Nozzle for air ducts

Abstract

A nozzle for an air duct, the nozzle comprising a tube (6) made of fabric or foil, the tube (6) having an inlet opening for drawing in air from the air duct at its inlet end (2) and an outlet opening for air outlet at its outlet end (11), wherein the nozzle is provided at its outer side with a proximal circumferential ring (1a) and a distal circumferential ring (1b) arranged spaced apart from each other; and an adjustment device for adjusting the direction of the air exiting the nozzle row, wherein the adjustment device comprises an adjustment element (7) and a pair of fastening elements (4), each of the fastening elements (4) being attached to the adjustment element (7) and comprising a fastening portion (4a) comprising a saddle portion and two arms extending from the saddle portion, and the fastening portion (4a) being for detachably mounting the fastening element (4) to the circumferential ring (1a, 1b) by inserting the circumferential ring (1a, 1b) between the pair of arms of the fastening portion (4a), wherein the adjustment element (7) has an adjustable length, and by adjusting the length of the adjustment element (7) between the fastening elements (4) when one of the fastening elements (4) is mounted by its fastening portion (4a) to the proximal circumferential ring (1a) and the other of the fastening elements (4) is mounted by its fastening portion (4a) on the distal circumferential ring (1b), the degree of inclination of the outlet plane of the nozzle relative to the inlet plane of the nozzle is adjusted and locked.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a nozzle for an air conditioning duct, wherein the nozzle comprises a tube made of a flexible material having an inlet end for drawing air from the air duct and an outlet end for discharging air, wherein the inlet end is adapted to be fixed to the wall of the air duct, and the nozzle is provided with an adjustment element for setting the direction of the discharging air. Background Technology

[0002] Air ducts for air distribution are known in the art. These air ducts may be made of metal or fabric and have openings for allowing air distributed from the duct to pass through its surroundings.

[0003] The opening may be fitted with a nozzle to increase the reach of the distributed airflow. Some known nozzles for air ducts have a rigidly defined shape, thus the direction in which air exits the nozzle is also rigidly defined. Therefore, these ducts cannot be altered in air direction after installation or during operation.

[0004] Additionally, nozzles with adjustable outlet direction are provided with four spaced-apart sleeves, each extending from the inlet end of the nozzle to the outlet end, and having an internal fastening band fixed to one side and protruding beyond the sleeve on the other side, as is known in the art. The length of the nozzle can be adjusted on one side of the nozzle by sliding the sleeve along the band, thereby bending it to a desired direction. The slow and difficult adjustment of these adjustable nozzles is a drawback because the sleeves reduce the nozzle's flexibility.

[0005] Furthermore, nozzles with external adjustment elements are known in the art, which can be fixed to a ring or annular reinforcement via their distal and proximal ends, and the direction of the nozzle can be changed by altering the length of the adjustment element. Adjusting the length of such a nozzle is easier than that of a nozzle with a longitudinal sleeve, and the object of this invention is to make adjustment faster and easier. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The shortcomings of the prior art are eliminated by using a nozzle for air ducts, the nozzle comprising:

[0007] A flexible material tube, preferably a flexible material tube of fabric or foil, having an inlet opening at its inlet end for drawing air from an air duct, and an outlet opening at its outlet end for air outlet, wherein the nozzle has proximal and distal circumferential annular rings arranged spaced apart from each other on its outer side; and

[0008] A regulating device for regulating the direction of air discharged from the nozzle, wherein the regulating device includes a regulating element.

[0009] The adjusting device includes a pair of fastening elements, each of which is attached to the adjusting element and includes a fastening portion comprising a saddle portion and two arms extending from the saddle portion. The fastening portion is used to removably fasten the fastening element to the circumferential annular ring by inserting the circumferential annular ring between the pair of arms of the fastening portion.

[0010] The adjusting element has an adjustable length. When one of the fastening elements is installed on the proximal circumferential ring through its fastening portion, and the other of the fastening elements is installed on the distal circumferential ring through its fastening portion, the inclination of the nozzle's outlet opening plane relative to the nozzle's inlet opening plane is adjusted and locked by adjusting the length of the adjusting element between the fastening elements.

[0011] Preferably, the fastening portion of the fastening element is formed by a C-shaped profile or a J-shaped profile.

[0012] Advantageously, the fastening element also includes an interconnecting portion connected to the fastening portion.

[0013] Preferably, the interconnecting portion is connected to the saddle portion of the fastening portion on the side of the space defined between the arms opposite to the fastening portion.

