Universal Air Pattern Controller for a Diffuser

Abstract

A universal air pattern controller for use in conjunction with a slot diffuser comprises one or more tubular, elongate universal air pattern controllers mounted with a spring clip to a diffuser frame. The diffuser frame comprises two side frames mounted on opposing sides of a center frame by a spacer, each of the side frames and center frame having flanges which define an elongate slot from which air exits the diffuser. The universal air pattern controller is suitable, without modification or customization, for use in both conventional and linear slot diffuser applications and in non-traditional curved, angled, or specially-shaped diffuser applications.

1 . A slot diffuser with a universal air pattern controller suitable for use in any of a curved, angled, linear, or specially-shaped slot diffuser, the device comprising:
 a) an air slot diffuser comprising at least two opposing and substantially parallel side frames having top edges and bottom edges, each side frame having a substantially perpendicular inwardly-extending flange at the bottom edge;   b) a spacer connecting the at least two side frames at the top edges, whereby the flanges of the connected side frames define elongate air slots, and   c) one or more elongate, tubular universal air pattern controllers mounted adjacent at least one of the side frames and a corresponding side frame flange.   
     
     
         2 . The slot diffuser with a universal air pattern controller of  claim 1 , wherein the at least two opposing side frames further comprise inwardly-facing tracks adjacent the top edges. 
     
     
         3 . The slot diffuser with a universal air pattern controller of  claim 2 , wherein the tracks further comprise an upper lip and a lower lip, and wherein the upper and lower lip define a recessed area within the tracks. 
     
     
         4 . The slot diffuser with a universal air pattern controller of  claim 3 , wherein the H-bar is adapted to slidably connect to the tracks of the side frames. 
     
     
         5 . The slot diffuser with a universal air pattern controller of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more elongate tubular universal air pattern controllers is mounted to at least one of the side frames by one or more spring clips. 
     
     
         6 . The slot diffuser with a universal air pattern controller of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more elongate tubular universal air pattern controllers is mounted to at least one of the side frames by one or more spring clips; wherein the one or more spring clips comprise a first end and a second end; wherein the first end is adapted to connect to the bottom lip of the track of at least one side frame; wherein the second end is adapted to abut the one or more elongate tubular universal air pattern controllers, and wherein the one or more spring clips apply supporting frictional force to urge the one or more elongate tubular universal air pattern controllers into engagement with at least one side frame and hold the one or more elongate tubular universal air pattern controllers in place. 
     
     
         7 . The slot diffuser with a universal air pattern controller of  claim 1 , wherein the shape of the slot diffuser is linear. 
     
     
         8 . The slot diffuser with a universal air pattern controller of  claim 1 , wherein the shape of at least a portion of the slot diffuser is curved. 
     
     
         9 . The slot diffuser with a universal air pattern controller of  claim 1 , wherein the shape of the slot diffuser incorporates at least one angle. 
     
     
         10 . The slot diffuser with a universal air pattern controller of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more elongate, tubular universal air pattern controllers form a continuous, enclosed tube spanning substantially the length of the slot diffuser. 
     
     
         11 . The slot diffuser with a universal air pattern controller of  claim 1 , wherein the cross section of the one or more elongate, tubular universal air pattern controllers is circular. 
     
     
         12 . A slot diffuser with a universal air pattern controller suitable for use in any of a curved, angled, linear, or specially-shaped slot diffuser, the device comprising:
 a) an air slot diffuser comprising at least one pair of opposing and substantially parallel side frames having top edges and bottom edges, each side frame having a substantially perpendicular inwardly-extending flange at the bottom edge;   b) at least one center frame between each pair of side frames, each center frame having a top edge and a bottom edge, and each center frame having flanges at the bottom edge extending toward each opposing side frame;   b) a spacer connecting each side frame to the center frame at the top edges, whereby the flanges of the connected side frames and center frame define elongate air slots, and   c) one or more elongate, tubular universal air pattern controllers mounted adjacent at least one side frame or center frame and a corresponding side frame flange or center frame flange.   
     
     
         13 . The slot diffuser with a universal air pattern controller of  claim 12 , wherein the at least one pair of opposing side frames and the at least one center frame further comprise inwardly-facing tracks adjacent the top edges, the tracks further comprising an upper lip adjacent the top edge of the side frame or the center frame, and a lower lip between the upper lip and the bottom edge of the side frame or center frame. 
     
     
         14 . The slot diffuser with a universal air pattern controller of  claim 13 , wherein the spacer is an H-bar adapted to slidably connect to the tracks of the side frames and the tracks of the center frame. 
     
     
         15 . The slot diffuser with a universal air pattern controller of  claim 13 , wherein the one or more elongate tubular universal air pattern controllers are mounted to at least one side frame or the center frame by one or more spring clips. 
     
     
         16 . The slot diffuser with a universal air pattern controller of  claim 15 , wherein the one or more spring clips comprise a first end and a second end; wherein the first end is adapted to connect to the bottom lip of the track of at least one side frame or center frame; wherein the second end is adapted to abut the one or more elongate tubular universal air pattern controllers, and wherein the one or more spring clips apply supporting frictional force to urge the one or more elongate tubular universal air pattern controllers into engagement with at least one side frame or center frame and hold the one or more elongate tubular universal air pattern controllers in place. 
     
     
         17 . The slot diffuser with a universal air pattern controller of  claim 12 , wherein the shape of at least a portion of the slot diffuser is curved. 
     
     
         18 . The slot diffuser with a universal air pattern controller of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more elongate, tubular universal air pattern controllers form a continuous, enclosed tube spanning substantially the length of the slot diffuser, and wherein the cross section of the one or more elongate, tubular universal air pattern controllers is circular. 
     
     
         19 . A slot diffuser with a universal air pattern controller suitable for use in any of a curved, angled, linear, or specially-shaped slot diffuser, device comprising:
 a) an air slot diffuser with a shape incorporating at least one curve comprising at least two opposing, curved, and substantially parallel extruded side frames having top edges and bottom edges, each side frame having a substantially perpendicular inwardly-extending and unitarily extruded flange at the bottom edge;   b) a spacer connecting the at least two side frames at the top edges, whereby the flanges of the connected side frames define curved, elongate air slots, and   c) one or more elongate, tubular universal air pattern controllers mounted adjacent at least one curved side frame and a corresponding curved side frame flange by at least one spring clip.   
     
     
         20 . The slot diffuser with a universal air pattern controller of  claim 19 , wherein the one or more elongate, tubular universal air pattern controllers forms a continuous, enclosed tube spanning substantially the length of the curved slot diffuser, and wherein the cross section of the one or more elongate, tubular universal air pattern controllers is circular.