GRILLE ARRANGEMENT, ESPECIALLY FOR AIR DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This patent application claims priority from Italian patent application no. 102021000022988 filed on September 06, 2021.TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] This invention relates to a grid assembly, in particular for air distribution systems.BACKGROUND

[0003] As known, in air distribution systems and, in particular, in controlled mechanical ventilation, grids are commonly used to close the end openings of the conduits in which the air passes.

[0004] For example, it is known to use end units consisting of a casing provided with one or more connections to connect to corresponding conduits and an opening closed by a grid.

[0005] The grid is commonly fixed to the casing, for example using screws. The use of screws has, however, a negative effect on the aesthetics of the grid.

[0006] It is also known to couple the grid to the casing via springs, which project behind the grid and engage corresponding coupling seats in the casing or operate by simple friction / interference. For example, the grid may have two individual springs or two pairs of springs located on opposite sides of the grid.

[0007] For example, NL1008524 discloses a grating system with a frame upon which a grating can be fixed; a connecting piece can be fixed to the frame that supports a sleeve connectable to an air duct. The frame is provided with a through passage; the through passage in the frame and the periphery of the connecting piece have a complementary shape so that they fit tightly on each other. The frame has notches which issue into the through passage and the connecting piece has projections which snap-engage into the notches.

[0008] GB2436865 discloses a grill assembly for a duct fan unit comprising a square or rectangular grill mounted on a circular mounting plate so that the grill is rotatable relative to the mounting plate. The grill has a circular mounting structure having a hook designed to fit over the rim of the mounting plate. The grill is provided with flexible clips that hook over the rim and spring back to hold the grill onto the plate but still permits the grill to be rotated relative to the mounting plate. Upon aligning the grill, screws are used to prevent the grill from moving.

[0009] JP2001317774 discloses a ventilation equipment comprising a body having a fan motor and a fan, and a decorative panel that is detachably mounted to the front of the body. An engagement claw is provided at the decorative panel and extends to the rear side to engage a mounting opening in the body.

[0010] The known coupling devices of the type now recalled are not completely satisfactory, firstly because they may prove not to be fully reliable in keeping the grid coupled. Because of this, a safety cable that is hooked between the grid and the inner casing, so as to avoid the grid from detaching and falling, is sometimes provided (especially in ceiling installations).

[0011] Even the disassembly of the grid for any cleaning and / or maintenance operations may be relatively complicated, because the springs are not easily accessible or operable.

[0012] The known coupling devices may also be relatively complex to produce, in particular due to the need to equip the grid with suitably shaped and arranged springs.

[0013] In addition, if a filter is joined to the grid, it may be relatively difficult and complicated to mount the filter on the grid, just like accessing the filter for cleaning, maintenance, and replacement operations.SUMMARY

[0014] This invention proposes to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art highlighted here, in a particularly simple and efficient way.

[0015] In particular, the invention proposes the purpose of providing a grid assembly, in particular for air distribution systems, which makes it possible to simply, but at the same time completely reliably, couple the grid, without requiring safety cables and without the use of visible screws on the front of the grid.

[0016] This invention thus relates to a grid assembly, in particular for air distribution systems, as defined in claim 1 below.

[0017] Preferred features of the invention are defined in the dependent claims.

[0018] The invention makes it possible to couple the grid in a simple and fast, but at the same time completely reliable, way, avoiding the need to use safety cables.

[0019] The assembly and disassembly of the grid are, in addition, particularly simple and fast.

[0020] The grid assembly of the invention is, in addition, very simple to produce.

