FOLDABLE, BOOT LOADABLE, INSERTABLE AIR DAMPER DEVICE

• US 20150159908A1
• Filed: 02/10/2015
• Published: 06/11/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 10/27/2010
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Arzel Zoning Technology, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Arzel Zoning Technology, Inc.
• Inventors: Votaw, Mark, Laughlin, Dennis, Zelczer, Al, Zelczer, Howard, Roth, Lenny, Sipershteyn, Vladimir, Ramunni, Joseph, Molica, Bill
• Application Number:
  US14/618,249
• Publication Number:
  US 20150159908A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 13/02 Ducting arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 13/10 movable, e.g. dampers
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 13/1413 using more than one tilting member, e.g. with several pivoting blades F24F13/15 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 13/1426 characterised by actuating means
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2013/1466 with pneumatic means
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2221/36 Modules, e.g. for an easy mounting or transport
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49863 with prestressing of part

Abstract

A foldably tensioned boot loadable air damper device for controlling the flow of air through ductwork, and a method of installing same. The damper device includes an actuator having a retractable member and a pivoting member, wherein the pivoting member is operatively connected to the retractable member of the actuator. The damper device also includes at least one support base supporting the actuator and the pivoting member with respect to each other, a foldable damper blade attached to the pivoting member, and at least one tensioned hinge member operatively connected to the foldable damper blade for unfolding the damper blade. The damper device may be inserted through a register boot and into a ductwork when folded.

Claims

1. A boot loadable air damper device for controlling the flow of air through ductwork, the damper device comprising:

an actuator having a retractable member;

a pivoting member, wherein said pivoting member is operatively connected to said retractable member of said actuator;

at least one support base supporting said actuator and said pivoting member with respect to each other;

a foldable damper blade attached to said pivoting member; and

at least one tensioned hinge member operatively connected to said foldable damper blade.

2. The boot loadable air damper device as defined in claim 1, wherein said actuator is an air pressure actuator.

3. The boot loadable air damper device as defined in claim 1, wherein said actuator is an electro-mechanical actuator.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein said electro-mechanical actuator further comprises a portable power supply.

5. The boot loadable air damper device as defined in claim 1, wherein said pivoting member further comprises at least two pins.

6. The boot loadable air damper device as defined in claim 5, wherein said at least two pins are nylon pins.

7. The boot loadable air damper device as defined in claim 1, wherein said foldable damper blade comprises at least three portions.

8. The boot loadable air damper device as defined in claim 7, wherein said at least three portions is a first portion, a middle portion, and a second portion.

9. The boot loadable air damper device as defined in claim 1, wherein said foldable damper blade further comprises a sealing member.

10. The boot loadable air damper device as defined in claim 9, wherein said sealing member is made of a flexible material.

11. The boot loadable air damper device as defined in claim 1, wherein said at least one tensioned hinge member includes a spring.

12. The boot loadable air damper device as defined in claim 1, wherein said damper device further comprises a foldable sheet member, wherein said foldable sheet member is attached to said at least one support base.

13. The boot loadable air damper device as defined in claim 12, wherein said foldable sheet member is a magnetic foldable sheet member.

14. The boot loadable air damper device as defined in claim 1, wherein said damper device further comprises a stop member.

15. A method of inserting a boot loadable air damper device into a ductwork, the steps comprising:

providing said damper device having an actuator having a retractable member, a pivoting member, wherein said pivoting member is operatively connected to said retractable member of said actuator, at least one support base supporting said actuator and said pivoting member with respect to each other, and a foldably tensioned damper blade attached to said pivoting member;

folding said foldably tensioned damper blade of said damper device;

inserting said damper device through a register boot into said ductwork; and

releasing said foldably tensioned damper blade of said damper device.

16. The method of claim 15 further comprising securing said damper device beyond said register boot within said ductwork.

17. The method of claim 15 further comprising folding a foldable sheet member of said damper device before inserting said damper device through a register boot of said ductwork, wherein said foldable sheet member is attached to said at least one support base.

18. The method of claim 17 further comprising securing said damper device within said ductwork using said foldable sheet member.

19. The method of claim 15 further comprising operatively connecting an air hose to said actuator before inserting said damper device into through a register boot of said ductwork.

20. The method of claim 15 further comprising operatively connecting an external power source to said actuator before inserting said damper device through said register boot of said ductwork.

21. A boot loadable air damper device for controlling the flow of air through ductwork, the damper device comprising:

a foldable damper blade;

means for pivotally actuating said foldable damper blade; and

means for folding and unfolding said damper blade.

22. The boot loadable air damper device as defined in claim 21, wherein said means for pivotally actuating is pneumatic.

23. The boot loadable air damper device as defined in claim 21, wherein said means for pivotally actuating is electro-mechanical.

24. The boot loadable air damper device as defined in claim 23, wherein said electro-mechanical means for pivotally actuating includes a portable power supply.

25. The boot loadable air damper device as defined in claim 21, wherein said foldable damper blade comprises at least three portions.

26. The boot loadable air damper device as defined in claim 25, wherein said at least three portions includes a first portion, a middle portion, and a second portion.

27. The boot loadable air damper device as defined in claim 21, wherein said foldable damper blade further comprises a sealing member.

28. The boot loadable air damper device as defined in claim 27, wherein said sealing member is made of a flexible material.

29. The boot loadable air damper device as defined in claim 21, wherein said means for folding and unfolding said damper blade includes at least one tensioned hinge member.

30. The boot loadable air damper device as defined in claim 29, wherein said at least one tensioned hinge member further comprises a spring.

31. The boot loadable air damper device as defined in claim 21, wherein said damper device further comprises a foldable means for securing said damper device to an interior of said ductwork.

32. The boot loadable air damper device as defined in claim 31, wherein said foldable means for securing is magnetic.

33. The boot loadable air damper device as defined in claim 21, wherein said damper device further comprises a means for stopping an unfolding of said foldable damper blade.

34. The boot loadable air damper device as defined in claim 21 further comprising means for supporting said foldable damper blade and said means for pivotally actuating with respect to each other.