IP Library › Granted Patent US 7,533,691

Granted Patent B2

US 7,533,691 · App. 11/195,693 · Granted May 19, 2009

Adjustable damper assembly

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Quick Facts

Patent No.: US 7,533,691
App. No.: 11/195,693
Granted: May 19, 2009
Kind: B2

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Abstract

A damper assembly, comprising an adjustable locking means for releasable retention of an element pivotally in one of a plurality of predetermined lock positions for adjusting air flow through an opening.

Claims (60)

1. A damper assembly, comprising:

a support means defining an opening;

a damper component comprising a rotation element pivotally connected to said support means;

an adjustable locking means comprising a first portion mounted to the support means and a second portion mounted to the rotation element pivotally connected to said support means, said adjustable locking means being configured for releasable retention of said rotation element pivotally connected to said support means in one of a plurality of predetermined lock positions;

wherein said first and second portions of said adjustable locking means are configured so that said rotation element pivotally connected to said support means can be rotated from one said predetermined lock position to another said predetermined lock position for adjusting air flow through said opening

wherein said rotation element pivotally connected to said support means comprises a shaft member pivotally mounted to said support means for rotation of said rotation element,

wherein said second portion is mounted to said shaft member,

wherein said first portion comprises a female component comprising a plurality of notches, and

wherein said second portion comprises a male member and a lock biasing element, said male member being releasably engageable in each of said notches for releasable locking engagement therewith and said lock biasing element being configured for biasing said male member into releasable locking engagement with a said notch,

said first and second portions of said adjustable locking means being configured and disposed such that rotation of said shaft member is able to induce displacement of said male member from one said notch to another said notch.

2. A damper assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein said first and second portions of said adjustable locking means are disposed outside of said opening.

3. A damper assembly as defined in claim 1 including a finger gripping element connected to said shaft member, for manual rotation of said shaft member.

4. A damper assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein said rotation element pivotally connected to said support means is a rotation limiter means configured and disposed for limiting rotation of a damper means between a first position and a predetermined maximum damper open position.

5. A damper assembly as defined in claim 3 wherein said first and second portions of said adjustable locking means are disposed outside of said opening.

6. A damper assembly, comprising:

a support means defining an opening;

a damper means pivotally mounted to said support means;

an adjustable locking means comprising a first portion mounted to the support means and a second portion mounted to the damper means, said adjustable locking means being configured for releasable retention of said damper means in one of a plurality of predetermined lock positions;

wherein said first and second portions of said adjustable locking means are configured so that said damper means can be rotated from one said predetermined lock position to another said predetermined lock position for adjusting air flow through said opening

wherein said damper means comprises a shaft member pivotally mounted to said support means for rotation of said damper means,

wherein said second portion is mounted to said shaft member,

wherein said first portion comprises a female component comprising a plurality of notches, and

wherein said second portion comprises a male member and a lock biasing element, said male member being releasably enciageable in each of said notches for releasable locking engagement therewith and said lock biasing element being configured for biasing said male member into releasable locking engagement with a said notch,

said first and second portions of said adiustable locking means being configured and disposed such that rotation of said shaft member is able to induce displacement of said male member from one said notch to another said notch.

7. A damper assembly as defined in claim 6 wherein said first and second portions of said adjustable locking means are disposed outside of said opening.

8. A damper assembly as defined in claim 6 including a finger gripping element connected to said shaft member, for manual rotation of the said shaft member.

9. A damper assembly as defined in claim 8 wherein said first and second portions of said adjustable locking means are disposed outside of said opening.

