Filter-grille devices and positioning devices therefor

Abstract

A filter-grille device comprises a housing fabricated from a non-magnetic material. A plurality of airflow holes are distributed through an airflow region of the housing such that a percentage of total empty space through the first housing portion. A filter is disposed proximate to the first housing portion and over the airflow region, creating a light-weight filter-grille device. A frame may be installed over an entrance of a duct that has slanted surfaces and magnets to facilitate installation of the filter-grille device. Positioning tools may also assist installation.

1 . A filter-grille device, comprising
 a housing including a first housing portion fabricated from a non-magnetic material, the first housing portion including a plurality of first-housing-portion airflow holes distributed through an airflow region of the first housing portion such that a percentage of total empty space through the first housing portion in the airflow region is between about ten percent and about ninety percent, and   a filter disposed proximate to the first housing portion and over the airflow region.   
     
     
         2 . The filter-grille device of  claim 1 , in which the total empty space through the first housing portion is between about thirty percent and about sixty percent. 
     
     
         3 . The filter-grille device of  claim 2 , in which the total empty space through the first housing portion is between about thirty-five percent and about forty-five percent. 
     
     
         4 . The filter-grille device of  claim 3 , in which the total empty space through the first housing portion is about forty percent. 
     
     
         5 . The filter-grille device of  claim 1 , in which a percentage of total empty space through the first housing portion in a sector of the airflow region is about equal to the percentage of total empty space through the first housing portion in the airflow region. 
     
     
         6 . The filter-grille device of  claim 1 , in which at least 50% of the plurality of first-housing-portion airflow holes have an area of less than about two square inches. 
     
     
         7 . The filter-grille device of  claim 1 , in which the filter contacts the first housing portion over the airflow region. 
     
     
         8 . The filter-grille device of  claim 1 , further comprising a second housing portion connected to the first housing portion such that the filter is disposed between the first housing portion and the second housing portion. 
     
     
         9 . The filter-grilled device of  claim 8 , in which the second housing portion includes at least one slanted side surface angled at a first angle. 
     
     
         10 . The filter-grille device of  claim 9 , in which the at least one slanted side surface is disposed adjacent to the filter. 
     
     
         11 . The filter-grilled device of  claim 9 , further comprising at least one attachment component attached to the second housing portion. 
     
     
         12 . The filter-grille device of  claim 10 , in which the at least one attachment component comprises a magnet. 
     
     
         13 . The filter-grille device of  claim 10 , in which the at least one attachment component comprises a ferromagnetic material. 
     
     
         14 . A kit, comprising:
 a filter-grille device, comprising
 a housing including a first housing portion connected to a second housing portion, the first housing portion and second housing portion both comprising a non-magnetic material, 
 the first housing portion including a plurality of first-housing-portion airflow holes distributed through an airflow region of the first housing portion such that a percentage of total empty space through the first housing portion in the airflow region is between about ten percent and about ninety percent, 
 the second housing portion including at least one slanted side surface angled at a first angle and at least one magnet that is attached to the non-magnetic material of the second housing portion; 
   a filter disposed between the first housing portion and the second housing portion over the airflow region; and   a frame having at least one slanted surface angled at a second angle that is about equal to the first angle.   
     
     
         15 . The kit of  claim 13 , in which the frame comprises a non-magnetic material and includes at least one other magnet that is attached to the non-magnetic material of the frame. 
     
     
         16 . The kit of  claim 13 , in which the at least one slanted side surface of the second housing portion is disposed proximate to the at least one slanted surface of the frame and the at least one magnet is magnetically coupled to the at least one other magnet. 
     
     
         17 . The kit of  claim 15 , in which the at least one slanted side surface of the second housing portion contacts the at least one slanted surface of the frame. 
     
     
         18 . The kit of  claim 13 , further comprising at least one additional filter-grille device. 
     
     
         19 . The kit of  claim 17 , further comprising four additional filter-grille devices. 
     
     
         20 . The kit of  claim 13 , in which a percentage of total empty space through the first housing portion in a sector of the airflow region is about equal to the percentage of total empty space through the first housing portion in the airflow region.