[0021] In preferred embodiments, the grid assembly of the invention is also equipped with a filter, which is, in turn, easily assembled and disassembled.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] Additional features and advantages of this invention will be clear from the description that follows of a nonlimiting embodiment, with reference to the attached figures, in which: Figure 1 is a front, exploded, perspective view of a grid assembly, in particular for air distribution systems, in accordance with the invention; Figure 2 is a rear perspective view of a component, in particular a grid, of the grid assembly in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a front perspective view of an additional component, in particular a mounting frame, of the grid assembly in Figure 1; Figure 4 is a rear perspective view, with parts removed for clarity, of a detail of the grid assembly in Figure 1 assembled, in particular of the components in Figures 2 and 3; Figure 5 is a front perspective view of an additional component of the grid assembly in Figure 1, in particular a filter-holder. DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0023] Figure 1 indicates as a whole, with reference number 1, a grid assembly, in particular for air distribution systems such as, for example, the so-called controlled mechanical ventilation systems.

[0024] The grid assembly 1 comprises a casing 2, a grid 3, a mounting frame 4, a coupling device 5 for coupling the grid 3 to the frame 4 and, optionally, a filter 6.

[0025] The casing 2 is normally intended to be encased in a wall or ceiling or another fixed structure and may have various shapes and dimensions. In general, the casing 2 is basically box shaped and has a front opening 7 and one or more joint mouths 8 for connecting to respective air conduits (not illustrated).

[0026] The casing 2 is provided with fastening seats 9, for example placed at respective vertices of the opening 7 inside of the casing 2 and shaped to receive, as will be better described below, respective screws or couplings of another kind, for example snap couplings.

[0027] The grid 3 is placed opposite the opening 7 of the casing 2 to close the opening 7.

[0028] In the example illustrated, but not necessarily, the grid 3 is polygonal, in particular rectangular, but it remains understood that the grid 3 may have a different shape.

[0029] With reference to Figure 2 as well, the grid 3 comprises a plate-shaped body 11 equipped with a central grid portion 12 (which may be variously shaped, also for aesthetic requirements), and an inner edge 13, folded back and orthogonal in relation to the plate body 11 and arranged around the plate body 11.

[0030] In particular, the edge 13 comprises a pair of portions 14, 15 that are opposite and facing one another. The portion 14 is provided with a contact surface 16, facing the opposite portion 15; the portion 15 has a series of undercut teeth 17 that project from the portion 15 of the edge 13 towards the opposite portion 14. The teeth 17 are spaced apart from each other along the portion 15 and extend perpendicular to the edge 13.

[0031] Optionally, the edge 13 comprises side teeth 18, which project from respective side portions 19 of the edge 13, orthogonal to the portions 14, 15. The teeth 18 extend towards each other perpendicular to the edge 13.

[0032] Advantageously, the grid 3 consists of a single, monolithic piece, for example made of metal or polymer, formed by the plate body 11 and by the edge 13 with the teeth 17 (and any other teeth 18).

[0033] With reference to Figure 3 as well, the mounting frame 4 has a generally polygonal shape, for example, but not necessarily, basically rectangular, and is formed from multiple sides 21 joined to each other and delimiting a central opening 22.

[0034] The frame 4 has an inner perimetric edge 23, which delimits the central opening 22, and an outer perimetric edge 24.

[0035] The frame 4 is provided with fastening members 25 for fastening the frame 4 to the casing 2.

[0036] In particular, the fastening members 25 comprise a plurality of through eyelets 26, formed in the frame 4 and shaped to receive respective screws (not illustrated) that engage, in use, respective fastening seats 9 formed in the casing 2.

[0037] The eyelets 26 are preferably longitudinally elongated and inclined with respect to the sides 21 of the frame 4 and are positioned at respective vertices of the frame 4 along the edge 23.

[0038] Advantageously, the frame 4 consists of a monolithic piece, for example made of polymer.

[0039] The grid 3 is removably coupled to the frame 4 using the coupling device 5.

[0040] With reference to Figure 4 as well, the coupling device 5 comprises at least one pair of elastic coupling springs 30 that project from one first side 21a of the frame 4 and cooperate with the portion 14 of the inner edge 13 of the grid 3 and, specifically, with the contact surface 16; and the undercut teeth 17 that project from the portion 15 of the edge 13 and engage respective coupling seats 31 formed on a second side 21b of the frame 4 opposite the first side 21a that carries the springs 30.