[0014] Preferably, the proximal circumferential annular ring and / or the distal circumferential annular ring have: a widened annular region, i.e., a region with a larger cross-section; and a thinner annular region extending parallel to the widened annular region, i.e., a region with a thinner cross-section. Preferably, the thinner annular region extends between the widened annular region and the region connecting the circumferential annular ring and the tube, or the thinner annular region forms the region connecting the circumferential annular ring and the tube.

[0015] Also advantageously, the proximal circumferential annulus and / or the distal circumferential annulus include a sleeve sewn from the material of the tube. In this case, preferably, the sewn area for forming the sleeve also forms the area for connecting the sleeve to the nozzle.

[0016] Preferably, the annular reinforcing member is arranged in the sleeve; more preferably, the annular reinforcing member is in the form of a line.

[0017] The aforementioned deficiencies of the prior art are also eliminated by an air duct whose wall includes at least one through opening, wherein, on the outer side of the wall, the through opening is adjacent to the proximal end region of the nozzle according to any one of the preceding claims, for guiding airflow through the through opening. Attached Figure Description

[0018] The invention will be described in further detail based on exemplary embodiments shown schematically (and not to scale) in the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0019] Figure 1 This shows a view of the nozzle in its default state;

[0020] Figure 2 An enlarged side view of the fastening element is shown;

[0021] Figure 3 A perspective view of the fastening element is shown;

[0022] Figure 4 A view of the nozzle in a directional state is shown;

[0023] Figure 5 A cross-sectional view of an annular ring with a fastening element is shown; and

[0024] Figure 6 A cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a nozzle with an inserted regulator is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0025] Figure 1 A portion of the wall 10 of an air conditioning duct is shown, to which a fabric nozzle according to the invention is fixed. The nozzle comprises a cylindrical tube 6 having an inlet end 2 through which the nozzle is fixed to the wall 10 of the air duct, such that the nozzle forms an extension of an opening in the wall 10, or such that the inlet end 2 surrounds the opening. The tube 6 also includes an outlet end 11, to which a truncated conical shell-shaped end member 3 is coaxially attached.

[0026] The inlet end 2 of the tube 6 is provided with a proximal circumferential annular ring 1a on its outer side, wherein the annular ring 1a includes a narrower annular region 21 and a wider annular region 22 extending in parallel, wherein the narrower annular region 21 forms the connection area between the circumferential annular ring 1 and the nozzle, or alternatively, the narrower annular region 21 may be arranged between the wider annular region 22 and the annular region where the circumferential annular ring 1 and the nozzle are attached. In this embodiment, the circumferential annular ring is formed by a sleeve made of fabric, and the nozzle is made of the fabric; thus, the annular ring is made by folding the fabric and sewing it together, and the annular ring is reinforced by an annular reinforcement 23 arranged in the sleeve.

[0027] The annular reinforcement 23 may be in the form of a wire made of metal, plastic, or composite material. Preferably, the annular reinforcement is made of a rope such as a silicon string. In another embodiment (not shown), the annular reinforcement 23 is omitted, and the sleeve is reinforced by folding the material to form the sleeve, such that the sleeve itself constitutes a reinforced proximal circumferential annular ring 1a, or may constitute a widened annular region 22.

[0028] A proximal circumferential annular ring 1a is arranged near the inlet end 2 of the tube 6. The nozzle is also provided with a distal circumferential annular ring 1b, which is spaced apart from the proximal circumferential annular ring 1a and arranged away from the inlet end 2 of the tube 6. The distal circumferential annular ring 1b can be designed to correspond to the design of the proximal circumferential annular ring 1a in any of the above embodiments.

[0029] The air duct can be made of metal, but is preferably made of fabric. The nozzle can be made of any flexible material, but is preferably made of fabric, and most preferably of the same material as the wall 10 of the air duct.

[0030] End component 3 is coaxially attached to the outlet end 11 of pipe 6, wherein the cross-sectional area of ​​end component 3 decreases as the distance from the outlet end 11 increases.

[0031] The invention also includes an adjustment device comprising an adjustment element 7 and a pair of fastening elements 4, the fastening elements 4 being fastened to the circumferential rings 1a and 1b.

[0032] The adjusting element 7 is in the form of a strap or rope with a locking device, such as a buckle 5, a fastener, or a rope stop. The buckle 5 may have a corresponding opening through which the adjusting element 7 can be pulled. The buckle 5 may be, for example, a plastic buckle or a metal buckle with a fastener.

