Magnetic louver grille hanging system

Abstract

A universal hanging system for securing louver grilles over duct openings that allows existing louver grilles to be interchanged. The hanging system comprises a ferromagnetic support member that is fastened to the surface adjacent a duct opening. A magnet is employed to removably attach a louver grille to the support member.

1 . A hanging system for securing a louver grille over a duct opening in a surface, the system comprising: 
 at least one ferromagnetic support member; and    at least one magnet for attachment to a backside of the grille;    wherein when the support member is fastened to the surface adjacent the duct opening and the magnet is attached to the backside of the grille and placed in contact with the support member, the grille is removably secured to the surface.    
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the support member is sized smaller than a corresponding dimension of the louver grille.  
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the louver grille is ferromagnetic and the magnet is attached to the grille by magnetic attraction.  
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the support member is fastened with a screw.  
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the support member is fastened with an adhesive.  
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the support member is fastened with a nail.  
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the support member is fastened with double-sided tape.  
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the magnet is secured to the louver grille by an adhesive.  
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the magnet is secured to the louver grille by double-sided tape.  
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising, a shim placed between the support member and the surface, the shim thickness sized to place the magnet attached to the louver grille in contact with the support member when a back edge of the grille is in contact with the surface.  
   
   
       11 . The system of  claim 10  wherein multiple shims are used to attain the shim thickness.  
   
   
       12 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the louver grille is ferromagnetic and the magnet is attached to the grille by magnetic attraction.  
   
   
       13 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the support member is fastened with a screw.  
   
   
       14 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the support member is fastened with an adhesive.  
   
   
       15 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the support member is fastened with a nail.  
   
   
       16 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the support member is fastened with double-sided tape.  
   
   
       17 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the magnet is secured to the louver grille by an adhesive.  
   
   
       18 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the magnet is secured to the louver grille by double-sided tape.  
   
   
       19 . The system of  claim 2  further comprising, a shim placed between the support member and the surface, the shim thickness sized to place the magnet attached to the louver grille in contact with the support member when a back edge of the grille is in contact with the surface.  
   
   
       20 . The system of  claim 19  wherein multiple shims are used to attain the shim thickness.  
   
   
       21 . The system of  claim 3  further comprising, a shim placed between the support member and the surface, the shim thickness sized to place the magnet attached to the louver grille in contact with the support member when a back edge of the grille is in contact with the surface.  
   
   
       22 . The system of  claim 21  wherein multiple shims are used to attain the shim thickness.  
   
   
       23 . The system of  claim 12  further comprising, a shim placed between the support member and the surface, the shim thickness sized to place the magnet attached to the louver grille in contact with the support member when a back edge of the grille is in contact with the surface.  
   
   
       24 . The system of  claim 23  wherein multiple shims are used to attain the shim thickness.  
   
   
       25 . A method of securing a louver grille over a duct opening in a surface, the method comprising: 
 fastening a ferromagnetic support member to the surface adjacent the duct opening;    attaching a magnet to the backside of the louver grille;    securing the louver grille and the magnet to the support member with magnetic attraction between the magnet and the support member.    
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 25  wherein at least one shim is placed between the support member and the surface so that the magnet contacts the support member when a back edge of the louver grille is in contact with the surface.