[0041] In particular, the springs 30 are defined by respective flexible projections 32 that project from the outside perimetric edge 24 of the frame 4 and protrude, undeformed, beyond the edge 24.

[0042] The springs 30 have respective roots 33 joined at the edge 24 and defining respective elastic hinges, and respective free ends 34 facing each other.

[0043] The springs 30 face respective recesses 35 formed in the edge 24 and shaped to receive the springs 30 when the springs 30 are pressed towards the edge 24 and elastically deformed in the recesses 35.

[0044] The springs 30 have respective contact surfaces 36 cooperating with the contact surface 16 of the portion 14 of the inner edge 13 of the grid 3; preferably, the contact surfaces 36 are curved surfaces and, in particular, convex surfaces.

[0045] In the preferred embodiment illustrated, the springs 30 are basically S-shaped.

[0046] The coupling seats 31 have respective inclined sliding surfaces 37 cooperating with respective teeth 17 of the grid 3.

[0047] Optionally, the coupling device 5 also includes the teeth 18, which project from the side portions 19 of the inner edge 13 of the grid 3 and engage respective side coupling seats 38 formed on respective, opposite additional sides 21c, 21d, orthogonal to the sides 21a, 21b of the frame 4.

[0048] The coupling seats 38 preferably have respective lateral mouths 39, facing outside, and respective sliding surfaces 40, slanted along the sides 21c, 21d.

[0049] The filter 6 is placed inside the grid 3 and comprises a filter-holder 41, removably fixed to the frame 4, and a filtering sheet 42 supported by the filter-holder 41 and made of a suitable (known) filtering material.

[0050] As illustrated in more detail in Figure 5, the filter-holder 41 consists of a grating element 43, having a peripheral frame 44 and ribs 45 positioned inside the peripheral frame 44 and delimiting a plurality of open zones 46.

[0051] The filter-holder 41 is provided with snap-on coupling members 47 to couple with the frame 4.

[0052] In particular, the filter-holder 41 is provided with a plurality of snap-on coupling members 47 positioned along the peripheral frame 44 and that project from the peripheral frame 44 and are shaped to engage respective seats 48 formed on an inner perimetric edge 23 of the frame 4. Clearly, the filter-holder 41 may include a different number of snap-on coupling members 47, variously shaped and arranged on the peripheral frame 44.

[0053] The filter-holder 41 is provided with a plurality of contact elements 49 laterally projecting from the peripheral frame 44 and shaped to rest against an annular front surface 50 of the frame 4; and with hooking members 51 to hook the filtering sheet 42.

[0054] The filtering sheet 42 rests on the ribs 45 and is held on the filter-holder 41 by the hooking members 51.

[0055] In use, to assemble the grid assembly 1 on the casing 2 (however it is installed, for example encased in the wall or ceiling), the frame 4 is first fastened to the casing 2, using the fastening members 25, i.e. by inserting respective screws through the eyelets 26 and, thus, in the fastening seats 9.

[0056] Successively, the filter 6, formed by the filter-holder 41 and by the filtering sheet 42, is assembled and fastened to the frame 4 via the snap-on coupling members 47.

[0057] Finally, the grid 3 is mounted: the portion 14 of the edge 13 is placed on the side 21a of the frame 4 in contact with the springs 30; thus, by moving the grid 3 towards the side 21b of the frame 4, the springs 30 are pushed into the corresponding recesses 35; thus, the teeth 17 are brought to engage the respective coupling seats 31. In this way, the grid 3 remains locked on the frame 4.

[0058] To disassemble the grid 3 from the frame 4, the grid 3 is moved against the action of the springs 30 until disengaging the teeth 17 from the corresponding coupling seats 31.

