Airflow deflector apparatus

Abstract

An airflow deflector apparatus for directing air flowing from an air vent includes a panel with a first face and a second face positioned opposite each other and a perimeter edge between the first face and the second face. The panel has a thickness between the first face and the second face which is sized and configured to fit in a slot defined by adjacent fins of a plurality of fins of an air vent diffuser. A connector is coupled to the panel and is configured to attach the panel to the air vent diffuser when the panel is positioned extending into the slot.

I claim: 
     
         1 . An airflow deflector apparatus for use with an air vent diffuser, the apparatus comprising:
 a panel having a first face and a second face positioned opposite each other, the panel having a perimeter edge between the first face and the second face, the panel having a thickness between the first face and the second face which is sized and configured to fit in a slot defined by adjacent fins of a plurality of fins of the air vent diffuser; and   a connector coupled to the panel and configured to attach the panel to the air vent diffuser when the panel is positioned extending into the slot.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the panel has a length between a pair of end portions of the perimeter edge which is sized and configured to extend along an entirety of the slot. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the panel has a rectangular shape. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the panel has rounded corners. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the connector is positioned on the first face adjacent to one of a pair of lateral portions of the perimeter edge of the panel. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the connector comprises a clip configured to receive one of the plurality of fins of the air vent diffuser. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the clip has a U-shape. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the connector is pivotable with respect to the panel around an axis which extends through the first face. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , further comprising an adjustment member coupling the connector to the panel, the adjustment member being configured to secure the connector in any of a variety of positions with respect to the panel. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the adjustment member comprises a cylinder which defines a plurality of grooves in a perimeter surface thereof, the connector having teeth which mesh with the grooves of the adjustment member, the teeth of the connector securing the connector with respect to the adjustment member unless urged by a sufficient torque. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the clip is frictionally enhanced on an interior surface of the U-shape adjacent to a distal end of the U-shape with respect to the panel. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the clip defines notches on the interior surface of the U-shape adjacent to the distal end. 
     
     
         13 . An airflow deflector apparatus for use with an air vent diffuser, the apparatus comprising:
 a panel having a first face and a second face positioned opposite each other, the panel having a perimeter edge between the first face and the second face, the panel having a thickness between the first face and the second face which is sized and configured to fit in a slot defined by adjacent fins of a plurality of fins of the air vent diffuser, the panel having a length between a pair of end portions of the perimeter edge which is sized and configured to extend along an entirety of the slot, the panel having a rectangular shape, the panel having rounded corners;   a connector coupled to the panel and configured to attach the panel to the air vent diffuser when the panel is positioned extending into the slot, the connector being positioned on the first face adjacent to one of a pair of lateral portions of the perimeter edge of the panel, the connector comprising a clip configured to receive one of the plurality of fins of the air vent diffuser, the clip having a U-shape, the clip defining notches on an interior surface of the U-shape adjacent to a distal end of the U-shape with respect to the panel, the notches frictionally enhancing the clip, the connector being pivotable with respect to the panel around an axis which extends through the first face; and   an adjustment member coupling the connector to the panel, the adjustment member being configured to secure the connector in any of a variety of positions with respect to the panel, the adjustment member comprising a cylinder which defines a plurality of grooves in a perimeter surface thereof, the connector having teeth which mesh with the grooves of the adjustment member, the teeth of the connector securing the connector with respect to the adjustment member unless urged by a sufficient torque.   
     
     
         14 . An airflow deflection system comprising:
 an air vent diffuser having a plurality of fins;   a panel releasably mountable to the air vent diffuser, the panel having a first face and a second face positioned opposite each other, the panel having a perimeter edge between the first face and the second face, the panel having a thickness between the first face and the second face which is sized to position the panel to extend through a slot defined by adjacent fins of the plurality of fins of the air vent diffuser; and   a connector configured to mount the panel to the air vent diffuser when the panel is positioned extending into the slot.   
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the plurality of fins is oriented to diffuse airflow exiting an air vent outwardly from a central axis of the airflow. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the fins are oriented parallel to each other, each fin extending across an aperture defined by the air vent diffuser. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the panel has a length between a pair of end portions of the perimeter edge such that the panel is positionable to extend along an entirety of the slot when mounted to the air vent diffuser. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the connector is mounted to the panel on the first face adjacent to one of a pair of lateral portions of the perimeter edge. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , further comprising an adjustment member coupling the connector to the panel, the adjustment member being configured to secure the connector in any of a variety of positions with respect to the panel, the connector being pivotable with respect to the panel about the adjustment member. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 19 , wherein the adjustment member comprises a cylinder which defines a plurality of grooves in a perimeter surface thereof, the connector having teeth which mesh with the grooves of the adjustment member, the teeth of the connector securing the connector with respect to the adjustment member unless urged by a sufficient torque.