[0033] Alternatively, the locking device may form part of one of the fastening elements 4, namely its interconnecting portion 4b. For example, the buckle may be an integral part of the interconnecting portion 4b.

[0034] The fastening element 4 is made of plastic, or may be made of metal or composite material, and is preferably manufactured by injecting plastic into a mold. The fastening element 4 includes a fastening portion 4a and an interconnecting portion 4b. The fastening portion 4a is preferably C-shaped and can be fastened to the annular rings 1a and 1b by placing the fastening portion on the annular rings. The interconnecting portion 4b is arranged on the opposite side from the internal space (or C-shaped profile) of the fastening portion 4a. The interconnecting portion 4b includes a through opening 8 through which the adjusting element 7 extends.

[0035] The shape of the inner surface of the fastening portion 4a of the fastening element 4 is preferably complementary to the shape of the outer surface of the circumferential rings 1a and 1b, and is therefore preferably cylindrical. Generally, the fastening portion 4a may include a saddle portion from which arms extend on both sides, preferably symmetrically, such that the saddle portion and the arms together define a channel that opens in two axial directions and along its entire length in a transverse direction, i.e., in a direction, for example, opposite to the saddle portion, wherein the width of the transverse opening region, i.e., the distance between the distal ends of the arms, is equal to or greater than the width of the narrower annular region 21 of the circumferential rings 1a and 1b, but less than the width of the wider annular region 22 of the circumferential rings 1a and 1b.

[0036] The maximum mutual distance between the arms of the fastening portion 4a, i.e., the distance in the widest region of the space defined by the arms, is greater than the mutual distance between the distal ends of the arms. The fastening portion 4a of the fastening element may preferably be flexible, such that when the fastening element 4 is placed on the circumferential rings 1a, 1b (or when the element is removed), the arms of the fastening portion 4a may be temporarily pulled apart from each other, thereby allowing the arms to move on the widened portion 22 of the circumferential rings 1a, 1b.

[0037] Instead of extending through the through opening 8 in the interconnect portion 4b, the adjusting element 7 can be securely attached to the fastening element 4, i.e., attached to the interconnect portion 4b, or the connecting element 4 can be composed only of the fastening portion 4a, in which the adjusting element 7 is attached to the fastening portion 4a in the region of the C-shaped saddle portion.

[0038] The default setting of the length of the adjusting element 7 ensures that the axis of the end member 3 (or the outlet end) is the same as the axis of the inlet opening at the inlet end 2 of the pipe 6, causing the discharged air to flow substantially perpendicular to the wall 10 of the air duct. When the length of the adjusting element 7 is shortened, the axis of the end member 3 is inclined relative to the axis of the inlet opening at the inlet end 2. A maximum deviation between the axes is recommended to be 30°. Therefore, the adjusting device can be configured such that the minimum possible length of the adjusting element 7 corresponds to a 30° deviation of the axes.

[0039] In other words, the direction of the air leaving the nozzle is set by adjusting the inclination of the plane of the circumferential annular ring arranged at the outlet end 11 of the pipe 6 relative to the plane of the circumferential annular ring arranged at the inlet end 2 of the nozzle. This adjustment is performed as follows: on the side of the nozzle to which the nozzle will bend, a fastening element 4 is mounted on the proximal circumferential annular ring 1a at the inlet end 2 of the pipe 6 via its fastening portion 4a, thereby fastening the element to the annular ring, and another fastening element 4 is mounted on the distal circumferential annular ring 11b, thereby fastening the element to the ring. Subsequently, the length of the adjusting element 7 between the fastened fastening elements 4 is adjusted and locked, thereby fixing their mutual distance, and thus also fixing the inclination of the outlet end of the pipe 6 relative to the inlet end of the pipe 6. The length of the adjusting element 7 is locked with a buckle or a stop.

[0040] Whenever it is necessary to change the direction of the air leaving the nozzle, one or both of the fastening elements 4 can be slid along the circumferential ring and / or the length of the adjusting element 7 can be changed and locked.

[0041] The annular reinforcement 23 is detachably arranged in the sleeve or permanently sewn into the sleeve and is completely covered by the fabric of the sleeve.

[0042] The circumferential rings 1a and 1b can also be covered by cuff-like portions 30. These cuff-like portions 30 are preferably made of the same material as the tube 6 and are respectively fixed to the inlet end 2 and the outlet end 11, wherein each cuff-like portion can be tilted to an operating position, in which the cuff-like portion covers at least the circumferential rings 1a and 1b, and can be tilted back to the assembly position (e.g., ...). Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown), at this assembly position, the circumferential rings 1a and 1b are accessible, and operation can be performed using the fastening element 4.

