Overhead ventilation system incorporating a downwardly configured rear supply plenum with upward configured and reverse bended directional outlet

Abstract

A ventilation system for use with a cooking appliance to maintain an atmospheric pressure balance existing within an enclosed space surrounding the cooking appliance. A hood establishes a three-dimensional and interiorly recessed configuration and which is supported above the appliance. A filter within the hood communicates with a vacuum driven exhaust extending from the enclosed space. A supply plenum secures in downwardly and opposing fashion relative to a side of the cooking appliance. An air intake communicates the supply plenum with an exterior environment, the plenum terminating in an upwardly angled outlet for introducing intake air along the side of the appliance, resulting in heating and elevating the intake air within a perimeter defined by the hood and thereby minimizing loss of conditioned air existing within the enclosed space.

1 . A ventilation system for use with a cooking appliance which maintains an atmospheric pressure balance existing within an enclosed space surrounding the cooking appliance, said system comprising:
 a hood establishing a substantially three-dimensional and interiorly recessed configuration and which is supported in generally elevated fashion above the appliance, said hood incorporating a filter communicating with a vacuum driven exhaust extending from said hood and the enclosed space; and   a supply plenum secured in downwardly and opposing fashion relative to a side of the cooking appliance, an air intake communicating said supply plenum with an exterior environment, said plenum terminating in an upwardly angled outlet for introducing intake air along the side of the appliance, resulting in heating and elevating the intake air within a perimeter defined by said hood thereby minimizing loss of conditioned air existing within the enclosed space.   
   
   
       2 . The ventilation system as described in  claim 1 , said hood exhibiting a specified shape and size and further comprising a generally rectangular shape. 
   
   
       3 . The ventilation system as described in  claim 2 , said plenum exhibiting a specified shape and size and further comprising a three-dimensional and elongated module secured along a side edge of said hood. 
   
   
       4 . The ventilation system as described in  claim 3 , further comprising a pair of elongated and substantially planar skirts secured in downwardly extending fashion from first and second ends of said hood, said skirts overlaying associated ends of said supply plenum. 
   
   
       5 . The ventilation system as described in  claim 4 , said plenum outlet extending in substantially lengthwise fashion between said ends. 
   
   
       6 . The ventilation system as described in  claim 5 , further comprising an elongated and perforated plate secured over said plenum outlet. 
   
   
       7 . The ventilation system as described in  claim 5 , said plenum exhibiting a specified shape and size and further comprising a first downwardly extending passageway in communication with said air intake, a second reverse angled and upwardly extending passageway communicating with said first passageway and terminating in said outlet. 
   
   
       8 . The ventilation system as described in  claim 1 , further comprising a vacuum generating blower incorporated into an exterior location of said exhaust. 
   
   
       9 . The ventilation system as described in  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of elongated support hangers extending from a ceiling location of the enclosed space and securing to respective top face locations associated with at least one of said support plenum and said hood. 
   
   
       10 . The ventilation system as described in  claim 1 , said filter exhibiting a specified shape and size and further comprising a baffle filter secured in angled fashion between first and second interior defining ends of said hood. 
   
   
       11 . The ventilation system as described in  claim 10 , said hood interior further comprising respective upper and lower lengthwise extending supports for securing said baffle filter in communication with said vacuum driven exhaust, a grease collection trap associated with a tilted end location providing for disposal of liquid based contaminants collected by said filter. 
   
   
       12 . The ventilation system as described in  claim 1 , further comprising an incandescent light fixture secured to an interior location associated with said hood. 
   
   
       13 . The ventilation system as described in  claim 3 , said air intake further comprising first and second branches communicating with individual locations associated with said elongated module. 
   
   
       14 . A ventilation system for use with a cooking appliance which maintains an atmospheric pressure balance existing within an enclosed space surrounding the cooking appliance, said system comprising:
 a hood establishing a substantially three-dimensional and interiorly recessed configuration overlaying the appliance, a vacuum driven exhaust extending from said hood and the enclosed space; and   an elongated supply plenum extending downwardly from an associated side of the cooking appliance and which is supplied by an air intake communicating with an exterior environment, said plenum terminating in an upwardly angled outlet for introducing intake air along the side of the appliance, resulting in heating and elevating the intake air within a perimeter defined by said hood thereby minimizing loss of conditioned air existing within the enclosed space.   
   
   
       15 . The ventilation system as described in  claim 15 , further comprising an elongated and perforated plate secured over said plenum outlet. 
   
   
       16 . The ventilation system as described in  claim 14 , said plenum exhibiting a specified shape and size and further comprising a first downwardly extending passageway in communication with said air intake, a second reverse angled and upwardly extending passageway communicating with said first passageway and terminating in said outlet. 
   
   
       17 . The ventilation system as described in  claim 14 , further comprising a vacuum generating blower incorporated into an exterior location of said exhaust. 
   
   
       18 . The ventilation system as described in  claim 14 , said air intake further comprising first and second branches communicating with individual locations associated with said elongated module. 
   
   
       19 . A supply plenum module for use with a hood filter assembly for a cooking appliance and which maintains an atmospheric pressure balance existing within an enclosed space surrounding the cooking appliance, comprising:
 the hood establishing a substantially three-dimensional and interiorly recessed configuration and which is supported in generally elevated fashion above the appliance, a filter being disposed within an interior of the hood and communicating with a vacuum driven exhaust extending from the enclosed space; and   said supply plenum further comprising a three-dimensional and elongated module secured in downwardly extending fashion along a side of the hood and in order to be arrayed in opposing fashion to a corresponding side of the cooking appliance, an air intake communicating said supply plenum with an exterior environment, said plenum terminating in an upwardly angled outlet for introducing intake air along the side of the appliance, resulting in heating and elevating the intake air within a perimeter defined by said hood, thereby minimizing loss of conditioned air existing within the enclosed space.   
   
   
       20 . The module as described in  claim 19 , said air intake further comprising first and second branches communicating with individual locations associated with said elongated module.