Cornice duct system

Abstract

An energy efficient air distribution system placed within the conditioned space of a building comprising a duct having an interior volume for conducting air. One of the exterior surfaces may have an ornamental design providing the impression the device is actually cornice molding. An opening extends through the duct wall for releasing conditioned air from the duct interior into the conditioned space. Opening is positioned on the duct to be visibly obscured. In one embodiment, a flow control mechanism is positioned adjacent to the opening for controlling the amount of conditioned flowing through the opening.

1 . An air conditioning and diffusing device for mounting on a wall within a conditioned space, the device comprising: 
 a duct having a duct wall forming an interior volume through which the conditioned air flows;    an ornamental surface on an exterior section of the duct wall, the ornamental surface having a surface profile comprising a projection;    a channel extending through the duct wall and having an inlet on an interior of the duct wall and an outlet on the ornamental surface, the channel having an angled orientation with the inlet being vertically below the outlet, the outlet positioned to be inward of and below the projection; and    a hanger to attach to the wall, the hanger extending from the duct wall along an edge facing the wall and opposite from the ornamental surface, the hanger having an arm that extends in a direction substantially opposite of the angled orientation of the channel.    
   
   
       2 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a supporting surface on the edge facing the wall, the supporting surface spaced away from the hanger and having a flat surface aligned with an outer edge of the hanger such that the flat surface and the outer edge of the hanger contact the wall when mounted to the wall.  
   
   
       3 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the edge facing the wall further comprises an indent extending between a bottom edge of the hanger and an upper edge of the supporting surface, the indent spaced inward from a plane formed by from the outer edge of the hanger and the supporting surface.  
   
   
       4 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a panel sized to fit between an upper surface of the duct and the ceiling when the device is mounted to the wall and having an angled front edge that aligns with the outlet.  
   
   
       5 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a controller positioned within a space formed above and behind the projection, the controller rotatably adjustable between first and second orientations to control an amount of the conditioned air flowing through the channel.  
   
   
       6 . An air conditioning and diffusing device for mounting on a wall adjacent to a ceiling within a conditioned space, the device comprising: 
 a duct wall forming an interior volume through which conditioned air flows;    an ornamental surface on an exterior section of the duct wall;    a channel extending through the duct wall and having an inlet on an interior of the duct wall and an outlet on the ornamental surface, the channel having an angled orientation with the inlet being vertically below the outlet; and    a panel positioned between an upper edge of the duct wall and the ceiling, the panel having an angled front edge that aligns with the outlet to further direct the conditioned air towards the ceiling.    
   
   
       7 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein the exterior ornamental surface further comprises a projection positioned below the opening and that extends outward beyond the outlet.  
   
   
       8 . The device of  claim 7 , wherein the projection comprises an inner edge that angles towards the ceiling and is substantially aligned with the channel to further direct the conditioned air towards the ceiling.  
   
   
       9 . The device of  claim 7 , further comprising a rotating controller attached to the ornamental surface and positioned within a space formed between the projection and the front edge of the panel, the controller movable between first and second positions to control an amount of the conditioned air moving through the channel.  
   
   
       10 . An air conditioning and diffusing device for mounting on a wall adjacent to a ceiling within a conditioned space, the device comprising: 
 a duct having a duct wall forming an interior volume through which conditioned air flows, the duct wall further having an exterior ornamental surface with a surface profile comprising a projection;    an opening that extends through the duct wall to diffuse the conditioned air from the interior volume into the conditioned space, the opening extending through a front section of the duct;    a hanger extending from a back section of the duct and having an arm forming a space between an exterior surface of the back section and an inner edge of the arm; and    a panel positioned at an upper edge of the duct wall and having a length substantially equal to the duct, the panel having an angled front edge that aligns with the opening to further direct the air towards the ceiling.    
   
   
       11 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the panel is constructed of a compressible material having an uncompressed width greater than a width between the upper edge of the duct and the ceiling.  
   
   
       12 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the panel has a width to lock the duct into position and prevent upward movement of the duct.  
   
   
       13 . A network for diffusing conditioned air through a conditioned space, the duct network comprising: 
 first and second ducts each comprising: 
 a wall forming an interior volume through which the conditioned air flows, each of the plurality of ducts having a duct width extending between a first interior surface and a second interior surface; and  
 a channel extending through the duct wall and having an inlet on one of the first and second interior surfaces and an outlet on the first exterior surface;  
   a panel sized to fit between a ceiling of the conditioned space and a top exterior surface of the wall, the panel having an angled front edge that aligns with the outlet when mounted between the top exterior surface and the ceiling;    a joining insert having a first end and a second end for joining together the first and second duct, the joining insert having an insert width to fit within the duct width such that the first end fits within the first duct and the second end fits within the second duct.    
   
   
       14 . The device of  claim 13 , wherein the joining insert is substantially straight and the first end faces away from the second end.  
   
   
       15 . The device of  claim 13 , wherein the joining insert forms a substantially right angle with the first end facing about 90° away from the second end.  
   
   
       16 . The device of  claim 15 , wherein the joining insert further comprises a corner unit having a first opening and a second opening.  
   
   
       17 . The device of  claim 16 , wherein the first exterior surface is ornamental and includes a projection positioned below the outlet.  
   
   
       18 . The device of  claim 13 , wherein the joining sleeve is sealed within the first duct and the second duct.  
   
   
       19 . The device of  claim 18 , wherein the joining sleeve contacts the first and second surfaces of the first duct and the second duct.  
   
   
       20 . An air conditioning and diffusing device for mounting on a wall adjacent to a ceiling within a conditioned space, the device comprising: 
 a duct having an exterior surface comprising a first section and a second section spaced away from the first section, the duct further comprising an interior surface forming an interior volume in which conditioned air flows;    an opening that extends between the interior surface and the exterior surface to diffuse the conditioned air from the interior volume into the conditioned space, the opening extending through the first section and having an angled orientation with an inlet at the interior surface vertically below an outlet at the exterior surface to direct the conditioned air towards the ceiling;    a hanger extending from the second section and having an arm forming a space between the exterior surface of the second section and an inner edge of the arm; and    a panel positioned at an upper edge of the duct and having a length substantially equal to a distance between the exterior surfaces of the first and second sections, the panel having an angled front edge that aligns with the opening to further direct the air towards the ceiling.    
   
   
       21 . The device of  claim 20 , wherein the hanger is positioned on an opposite side of the duct from the opening.  
   
   
       22 . The device of  claim 20 , wherein a top section of the hanger is substantially flush with an upper section of the duct.  
   
   
       23 . The device of  claim 20 , further comprising a projection extending outward from the first section at a point vertically below the opening.