Methods and Apparatus for Providing an Improved Damper, Boot and Damper Combination and an Improved HVAC Duct System

Abstract

A damper arrangement is described which moves dampers from a location closer to an air source to a boot located adjacent to a ceiling register, grill, or the like, thereby allowing technicians or owners to more readily make adjustments. A substantially flush boot collar mounting preserves leak free flow,and keeps insulation installation simple. An internal adjustment mechanism, such as a loop, avoids the need to pull the ceiling grill from the ceiling. Both insulation and subsequent adjustment are simplified.

1 .- 12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . A damper, boot and damper adjustment mechanism combination comprising:
 a boot having a circular collar of a first diameter, the circular caller having an outermost surface;   a circular damper plate of a second diameter slightly less than the first diameter;   a mechanical connector arranged at least at one end of a diameter of the circular damper plate;   an adjustment mechanism utilized by applying an adjustment force to a bottom face of the circular damper plate at a position displaced from a center of the circular damper plate; and   a mechanical mounting arrangement for mounting the damper plate internally to the circular collar whereby the outermost surface of the circular collar is not substantially changed by the mechanical mounting arrangement.   
     
     
         14 . The damper, boot and damper adjustment mechanism combination of  claim 13  further comprising:
 a circular sleeve of insulation pulled snugly down over the outermost surface of said circular collar. 
 
     
     
         15 . The damper, boot and damper adjustment mechanism combination of  claim 13  wherein the mechanical connector comprises two diametrically opposed connectors arranged at opposite ends of the diameter of the circular damper plate. 
     
     
         16 . The damper, boot and damper adjustment mechanism combination of  claim 15  wherein the mechanical mounting arrangement comprises a rivet rotatably mounting each of the two diametrically opposed connectors to the circular boot collar with an outermost surface of the rivet substantially flush with the outermost surface of the circular collar of the boot. 
     
     
         17 . The damper, boot and damper adjustment mechanism combination of  claim 16  wherein the rivets clamp against the circular boot collar providing sufficient clamping force whereby the circular damper plate is not moved by normal air flow through the circular boot collar during use in a heating, ventilation and air conditioning system. 
     
     
         18 . The damper, boot and damper adjustment mechanism combination of  claim 13  further comprising:
 a lock mechanism to provide resistance to rotation so that once the circular damper plate is adjusted it will not move until physically readjusted. 
 
     
     
         19 . The damper, boot and damper adjustment mechanism combination of  claim 18  wherein the mechanical connector comprises two diametrically opposed connectors arranged at opposite ends of the diameter of the circular damper plate.