Ventilation fan trim ring and system

Abstract

A ventilation fan trim ring is disclosed, and may include a base, a wall extending from the base, an opening defined by a concave portion of the base, and at least one slot defined by a slot portion of the base. The base may have a first surface and a second surface opposing the first surface. The wall may extend from the base in a first direction. The wall may define an interior space of the base. The opening may be arranged in the interior space of the base. The concave portion of the base may extend in the first direction.

1 . A ventilation fan trim ring, comprising: 
 a base having a first surface and a second surface opposing the first surface;    a wall extending from the base in a first direction, the wall defining an interior space of the base;   an opening defined by a concave portion of the base arranged in the interior space of the base, the concave portion of the base extending in the first direction; and    at least one slot defined by a slot portion of the base.    
     
     
         2 . The ventilation fan trim ring of  claim 1 , wherein the base of the trim ring is configured to extend beyond an edge of an opening in a drywall, ceiling, or other wall material in which the ventilation fan trim ring is configured to be installed.  
     
     
         3 . The ventilation fan trim ring of  claim 1 , wherein the walls on the second surface of the base are closer to the opening than outward edges of the base.  
     
     
         4 . The ventilation fan trim ring of  claim 1 , wherein the slot portion of the base extends in the first direction from the second surface of the base,  
       wherein each slot has an entry end and an exit end, each slot defining: 
 a first stage section on the entry end of the slot, the first stage section having opposing walls parallel with a longitudinal axis of the slot;  
 a second stage section adjacent to the first stage section opposite the entry end of the slot, the second stage section having opposing walls oblique to the longitudinal axis of the slot; and 
 a third stage section on the exit end of the slot and adjacent to the second stage section, the third stage section having opposing walls parallel with a longitudinal axis of the slot. 
 
     
     
         5 . The ventilation fan trim ring of  claim 1 , wherein each slot of the at least one slot has a first opening and a second opening opposite the first opening, wherein the first opening is integrally formed in the first surface of the base. 
     
     
         6 . The ventilation fan trim ring of  claim 1 , wherein the base includes a rim extending around a periphery of the opening.  
     
     
         7 . The ventilation fan trim ring of  claim 1 , wherein the opening is configured to receive a portion of a ventilation fan.  
     
     
         8 . The ventilation fan trim ring of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one slot includes two slots arranged on opposing sides of the base.  
     
     
         9 . The ventilation fan trim ring of  claim 1 , wherein each slot of the at least one slot is configured to accommodate one or more spring clips therein. 
     
     
         10 . The ventilation fan trim ring of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one slot is positioned in the interior space of the base. 
     
     
         11 . The ventilation fan trim ring of  claim 1 , wherein the slot portion of the base extends in the first direction farther than the wall. 
     
     
         12 . The ventilation fan trim ring of  claim 1 , wherein the ventilation fan trim ring is configured to couple to a shield by way of a connector extending through the at least one slot. 
     
     
         13 . The ventilation fan trim ring of  claim 1 , wherein the wall includes a first wall portion, a second wall portion, a third wall portion, and a fourth wall portion,  
       wherein the first wall portion is parallel to the second wall portion, 
       wherein the third wall portion is parallel to the fourth wall portion, 
       wherein the first and second wall portions are transverse to the third and fourth wall portions. 
     
     
         14 . The ventilation fan trim ring of  claim 13 , wherein the first wall portion, the second wall portion, third wall portion, and the fourth wall form a continuous polygonal shape. 
     
     
         15 . A ventilation fan assembly, comprising: 
 a ventilation fan having a housing;    a trim ring including a base removably coupled to an internal portion of the housing; and    a shield coupled to the trim ring and substantially covering the housing and trim ring.    
     
     
         16 . The ventilation fan assembly of  claim 15 , wherein the trim ring includes a slot configured to receive a connection device of the shield therethrough, the connection device configured to couple the shield to the trim ring.  
     
     
         17 . The ventilation fan assembly of  claim 15 , wherein ventilation fan assembly is configured such that an end of the connection device enters the internal portion of the housing when a width of the first end of the spring clip is expanded to be greater than a distance between opposing walls of an exit end of the slot. 
     
     
         18 . The ventilation fan assembly of  claim 15 , wherein the trim ring includes an opening configured to receive a component from the ventilation fan.  
     
     
         19 . The ventilation fan assembly of  claim 15 , wherein the shield is spaced apart from the trim ring. 
     
     
         20 . The ventilation fan assembly of  claim 19 , wherein the shield is spaced apart from the trim ring by way of a fastener extending from the shield, and  
       wherein the trim ring is configured to receive the fastener in a surface of the trim ring.