Dirty filter indicator

• US 6,320,513 B1
• Filed: 09/11/2000
• Issued: 11/20/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 09/11/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ronald G. Timmons Jr
• Original Assignee: Ronald G. Timmons Jr
• Inventors: Timmons, Ronald G. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lieu, Julie
• Application Number:
  US09/659,563
• Time in Patent Office: 435 Days
• Field of Search: 340/607, 340/384.1, 340/404.1, 116/67.R, 116/70, 964/19
• US Class Current: 340/607
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 46/0086 Filter condition indicators
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 46/42 Auxiliary equipment or operation thereof
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/30 for purposes related to the operation of the system, e.g. for safety or monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/39 Monitoring filter performance
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/526 giving audible indications

Abstract

A dirty filter indicator device adapted for use with a furnace, an air conditioning assembly and the like. As the filter collects dirt and dust, the overall airflow is restricted causing more air to flow through the whistle device. This increased air flow through the device alerts the occupants to the need to change the air filter. The device has a canopy cover to prevent large dust particles from clogging the device and an adjustable nozzle element which can be adjusted to begin whistling according to the degree of dirtiness of the filter by cutting portions of the distal end of the whistle.

Claims

1. A dirty filter indicator device and an air filter combination comprising:

an air filter for a furnace or an air conditioning unit; and

a one-piece whistle device having a restricted longitudinal cavity with an upper hollow circular flange, a cylindrical tubular body portion, and a truncated cone shaped nozzle portion consisting of a corrugated surface decreasing in radius and adapted to securely remain in the air filter under an airflow, the corrugated nozzle portion can be shortened to adjust the airflow tolerance of the whistle;

whereby the whistle emits a warning sound by the increased airflow through the restricted cavity when the air filter becomes overloaded with dirt and dust.

2. The dirty filter indicator device and an air filter combination according to claim 1, including a roof having three legs and a diameter coextensive with the diameter of the hollow circular flange.

3. The dirty filter indicator device and an air filter combination according to claim 1, wherein the longitudinal cavity extends at least one-half the distance into the hollow flange portion.

4. The dirty filter indicator device and an air filter combination according to claim 1, wherein the device is molded as one piece from recycled plastic.