10. A damper assembly, comprising:

a support means defining an opening;

damper means pivotally mounted to said support means, said damper means being able to rotate between a first position and a maximum damper open position under the influence of an air flow in a first direction through said opening;

a rotation limiter means pivotally connected to said support means and configured and disposed for limiting rotation of said damper means between said first position and a predetermined maximum damper open position;

adjustable locking means comprising a first portion mounted to the support means and a second portion mounted to the rotation limiter means, said adjustable locking means being configured for releasable retention of said rotation limiter means in one of a plurality of predetermined lock positions corresponding to a respective predetermined maximum damper open position;

wherein said first and second portions of said adjustable locking means are configured so that said rotation limiter means can be rotated from one said predetermined lock position to another said predetermined lock position for adjusting air flow through said opening in said first direction

wherein said rotation limiter means comprises a shaft member pivotally mounted to said support means for rotation of said rotation limiter means,

wherein said second Dortion is mounted to said shaft member,

wherein said first portion comprises a female component comprising a plurality of notches, and

wherein said second portion comprises a male member and a lock biasinci element, said male member being releasably engageable in each of said notches for releasable locking engagement therewith and said lock biasing element being configured for biasing said male member into releasable locking engagement with a said notch,

said first and second Dortions of said adiustable locking means being configured and disposed such that rotation of said shaft member is able to induce disDlacement of said male member from one said notch to another said notch.

11. A damper assembly as defined in claim 10 wherein said first and second portions of said adjustable locking means are disposed outside of said opening.

12. A damper assembly as defined in claim 10 including a finger gripping element connected to said shaft member, for manual rotation of said shaft member.

13. A damper assembly as defined in claim 12 wherein said first and second portions of said adjustable locking means are disposed outside of said opening.

14. A damper assembly, comprising:

a support means defining an opening;

a damper means pivotally mounted to said support means, said damper means being able to rotate between a blocking position and a maximum damper open position;

a biasing means, said biasing means biasing said damper means in said blocking position;

such that air flow through said opening in a first direction is able to displace said damper means from said blocked position to an open position whereby air flow may pass through said opening in said first direction and

such that air flow through said opening in a second opposite direction is blocked;

rotation limiter means pivotally connected to said support means and configured and disposed for limiting rotation of said damper means between said first position and one of a plurality of predetermined maximum damper open positions;

wherein said rotation limiter means comprises a shaft member pivotally mounted to said support means for rotation of said rotation limiter means,

wherein said second portion is mounted to said shaft member,

wherein said first portion comprises a female component comprising a plurality of notches, and

15. A damper assembly as defined in claim 14 wherein said first and second portions of said adjustable locking means are disposed outside of said opening.

16. A damper assembly as defined in claim 14 including a finger gripping element connected to said shaft member, for manual rotation of said shaft member.

17. A damper assembly as defined in claim 16 wherein said first and second portions of said adjustable locking means are disposed outside of said opening.

18. A damper assembly as defined in claim 15 wherein said lock biasing element comprises a resilient member mounted to said shaft member, wherein said male member is mounted to said resilient member and

wherein said first and second portions of said adjustable locking means are configured so that said rotation limiter means can be rotated from one said predetermined lock position to another said predetermined lock position such that said male member is able to engage a predetermined notch in releasable snap-lock fashion.

Assignments (7)

RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jun 17, 2021

From: U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

To: BROAN-NUTONE LLC; NORTEK AIR SOLUTIONS, LLC; NORTEK GLOBAL HVAC LLC; NORTEK, INC.; ADVANCED BRIDGING TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; AIGIS MECHTRONICS, INC.; ALLSTAR PRO, LLC; ELAN HOME SYSTEMS, L.L.C.; GEFEN, INC.; GTO, INC.; HOMELOGIC LLC; INTERNATIONAL ELECTRONICS, INC.; JENSEN INDUSTRIES, INC.; LINEAR LLC; LITE TOUCH, INC.; MAGENTA RESEARCH LTD.; NILES AUDIO CORPORATION; OMNIMOUNT SYSTEMS, INC.; OPERATOR SPECIALTY COMPANY, INC.; PANAMAX INC.; SECURE WIRELESS, INC.; SPEAKERCRAFT; XANTECH CORPORATION

Reel/Frame 056614/0709 →

NOTICE OF RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS Recorded Jan 10, 2017

From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.