[0043] As shown in the figure, the nozzle may include a tube 6 and an end member 3, wherein the tube 6 has a substantially constant cross-section along its entire length, while the end member 3 has a continuously tapering cross-section. Alternatively, the tube 6 may also be continuously tapering, in which case the end member 3 may be present but is not required. The cross-section of the tube 6 and / or the end member 3 is preferably circular, but may also have other shapes, such as square, rectangular, or elliptical.

[0044] Additionally, a regulator 40 for adjusting the amount of exhaust air can be arranged inside the nozzle. This regulator has a tubular shape, with its inlet end coaxially fixed inside the nozzle. Its outlet end is provided with a fastening mechanism 42, such as a fastening rope or strap. The cross-section of the outlet end of the regulator 40 can be adjusted and locked via this fastening mechanism 42, thereby adjusting and locking the amount of air leaving the nozzle during operation. Figure 6 As shown, the fastening band or cord may be arranged circumferentially and may be fastened by a ring or one or more sleeves, such that the fastening band or cord may cover the material of the regulator 40 along the outlet end of the regulator 40, thereby reducing the cross-sectional area of ​​the outlet circumference. The regulator 40, which adjusts the air output, is preferably also made of fabric, or possibly foil, and is sewn into or sewn to the inner wall of the nozzle.

[0045] The nozzles according to the invention are particularly suitable for fabric air ducts, but they can also be used for metal air ducts.

[0046] Obviously, those skilled in the art will readily find other possible alternatives to the embodiments described herein. Therefore, the scope of protection is not limited to these exemplary embodiments, but is defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A nozzle for an air duct, the nozzle comprising: A tube (6), made of fabric or foil, having an inlet opening at its inlet end (2) for drawing air from an air duct, and an outlet opening at its outlet end (11) for air outlet, wherein the nozzle is provided with a proximal circumferential annular ring (1a) and a distal circumferential annular ring (1b) arranged spaced apart from each other on its outer side; and An adjusting device for adjusting the direction of air leaving the nozzle, wherein the adjusting device includes an adjusting element (7). The adjustment device is characterized in that it includes a pair of fastening elements (4), each of which is attached to the adjustment element (7) and includes a fastening portion (4a), the fastening portion (4a) including a saddle portion and two arms extending from the saddle portion, and the fastening portion (4a) is used to detachably mount the fastening element (4) to the circumferential ring (1a, 1b) by inserting the circumferential ring (1a, 1b) between the pair of arms of the fastening portion (4a). The adjusting element (7) has an adjustable length. When one of the fastening elements (4) is installed to the proximal circumferential ring (1a) through its fastening portion (4a), and the other of the fastening elements (4) is installed to the distal circumferential ring (1b) through its fastening portion (4a), the inclination of the nozzle's outlet plane relative to the nozzle's inlet plane is adjusted and locked by adjusting the length of the adjusting element (7) between the fastening elements (4). The proximal circumferential annular ring (1a) and / or the distal circumferential annular ring (1b) include a sleeve sewn from the material of the tube (6), and an annular reinforcement (23) is arranged in the sleeve, wherein the annular reinforcement (23) is in the form of a rope.

2. The nozzle according to claim 1, characterized in that, The fastening portion (4a) of the fastening element (4) is formed by a C-shaped profile or a J-shaped profile.

3. The nozzle according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The fastening element (4) further includes an interconnecting portion (4b) connected to the fastening portion (4a).

4. The nozzle according to claim 3, characterized in that, The interconnecting portion (4b) is connected to the saddle portion of the fastening portion (4a) on the side of the space defined between the arms opposite to the fastening portion (4a).

5. The nozzle according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The proximal circumferential annular ring (1a) and / or the distal circumferential annular ring (1b) have a widened annular region (22) and a thinner annular region (21), the thinner annular region (21) extending parallel to the widened annular region (22).

6. The nozzle according to claim 5, characterized in that, The thinner annular region (21) extends between the widened annular region (22) and the region connecting the circumferential annular rings (1a, 1b) and the tube (6), or the thinner annular region (21) forms the region connecting the circumferential annular rings (1a, 1b) and the tube (6).

7. The nozzle according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, An airflow regulator is coaxially arranged in the nozzle. The regulator has a tubular shape and a fastening mechanism is provided at its outlet end for adjusting the cross-sectional dimensions of the outlet end of the regulator.

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