Register grille and connector frame with releasable connection
First Claim
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1. In combination, a grille and a connector frame for mounting the grille at a duct outlet in a wall;
- the combination having at least one lock element that is cantilevered from one of the connector frame and the grille and releasably engages the other of the connector frame and grille in a snap fit connection to hold the grille to the connector frame;
the lock element having a locked position wherein the grille is held to the connector frame and an unlocked position wherein the grille is removable from the connector frame;
the lock element pivoting between the locked and unlocked positions;
the lock element having a lock surface and the connector frame having a lock surface;
the lock surface of the lock element engaging the lock surface of the connector frame when the lock element is in the locked position;
the connector frame including a retaining wall moveable between first and second positions;
a portion of the lock element being disposed between the retaining wall and the lock surface of the connector frame when the lock element is in the locked position; and
the retaining wall being movable to its second position by a portion of the lock element when the lock element is moved from the locked position to the unlocked position.
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Abstract
The invention provides the combination of a grille and a connector frame for a duct outlet in a HVAC system. At least one lock element extends from one of the connector frame and the grille and releaseably engages the other of the connector frame and grille in a releasable connection to hold the grille to the connector frame. The lock element may be manipulated from the exterior of the grille to release the grille from the connector frame without the use of tools.
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Citations
14 Claims
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1. In combination, a grille and a connector frame for mounting the grille at a duct outlet in a wall;
- the combination having at least one lock element that is cantilevered from one of the connector frame and the grille and releasably engages the other of the connector frame and grille in a snap fit connection to hold the grille to the connector frame;
the lock element having a locked position wherein the grille is held to the connector frame and an unlocked position wherein the grille is removable from the connector frame;the lock element pivoting between the locked and unlocked positions; the lock element having a lock surface and the connector frame having a lock surface;
the lock surface of the lock element engaging the lock surface of the connector frame when the lock element is in the locked position;the connector frame including a retaining wall moveable between first and second positions;
a portion of the lock element being disposed between the retaining wall and the lock surface of the connector frame when the lock element is in the locked position; andthe retaining wall being movable to its second position by a portion of the lock element when the lock element is moved from the locked position to the unlocked position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
- the combination having at least one lock element that is cantilevered from one of the connector frame and the grille and releasably engages the other of the connector frame and grille in a snap fit connection to hold the grille to the connector frame;
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13. A grille for covering a duct outlet in a surface;
- the grille comprising;
a body having a front wall that defines a plurality of louvers and a plurality of openings that allow air from the duct outlet to flow through the body; the body having a front and rear;
the rear adapted to face the surface where the grille is disposed;a lock element connected to the body;
the lock element movable between locked and unlocked positions;
the locked position of the lock element adapted to hold the grille in position over the outlet;the lock element including a lock finger and a lock foot connected together at a joint;
the joint pivotably connecting the lock element to the body;the lock finger projecting away from the body of the grille toward the duct outlet; the lock foot of the lock element being disposed parallel to the front wall of the grille when the lock element is in the unlocked position; the lock foot and lock finger pivoting together about the joint between the locked and unlocked positions;
the unlocked position allowing the grille to be removed from the surface; andthe lock foot being accessible from the front of the body such that a user may move the lock foot to cause the lock finger to move to its unlocked position. - View Dependent Claims (14)
- the grille comprising;
Specification