Airflow deflector and method of using the same

Abstract

An outlet vent airflow directing apparatus. The airflow directing apparatus may have a flexible body with elastic peripheral edges. In use, the elastic peripheral edges may engage all but one side or portion of outlet vent, wherein the unengaged peripheral edge forms an opening between the flexible body and the outlet vent through which directed air flows.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An outlet vent deflecting apparatus comprising:
 a flexible tensile membrane selected to be moveable by an airflow rate between ten and thirty-five meters per second; and   an elastic periphery along approximately sixty to eighty percent of a periphery of the flexible tensile membrane.   
     
     
         2 . The outlet vent deflecting apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the elastic periphery comprises an elastic filament incorporated into the periphery of the flexible tensile membrane. 
     
     
         3 . The outlet vent deflecting apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the elastic filament is disposed in a peripheral channel of the flexible tensile membrane. 
     
     
         4 . The outlet vent deflecting apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the elastic filament is outside of the peripheral channel along a remaining portion of the periphery of the flexible tensile membrane. 
     
     
         5 . The outlet vent deflecting apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the peripheral channel is defined by a hem. 
     
     
         6 . The outlet vent deflecting apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the hem is sewn into the flexible tensile membrane. 
     
     
         7 . The outlet vent deflecting apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the flexible tensile membrane is generally planar when the outlet vent is inactive. 
     
     
         8 . A method of deflecting an airflow from an outlet vent comprising:
 selecting a planar flexible tensile membrane selected to be moveable by an airflow from the outlet vent at a rate between ten and thirty-five meters per second;   integrating an elastic element along between sixty and eighty percent of a periphery of the planar flexible tensile membrane; and   engaging the elastic element to a vent periphery of the outlet vent so that the tensile membrane obstructs an entirety of the outlet vent.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising engaging the elastic element to between sixty percent and eighty percent of the vent periphery; and
 selecting an unengaged percentage of the vent periphery as a desired direction of the airflow from the outlet vent.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising placing the engaged percentage of the elastic element below a flange of the outlet vent.