Holding frame assembly and flexible retainers for same

• US 9,114,341 B2
• Filed: 11/30/2012
• Issued: 08/25/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 05/01/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Camfil USA, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Camfil USA, Inc.
• Inventors: Gorman, Joseph J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Clemente, Robert
• Assistant Examiner(s): Hawkins, Karla
• Application Number:
  US13/690,858
• Publication Number:
  US 20130291504A1
• Time in Patent Office: 998 Days
• Field of Search: 55494-495, 55500-502, 555/09, 555/11, 553/16, 553/57, 553/87, 554/67, 554/86, 55D/IG.31, 96/57, 96/98, 96137-138, 160/371
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 46/0002 Casings; Housings; Frame constructions
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 46/0005 Mounting of filtering elements within casings, housings or frames B01D46/2422 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 46/10 Particle separators, e.g. dust precipitators, using filter plates, sheets or pads having plane surfaces

Abstract

A flexible filter retainer and a holding frame assembly having a flexible retainer are provided. In one embodiment, the flexible filter retainer for the holding frame comprises a flat body extending from a first end to a second end. The body comprises a bowed shaped retaining portion disposed at the first end and comprises a first strip and a top face. The body also comprises a fixed portion disposed at the second end and comprises a second strip. The first and second strips are linearly aligned and laterally offset from the top face. In another embodiment, a filter holding frame assembly comprises a holding frame and flexible filter retainers coupled to the holding frame. Each retainer comprises a flat body extending from a first end to a second end. The body comprises a retaining portion disposed at the first end and a fixed portion disposed at the second end.

Claims

1. A flexible filter for a holding frame, comprising:

a flat body extending from a first end to a second end, wherein the body comprises;

a bowed shaped retaining portion disposed at the first end and comprising a first strip, a front face and a top face, wherein the first end is configured to slideably engage a retaining feature of the holding frame, and

a fixed portion disposed at the second end and comprising a second strip, wherein the first and second strips are linearly aligned and laterally offset from the top face and wherein the front face is at a distance furthest from the second end and configured to engage a filter.

2. The flexible filter retainer of claim 1, wherein the first strip and the second strip are coplanar.

3. The flexible filter retainer of claim 1, wherein the first strip and the second strip are substantially planar.

4. The flexible filter retainer of claim 1, wherein the first strip is connected to a front face that defines the portion of the body farthest from second end.

5. The flexible filter retainer of claim 4, wherein the front face is a substantially convex curve.

6. The flexible filter retainer of claim 4, wherein the retaining portion comprises a front sloped region extending from the front face away from a plane of the first strip.

7. The flexible filter retainer of claim 6, wherein the top face is connected to the front face, the top face defining a portion of the body spaced laterally the farthest from the plane of the first strip.

8. The flexible filter retainer of claim 7, wherein the retaining portion further comprises a back curved face extending from the top face and connected to a back sloped face at an inflection point.

9. The flexible filter retainer of claim 8, wherein the back sloped face is connected to the second strip.

10. The flexible filter retainer of claim 8, wherein the back curved face is a substantially concave curve.

11. The flexible filter retainer of claim 1, wherein the body comprises a flat spring.

12. The flexible filter retainer of claim 1, wherein the body comprises spring steel.

13. The flexible filter retainer of claim 1, wherein the second strip comprises a mounting feature configured to be removably attachable to a holding frame.

14. The flexible filter retainer of claim 13, wherein the mounting feature is a tab.

15. The flexible filter retainer of claim 1, wherein the first and second ends are pointing in the same direction.

16. A filter holding frame assembly, comprising:

a holding frame comprising;

a plurality of was coupled to form a quadrilateral ring, the walls having retaining features; and

a flange extending inward from a back edge of each wall; and

flexible filter retainers coupled to the holding frame, wherein each retainer comprises a flat body extending from a first end to a second end, and wherein the body comprises;

a retaining portion disposed at the first end and fixedly coupled to the holding frame, and

a fixed portion disposed at the second end and slideaby coupled to the holding frame by the retaining feature.

17. The filter holding frame assembly of claim 16, wherein the fixed portion is removably coupled to the holding frame by a mounting feature.

18. The filter holding frame assembly of claim 16, wherein the retaining portion and the fixed portion comprise linearly aligned, coplanar strips.

19. The filter holding frame assembly of claim 16, wherein the body of the flexible filter retainer comprises a flat spring.

20. The filter holding frame assembly of claim 16, wherein the retaining portion comprises:

a first convex face defining a portion of the body farthest from the fixed portion; and

a second convex face defining a portion of the body farthest away from a plane defined by the first and second ends.