Foldable, boot loadable, insertable air damper device

A method for inserting an air damper into a ductwork, the air damper comprising:

• an actuator;
• a pivoting member operatively connected to 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, the foldable damper blade comprising:
• a central blade, a first side blade, and a second side blade;
• a first hinge mounted to the central blade and the first side blade, wherein the first hinge comprises a first spring;
• and
• a second hinge mounted to the central blade and the second side blade, wherein the second hinge comprises a second spring;
• and
• at least one stop mounted to the central blade and extending across at least a portion of the first and second side blades;
• wherein the method comprises:
• manually folding the first side blade and the second side blade relative to the central blade;
• inserting the air damper device through a register boot into the ductwork;
• and
• releasing the first and second side blades;
• biasing the first side blade relative to the central blade with the first spring;
• biasing the second side blade relative to the central blade with the second spring;
• and
• stopping rotation of the first and second side blades relative to the central blade with the at least one stop.

An air damper, comprising:

• an actuator;
• a pivot operatively coupled to the actuator;
• a base supporting the actuator and the pivot, wherein the actuator is operable to rotate the pivot relative to the base;
• a damper blade mounted to the pivot, wherein the damper blade comprises:
• a central blade, a first side blade, and a second side blade;
• a first hinge mounted to the central blade and the first side blade, wherein the first hinge comprises a first spring to bias the first side blade relative to the central blade;
• and
• a second hinge mounted to the central blade and the second side blade, wherein the second hinge comprises a second spring to bias the second side blade relative to the central blade;
• and
• a stop mounted to the central blade and extending across at least a portion of the first and second side blades, wherein the first and second blades are biasable into contact with the at least one stop to limit rotation of the first and second blades relative to the actuator.