Air duct blocking device for obstructing airflow through portions of an air duct system

Abstract

The present invention discloses an air duct blocking device for obstructing airflow through portions of an air duct system. The blocking device may include a support plate having an interior side and an exterior side and an adjustable fastener configured on the exterior side. The air duct blocking device may include a flexible connector having a hook at one end that is capable of attaching to a register boot. The flexible connector passes through the support plate and the adjustable fastener, and the adjustable fastener is capable of securing the support plate in a fixed position relative to the flexible connector. The air duct blocking device may include a substantially planar gasket configured on the interior side of the support plate that is capable of blocking airflow through the register boot when the gasket is held against the register boot by the adjustable fastener secured to the flexible connector.

1 . An air duct blocking device for obstructing airflow through portions of an air duct system, the air duct blocking device comprising:
 a support plate having an interior side and an exterior side;   an adjustable fastener configured on the exterior side of the support plate;   a flexible connector having a hook at one end, the hook capable of attaching to a register boot in the air duct system, the flexible connector passing through the support plate and the adjustable fastener, the adjustable fastener capable of securing the support plate in a fixed position relative to the flexible connector; and   a substantially planar gasket configured on the interior side of the support plate, the gasket capable of blocking airflow through the register boot when the gasket is held adjacent to the register boot by the adjustable fastener being secured to the flexible connector.   
     
     
         2 . The air duct blocking device of  claim 1  wherein the gasket is configured to engulf portions of the register boot pressed against the gasket. 
     
     
         3 . The air duct blocking device of  claim 1  wherein:
 the air duct system comprises an air vent register attached to the register boot; and 
 the gasket is capable of blocking airflow through the register boot when the gasket is held against the air vent register by the adjustable fastener being secured to the flexible connector. 
 
     
     
         4 . The air duct blocking device of  claim 3  wherein the gasket is configured to engulf portions of the air vent register that protrude into the gasket. 
     
     
         5 . The air duct blocking device of  claim 1  wherein the hook of the flexible connector attaches to a collar of the register boot. 
     
     
         6 . The air duct blocking device of  claim 1  wherein the adjustable fastener comprise a pushbutton configured to allow the flexible connector to pass freely through the adjustable fastener when the pushbutton is depressed and to hold the flexible connector in a fix position relative to the adjustable fastener when the pushbutton is released. 
     
     
         7 . The air duct blocking device of  claim 1  wherein the gasket comprises an outer edge region that is tapered away from the support plate. 
     
     
         8 . The air duct blocking device of  claim 1  wherein the flexible connector comprises an outer surface that is textured to increase friction between flexible connector and the adjustable fastener. 
     
     
         9 . The air duct blocking device of  claim 1  wherein the flexible connector and the adjustable fastener are configured to operate together as a ratchet. 
     
     
         10 . The air duct blocking device of  claim 1  wherein the perimeter of the gasket is larger than the perimeter of the support plate. 
     
     
         11 . The air duct blocking device of  claim 1  wherein the flexible connector is configured to be rigid in a first orientation and bendable along a second orientation. 
     
     
         12 . The air duct blocking device of  claim 1  wherein the support plate along a first dimension is at least as large as an opening along a corresponding dimension of the register boot. 
     
     
         13 . An air duct blocking device for obstructing airflow through portions of an air duct system, the air duct blocking device comprising:
 a support plate having an interior side and an exterior side;   an adjustable fastener configured on the exterior side of the support plate;   a flexible connector having a hook at one end, the hook capable of attaching to a register boot, the flexible connector passing through the support plate and the adjustable fastener, the adjustable fastener capable of securing the support plate in a fixed position relative to the flexible connector; and   a blocking plug configured on the interior side of the support plate, the blocking plug capable of obstructing airflow through the register boot when the blocking plug is held against a collar of the register boot by the adjustable fastener being secured to the flexible connector.   
     
     
         14 . The air duct blocking device of  claim 13  wherein the flexible connector comprises an elastic cord. 
     
     
         15 . The air duct blocking device of  claim 13  wherein the flexible connector comprises a hook for attaching the flexible connector to a collar of the register boot. 
     
     
         16 . The air duct blocking device of  claim 13  wherein the flexible connector is configured to be rigid in a first orientation and bendable along a second orientation. 
     
     
         17 . An air duct blocking device for obstructing airflow through portions of an air duct system, the air duct blocking device comprising:
 a substantially planar cap, the cap having an adjustable fastener configured on an exterior side of the cap, the cap capable of blocking airflow through a register boot of an air duct system when the cap is secured to the register boot; and   a flexible connector having a hook at one end, the hook capable of attaching to the collar of the register boot in the air duct system, the flexible connector passing through the cap and the adjustable fastener, the adjustable fastener capable of securing the cap in a fixed position relative to the flexible connector.   
     
     
         18 . The air duct blocking device of  claim 17  wherein the cap is configured from spongy material. 
     
     
         19 . The air duct blocking device of  claim 17  wherein the cap is foam.