Debris trap and filter cover for vent opening

Abstract

A temporary debris trap and air filter which may be installed on floor vent openings in the early stages of home or commercial construction. After the floors are cut open for vent openings, the trap and filter is laid over the opening and easily affixed by adhesive strips on the flanges. The screen on top prevents construction debris from entering the duct boots and duct system and the filter below prevents dust and fine particles from entering the system while simultaneously allowing the free flow of cooled or heated air to enter the room area. The air will not be obstructed so the building and construction materials can be acclimatized during the construction period, the HVAC system can be tested and adjusted for proper air balance and the construction workers can breath filtered and conditioned air.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims the benefit of Provisional Application Ser. No. 60 / 877,980 filed Jan. 2, 2007.STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT[0002]Not applicable.REFERENCE TO A MICROFICHE APPENDIX[0003]Not applicable.BACKGROUND INFORMATION AND DISCUSSION OF RELATED ART[0004]In modern home building construction, HVAC systems typically sheet metal ducts that are routed to communicate with one or more vent openings in the floor of a given room. A preformed sheet-metal “boot” is fitted inside the perimeter of each opening for connection with the duct work. Two common sized of floor vent openings are 4 in. by 10 in. and 4 in. by 12 in. FIG. 1 illustrates a typical floor boot and duct installation.[0005]It is not unusual for workers to allow the floor boot to remain uncovered during construction, and it is customary to operate the HVAC system to control the ambient temperature in the rooms under construction to permit th...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0015]The frame of the device is made of disposable material, such as corrugated fiberboard or re-enforced paperboard, and within the frame is a pleated, medium to high efficiency, air filter that stops small particles and fine construction dust from entering the boot and ducts while permitting large volume of air to flow out the vent opening and into the room. The top of the frame will have a screen to block large items and construction debris from falling into the ducts. The flanges on the device will have a peel away strip and a glue base for simple installation.

Problems solved by technology

As a result, wallboard dust, sawdust, nails, wood, metal and wire fragments, and other construction debris will often enter the boots and accumulate inside the ducts and associated HVAC equipment.

Unless thoroughly removed when construction is finished, the accumulated debris will impair the operation of the HVAC system by restricting the flow of conditioned air below the rate for which the system was designed.

Moreover, debris particles and dust will be expelled from the vent openings during system operation be inhaled by the building occupants to the detriment of their health and cause undesirable odors.

Further, because nail or screw holes are formed in the surrounding floor surface to receive the cover fasteners, additional time is needed to refill these holes when construction work is finished and the covers are removed.

It does not permit air, heated or cooled, to come out of opening and will prevent the operation and testing of the HVAC system during the construction period.

This devise is not designed for nor suitable for construction because it is a consumer product to be added after construction, is a permanent two-part product that has a raised permanent housing that allows replacement of the filter.

Because it is mounted over the grille or vent opening can be a tripping hazard for construction workers.

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