart to define a first gap between adjacent first louvers.
A second louver can be positioned at the second plane to align with
the horizontal gap between adjacent first louvers such that the
first and second louvers cooperate to obscure viewing through the
grille at least along the axis perpendicular to the plane of the
frame. The offset depth between the first and second louvers
increases viewing angles that are obscured by the first and second
louvers.
[0007] The second louvers can be spaced apart to define a second
gap between adjacent second louvers. This arrangement of first and
second louvers defines a plurality of non-linear airflow paths
through the grille opening in which air can flow through the second
gaps defined by the second louvers and gaps between the first and
second louvers created by the offset depth before exiting through
the first gaps defined by the first louvers. The airflow path can
be reversed to travel from the first louvers to the second louvers.
The non-linear airflow path can prevent viewing through the grille
along a viewing angle parallel to the airflow path. In addition,
the non-linear airflow path increases the surfaces off which sound
traveling through the grille must reflect off thereby increasing
the dissipation of the sound as the sound travels through the
grille.
[0008] In at least one example, the first and second louvers can be
sized such that a portion of a first louver overlaps with an
adjacent second louver when viewed along the axis perpendicular to
the frame. The offset depth between the first and second louvers
allows the overlap to be minimized while still obscuring a
sufficient amount of the possible viewing angles through the
grille. The minimal overlap between the first and second louvers
allows for the cross-sectional area of the first and second gaps to
be maximized increasing airflow through the grille.
[0009] This overview is intended to provide an overview of subject
matter of the present patent application. It is not intended to
provide an exclusive or exhaustive explanation of the present
subject matter. The detailed description is included to provide
further information about the present patent application.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] In the drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale,
like numerals may describe similar components in different views.
Like numerals having different letter suffixes may represent
different instances of similar components. The drawings illustrate
generally, by way of example, but not by way of limitation, various
embodiments discussed in the present document.
[0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a grille according to an
example of the present invention.
[0012] FIG. 2 is a front view of the grille depicted in FIG. 1.
[0013] FIG. 3 is a side view of the grille depicted in FIG. 1.
[0014] FIG. 4 is a top view of the grille depicted in FIG. 1.
[0015] FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the grille depicted in FIG.
1.
[0016] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a grille according to an
example of the present invention.
[0017] FIG. 7 is a front view of the grille depicted in FIG. 6.
[0018] FIG. 8 is a side view of the grille depicted in FIG. 6.
[0019] FIG. 9 is a top view of the grille depicted in FIG. 6.
[0020] FIG. 10 is a bottom view of the grille depicted in FIG.
6.
[0021] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional side view of the grille
depicted in FIG. 1.
[0022] FIG. 12 is a partial cross-sectional side view of the grille
depicted in FIG. 11.
[0023] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a grille according to an
example of the present invention.
[0024] FIG. 14 is a front view of the grille depicted in FIG.
13.
[0025] FIG. 15 is a side view of the grille depicted in FIG.
13.
[0026] FIG. 16 is a top view of the grille depicted in FIG. 13.
[0027] FIG. 17 is a bottom view of the grille depicted in FIG.
13.
[0028] FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a grille according to an
example of the present invention.
[0029] FIG. 19 is a front view of the grille depicted in FIG.
18.
[0030] FIG. 20 is a side view of the grille depicted in FIG.
18.
[0031] FIG. 21 is a bottom view of the grille depicted in FIG.
18.
[0032] FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional side view of the grille
depicted in FIG. 13.
[0033] FIG. 23 is a partial cross-sectional side view of the grille
depicted in FIG. 22.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0034] As depicted in FIGS. 1, 6 13 and 23, a grille 30, according
to an example of the present disclose, can include a frame 32, a
plurality of first louvers 34 and at least one second louver 36.
The frame 32 can include an inner surface 38 having a predetermined
width and defining a frame opening. The plurality of first louvers
34 can be mounted to the inner surface 38 of the frame 32 such that
first louvers 34 extend across the frame opening and are spaced
apart from the adjacent first louvers 34. The plurality of second
louvers 36 can similarly be mounted to the inner surface 38 of the
frame 32 such that the second louvers 34 extend across the frame
opening and are spaced apart from the adjacent second louvers 36.
The first louvers 34 are positioned in a first plane A and the
second louvers 36 are positioned in a second plane B parallel to
the first plane A and separated by an offset distance D. The second
louvers 36 are positioned offset from the first louvers 34 such
that each second louver 36 aligns with gap between the
corresponding adjacent first louvers 34 as illustrated in FIGS.
11-12 and 22-23. In this configuration, the first and second
louvers 34, 36 can define a non-linear airflow path in which air
travels through the gap between adjacent second louvers 36 and the
gap between adjacent first louvers 34, which is offset from the gap
between the second louvers 36.
[0035] As depicted in FIGS. 1, 5-6, 9-10, 13, 16-18 and 21, in an
example, the frame 32 can comprise a frame member 40 defining the
inner surface 38 and frame opening. As depicted in FIGS. 1, 6 13
and 23, the frame member 40 is shaped such that the frame opening
is rectangular having a pair of parallel primary edges 42 and a
pair of parallel secondary edges 44 transverse to the primary edges
42. In certain examples, the frame member 40 can be shaped such
that the frame opening is circular, polygonal or other conventional
shape corresponding to a wall or ceiling opening for a ventilation
system. In an example, the frame member 40 can further include a
shroud portion 46 extending radially outward from the frame
opening.
