Modular air outlet assembly and method of making same
AssigneeManchester Plastics, Inc.
InventorsAndy Kwan-Leung Sun, Michael Stephen Mikowski
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An outlet assembly (10) is assembled from different shaped end modules (14,16,18) and any number of standard intermediate modules (20). Depending on the desired shape and length of the assembly (10), two of the end modules (14,16,18) are selected with any number of the intermediate modules (20) assembled therewith forming a housing (22). The housing (22) may form the barrel housing pivotable within a support (68). Louvers (76) and vanes may be connected therewith.
Claims27
A method of forming an outlet assembly comprising:
- providing a first end module having arms extending therefrom establishing a first open side;
- providing a second end module having arms extending therefrom establishing a second open side;
- providing a third end module having arms extending therefrom establishing a third open side, the third end module having a partial perimeter shape different from said second end module;
- selectively assembling the first member to the second member to provide a first outlet housing of a first perimeter shape and assembling the first member to the third member to provide a second outlet housing of a second perimeter shape different from said first perimeter shape.
A modular outlet assembly having sides extending between first and second ends, said assembly comprising:
- a first end module forming the first end and having arms extending therefrom establishing a portion of the sides and forming a first open side;
- a second end module forming the second end and having arms extending therefrom establishing a portion of the sides and forming a second open side;
- interconnecting members connected in said arms of each of said first and second end modules along said open sides for interconnecting said first and second ends forming a first outlet housing;
- and
- a third end module having arms extending therefrom and forming a third open end with interconnecting members connected to said arms and of a contour different from said second end module, said third end module selectively replaceable with said second module forming a outlet housing of different shape from said first outlet housing.
A modular outlet assembly having sides extending between first and second ends, said assembly comprising;
- a first end module forming the first end and having arms extending therefrom establishing a portion of the sides and forming a first open side;
- a second end module forming the second end and having arms extending therefrom establishing a portion of the sides and forming a second open side;
- any number of intermediate modules each having arms extending from two open ends thereof forming a portion of the sides;
- and interconnecting members connected to each of said arms for connecting said intermediate module to each of said first end and said second end module to form an extended outlet assembly.
A modular outlet assembly having sides extending between first and second ends, said assembly comprising:
- a housing support;
- a barrel housing pivotally connected to said housing support, said barrel housing including:
- a first end module forming the first end and having arms extending therefrom establishing a portion of the sides and forming a first open side;
- a second end module forming the second end and having arms extending therefrom establishing a portion of the sides and forming a second open side;
- and
- any number of intermediate modules each having arms extending from two open ends thereof forming a portion of the sides.
A method of forming an outlet assembly comprising:
- providing a first end module mold having a cavity with arms extending therefrom establishing a first open side;
- providing a second end module mold having a cavity with arms extending therefrom establishing a second open side;
- providing a third end module mold having a cavity with arms extending therefrom establishing a third open side, the cavity of the third end module mold having a partial perimeter shape different from the cavity of the second end module mold;
- selectively assembling the first mold to the second mold to provide a first combined cavity of a first perimeter shape and assembling the first mold to the third mold to provide a second combined cavity of a second perimeter shape different from the first perimeter shape;
- and molding plastic within the first or second cavities to form an outlet assembly of selective geometry.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.