To: TEMTROL, INC.; WDS LLC; WEBCO, INC.; NORTEK, INC.; ADVANCED BRIDGING TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; AIGIS MECHTRONICS, INC.; ALLSTAR PRO, LLC; AUBREY MANUFACTURING, INC.; BROAN-NUTONE LLC; CES GROUP, INC.; CLEANPAK INTERNATIONAL, INC.; ELAN HOME SYSTEMS, L.L.C.; GEFEN, INC.; GOVERNAIR CORPORATION; GTO, INC.; HC INSTALLATIONS, INC.; HOMELOGIC LLC; HUNTAIR, INC.; INTERNATIONAL ELECTRONICS, INC.; J.A.R. INDUSTRIES, INC.; JENSEN INDUSTRIES, INC.; LINEAR H.K. LLC; LINEAR LLC; LITETOUCH, INC.; MAGENTA RESEARCH LTD.; MAMMOTH, INC.; NILES AUDIO CORPORATION; NORDYNE CHINA LLC; NORDYNE INC.; NORDYNE INTERNATIONAL, INC.; NORTEK INTERNATIONAL, INC.; NUTONE INC.; OMNIMOUNT SYSTEMS, INC.; OPERATOR SPECIALTY COMPANY, INC.; PACIFIC ZEPHYR RANGE HOOD, INC.; PANAMAX INC.; RANGAIRE GP, INC.; RANGAIRE LP; RANGAIRE LP, INC.; SECURE WIRELESS, INC.; SPEAKERCRAFT, INC.; XANTECH CORPORATION; ZEPHYR CORPORATION

Reel/Frame 041326/0071 →

TERMINATION AND RELEASE OF SECURITY IN PATENTS Recorded Jan 10, 2017

From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.

To: NORTEK, INC.; AIGIS MECHTRONICS, INC.; BROAN-MEXICO HOLDINGS, INC.; BROAN-NUTONE LLC; BROAN-NUTONE STORAGE SOLUTIONS LP; CES GROUP, INC.; CES INTERNATIONAL LTD.; CLEANPAK INTERNATIONAL, INC.; ELAN HOME SYSTEMS, L.L.C.; GATES THAT OPEN, LLC; GEFEN, LLC; GOVERNAIR CORPORATION; HC INSTALLATIONS, INC.; HUNTAIR, INC.; INTERNATIONAL ELECTRONICS, LLC; LINEAR LLC; LITE TOUCH, INC.; MAGENTA RESEARCH LTD.; MAMMOTH-WEBCO, INC.; NILES AUDIO CORPORATION; NORDYNE LLC; NORDYNE INTERNATIONAL, INC.; NORTEK INTERNATIONAL, INC.; NUTONE LLC; OMNIMOUNT SYSTEMS, INC.; OPERATOR SPECIALTY COMPANY, INC.; PACIFIC ZEPHYR RANGE HOOD, INC.; PANAMAX LLC; RANGAIRE GP, INC.; RANGAIRE LP, INC.; SECURE WIRELESS, INC.; SPEAKERCRAFT, LLC; TEMTROL, INC.; XANTECH LLC; ZEPHYR VENTILATION, LLC