[0036] In an example, the frame member 40 can include at least one
engagement element 48 that can be secured to a wall or ceiling
mount for securing the frame 32 to a wall or ceiling. In this
configuration, the shroud portion 46 can extend over the engagement
element 48 to conceal the engagement element 44 when the frame 32
is mounted to the wall or ceiling. In at least one example, the
engagement elements 48 are positioned along the secondary edges 44
of the frame member 40.
[0037] As depicted in FIGS. 1-21, in an example, the plurality of
first louvers 34 are positioned to extend between the primary edges
42 of the frame member 40 such that the first louvers 34 are
parallel to the secondary edges 44. The first louvers 34 are
positioned on the frame member 40 within the second plane A. The
first louvers 34 are spaced apart to define a plurality of first
gaps between adjacent first louvers 34. As depicted in FIGS. 11-12
and 22-23, the first louvers 34 are angled such that each first
louver 34 is generally parallel to a plane defined by the frame 32.
The first louvers 34 can be angled such that each first louver 34
is angled along a plane parallel to the adjacent first louver 34
and transverse to the plane defined by the frame 32. In at least
one example, at least one support strut 50 can be extended between
secondary faces 44 to extend between the first louvers 34 to
structurally reinforce the primary louvers 34.
[0038] As depicted in FIGS. 1-21, in an example, the plurality of
second louvers 36 are positioned to extend between the primary
edges 42 of the frame member 40 such that the second louvers 36 are
parallel to the secondary edges 44. The second louvers 36 are
positioned on the frame member 40 within the second plane B. The
second louvers 36 are spaced apart to define a plurality of second
gaps between adjacent second louvers 36. As depicted in FIGS. 11-12
and 22-23, the second louvers 36 are angled such that each second
louver 36 is generally parallel to a plane defined by frame 32. The
second louvers 36 can be angled such that each second louver 36 is
angled along a plane parallel to the adjacent second louver 36 and
transverse to the plane defined by the frame 32. As depicted in the
grille 30 includes two pluralities of louvers, but can comprise
additional pluralities of louvers.
[0039] As depicted in FIGS. 11-12 and 22-23, in an example, the
first plane A is separated from the second plane B by the offset
distance D. In at least one example, the first plane A is adjacent
the outer side of the frame 32 and the second plane B is positioned
adjacent an inner side of the frame 32 such that the second plane B
is proximate the ventilation system opening when the frame 32 is
mounted to the wall.
[0040] In an example, the second louvers 36 can be offset from the
first louvers 34 such that each second louver 36 is positioned to
align with a first gap between two adjacent first louvers 34. In at
least one example, the first louvers 34 and the second louvers 36
can be sized such that a portion of corresponding first and second
louvers 34, 36 overlap along an axis perpendicular to the plane of
the frame 32. In this configuration, at least one airflow path is
defined between a second gap between adjacent second louvers 36 and
a first gap between adjacent first louvers 34 that is offset from
the corresponding second gap along the axis perpendicular to the
plane.
[0041] Each of these non-limiting examples can stand on its own, or
can be combined in any permutation or combination with any one or
more of the other examples.
[0042] The above detailed description includes references to the
accompanying drawings, which form a part of the detailed
description. The drawings show, by way of illustration, specific
embodiments in which the present subject matter can be practiced.
These embodiments are also referred to herein as "examples." Such
examples can include elements in addition to those shown or
described. However, the present inventors also contemplate examples
in which only those elements shown or described are provided.
Moreover, the present inventors also contemplate examples using any
combination or permutation of those elements shown or described (or
one or more aspects thereof), either with respect to a particular
example (or one or more aspects thereof), or with respect to other
examples (or one or more aspects thereof) shown or described
herein.
[0043] In the event of inconsistent usages between this document
and any documents so incorporated by reference, the usage in this
document controls.
[0044] In this document, the terms "a" or "an" are used, as is
common in patent documents, to include one or more than one,
independent of any other instances or usages of "at least one" or
"one or more." In this document, the term "or" is used to refer to
a nonexclusive or, such that "A or B" includes "A but not B," "B
but not A," and "A and B," unless otherwise indicated. In this
document, the terms "including" and "in which" are used as the
plain-English equivalents of the respective terms "comprising" and
"wherein." Also, in the following claims, the terms "including" and
"comprising" are open-ended, that is, a system, device, article,
composition, formulation, or process that includes elements in
addition to those listed after such a term in a claim are still
deemed to fall within the scope of that claim. Moreover, in the
following claims, the terms "first," "second," and "third," etc.
are used merely as labels, and are not intended to impose numerical
requirements on their objects.
[0045] The above description is intended to be illustrative, and
not restrictive. For example, the above-described examples (or one
or more aspects thereof) may be used in combination with each
other. Other embodiments can be used, such as by one of ordinary
skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. The Abstract
is provided to comply with 37 C.F.R. .sctn.1.72(b), to allow the
reader to quickly ascertain the nature of the technical disclosure.
It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to
interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. Also, in the
above Detailed Description, various features may be grouped
together to streamline the disclosure. This should not be
interpreted as intending that an unclaimed disclosed feature is
essential to any claim. Rather, inventive subject matter may lie in
less than all features of a particular disclosed embodiment. Thus,
the following claims are hereby incorporated into the Detailed
Description as examples or embodiments, with each claim standing on
its own as a separate embodiment, and it is contemplated that such
embodiments can be combined with each other in various combinations
or permutations. The scope of the present subject matter should be
determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the
full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.
* * * * *