Claims

1. A grid assembly (1), in particular for air distribution systems, comprising a substantially box-shaped casing (2) having a front opening (7) and one or more joint mouths (8) for connection to respective air conduits; a grid (3) positioned in front of the front opening (7) of the casing (2) to close said opening (7); a mounting frame (4) provided with fastening members (25) to fix the frame (4) to the casing (2); and a coupling device (5) for coupling the grid (3) to the frame (4); wherein the coupling device (5) comprises at least a pair of elastic coupling springs (30) which project from a first side (21a) of the frame (4) and cooperate with a first portion (14) of an inner edge (13) of the grid (3), and one or more undercut teeth (17) projecting from a second portion (15) of the inner edge (13) of the grid (3), opposite to the first portion (14), and engaging respective coupling seats (31) formed on a second side (21b), opposite to the first side (21a), of the frame (4); and wherein the springs (30) are defined by respective projections (32) which project from an outer perimetric edge (24) of the frame (4) and protrude, in undeformed conditions, beyond said outer perimetric edge (24) of the frame (4); and wherein the springs (30) face respective recesses (35) formed in the outer perimetric edge (24) of the frame (4) and shaped to receive the springs (30) following an elastic deformation thereof.

2. A grid assembly according to claim 1, wherein the springs (30) have respective curved contact surfaces (36), cooperating with said first portion (14) of the inner edge (13) of the grid (3).

3. A grid assembly according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the springs (30) are substantially S-shaped.

4. A grid assembly according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the springs (30) have respective roots (33) joined to said outer perimetric edge (24) of the frame (4) and defining respective elastic hinges, and respective free ends (34) facing to each other.

5. A grid assembly according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the teeth (17) of the grid (3) are spaced apart from one another along said second portion (15) of the inner edge (13) of the grid (3) and extend perpendicular to said inner edge (13) of the grid (3).

6. A grid assembly according to one of the preceding claims, wherein said coupling seats (31) have respective inclined sliding surfaces (37) cooperating with respective teeth (17) of the grid (3).

7. A grid assembly according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the grid (3) is further provided with lateral teeth (18), projecting from respective lateral portions (19) of the inner edge (13) of the grid (3), perpendicular to said first and second portions (14, 15) of the inner edge (13) of the grid (3), and engage respective lateral coupling seats (38) formed on respective further opposite sides (21c, 21d), perpendicular to said first and second sides (21a, 21b), of the frame (4).

8. A grid assembly according to claim 7, wherein said lateral teeth (18) extend towards one the other perpendicular to said inner edge (13) of the grid (3); and the respective lateral coupling seats (38) have respective lateral mouths (39), facing outwards, and respective inclined sliding surfaces (40) along said further opposite sides (21c, 21d) of the frame (4).

9. A grid assembly according to one of the preceding claims, wherein said fastening members (25) of the frame (4) comprise a plurality of through eyelets (26), formed in the frame (4) and shaped to receive respective fastening screws which engage in use respective fastening seats (9) formed in the casing (2).

10. A grid assembly according to claim 9, wherein the eyelets (26) are longitudinally elongated and inclined with respect to the sides (21) of the frame (4) and are positioned at respective vertices of the frame (4).

11. A grid assembly according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a filter (6) positioned inside the grid (3) and comprising a filter-holder (41), removably fitted to the frame (4), and a filtering sheet (42) supported by the filter-holder (41).

12. A grid assembly according to claim 11, wherein the filter-holder (41) consists of a grating element (43), having a peripheral frame (44) and ribs (45) positioned inside the peripheral frame (44) and delimiting a plurality of open zones (46); and is provided with snap-on coupling members (47) to fasten the frame (4).

13. A grid assembly according to claim 12, wherein the snap-on coupling members (47) are positioned along the peripheral frame (44) and project from the peripheral frame (44) and are shaped to engage respective seats (48) formed on an inner perimetric edge (23) of the frame (4).

14. A grid assembly according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the filter-holder (41) is provided with a plurality of contact elements (49) laterally projecting from the peripheral frame (44) and shaped to rest against an annular front surface (50) of the frame (4); and with hooking members (51) to hook the filtering sheet (42).