Reel/Frame 041327/0089 →

SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jan 8, 2010

From: NORTEK, INC.; AIGIS MECHTRONICS, INC.; BROAN-MEXICO HOLDINGS, INC.; BROAN-NUTONE LLC; BROAN-NUTONE STORAGE SOLUTIONS LP; CES GROUP, INC.; CES INTERNATIONAL LTD.; CLEANPAK INTERNATIONAL, INC.; ELAN HOME SYSTEMS, L.L.C.; GATES THAT OPEN, LLC; GEFEN, LLC; GOVERNAIR CORPORATION; HC INSTALLATIONS, INC.; HUNTAIR, INC.; INTERNATIONAL ELECTRONICS, LLC; LINEAR LLC; LITE TOUCH, INC.; MAGENTA RESEARCH LTD.; MAMMOTH-WEBCO, INC.; NILES AUDIO CORPORATION; NORDYNE LLC; NORDYNE INTERNATIONAL, INC.; NORTEK INTERNATIONAL, INC.; NUTONE LLC; OMNIMOUNT SYSTEMS, INC.; OPERATOR SPECIALTY COMPANY, INC.; PACIFIC ZEPHYR RANGE HOOD INC.; PANAMAX LLC; RANGAIRE GP, INC.; RANGAIRE LP, INC.; SECURE WIRELESS, INC.; SPEAKERCRAFT, LLC; TEMTROL, INC.; XANTECH LLC; ZEPHYR VENTILATION, LLC

To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.

Reel/Frame 023750/0040 →

SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jul 31, 2008

From: NORTEK, INC.; ADVANCED BRIDGING TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; AIGIS MECHTRONICS, INC.; ALLSTAR PRO, LLC; BROAN-NUTONE LLC; CLEANPAK INTERNATIONAL, INC.; ELAN HOME SYSTEMS, L.L.C.; GEFEN, INC.; GTO, INC.; HOMELOGIC LLC; HUNTAIR, INC.; INTERNATIONAL ELECTRONICS, INC.; JENSEN INDUSTRIES, INC.; LINEAR LLC; LITE TOUCH, INC.; MAGENTA RESEARCH LTD.; MAMMOTH, INC.; NILES AUDIO CORPORATION; NORDYNE INC.; NUTONE INC.; OMNIMOUNT SYSTEMS, INC.; OPERATOR SPECIALTY COMPANY, INC.; PANAMAX INC.; RANGAIRE LP; SECURE WIRELESS, INC.; SPEAKERCRAFT, INC.; TEMTROL, INC.; WEBCO, INC.; XANTECH CORPORATION; ZEPHYR CORPORATION

To: U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

Reel/Frame 021316/0764 →

SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jul 29, 2008

From: NORTEK, INC.; ADVANCED BRIDGING TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; AIGIS MECHTRONICS, INC.; ALLSTAR PRO, LLC; AUBREY MANUFACTURING, INC.; BROAN-NUTONE LLC; CES GROUP, INC.; CLEANPAK INTERNATIONAL, INC.; ELAN HOME SYSTEMS, L.L.C.; GEFEN, INC.; GOVERNAIR CORPORATION; GTO, INC.; HC INSTALLATIONS, INC.; HOMELOGIC LLC; HUNTAIR, INC.; INTERNATIONAL ELECTRONICS, INC.; J.A.R. INDUSTRIES, INC.; JENSEN INDUSTRIES, INC.; LINEAR H.K. LLC; LINEAR LLC; LITETOUCH, INC.; MAGENTA RESEARCH LTD.; MAMMOTH, INC.; NILES AUDIO CORPORATION; NORDYNE CHINA LLC; NORDYNE INC.; NORDYNE INTERNATIONAL, INC.; NORTEK INTERNATIONAL, INC.; NUTONE INC.; OMNIMOUNT SYSTEMS, INC.; OPERATOR SPECIALTY COMPANY, INC.; PACIFIC ZEPHYR RANGE HOOD, INC.; PANAMAX INC.; RANGAIRE GP, INC.; RANGAIRE LP; RANGAIRE LP, INC.; SECURE WIRELESS, INC.; SEAKERCRAFT, INC.; TEMTROL, INC.; WDS LLC; WEBCO, INC.; XANTECH CORPORATION; ZEPHYR CORPORATION

To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.

Reel/Frame 021301/0927 →

ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 3, 2005

From: LEGARE, CHRISTIAN; MARCOUX, DANIEL; GAGNON, MARTIN; CHARLEBOIS, ERIC

To: VENMAR VENTILATION INC.

Reel/Frame 016867/0115 →