DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0018] The present invention is directed to an automated, motorized air diffuser mechanism for use in a raised access flooring system. The mechanism, operable through wired or wireless input signals, and intended to provide a variable volume control, will now be described with regard to the accompanying Figures, where like reference numerals represent like components or features throughout the several views.

[0019] Turning first to the first embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2 , where FIG. 1 illustrates the assembled air diffuser mechanism 10 according to the present invention, where the respective components may be of plastic or aluminum construction, the mechanism comprises a generally circular hanging frame member 12 having a removable grill member 14 with a series of concentric openings 16 , preferably transmitting the supplied conditioned air in a 360° cyclonic “swirl” discharge pattern to the room space above the mechanism. The frame member further features a laterally extending flange 18 , such as made of an aesthetically pleasing brushed aluminum, to override the floor carpeting, as known in the art, and an axially extending body portion 20 , where the body portion is externally threaded 22 to receive a comparably threaded retention ring 24 . When suitably joined together, as best seen in FIG. 1 , the system is properly fixed relative to the floor opening 26 . The lower edge 28 of the body portion includes plural apertures 30 for engaging a suspended frame member 32 .

[0020] The suspended frame member 32 comprises a first continuous annular ring 34 having a like plurality of aligned apertures 36 for receiving complementary fastening members 38 to join the continuous annular ring 34 to the plural apertures 30 , thereby to fix the suspended frame member 32 relative to the body portion 20 . The suspended frame member further includes plural hanger members 40 to which is joined a motor support member 42 , where the motor support member 42 includes a base 44 ( FIG. 3 ) on which are mounted a motor 46 , as more fully discussed hereafter.

[0021] A central post 48 , connected to the grill member 14 , is suspended downwardly from the grill member, with a threaded nut 50 at its free end 52 . The central post includes a compression spring 54 , and a floating damper retention basin 56 , where the basin includes a central opening 58 of a size to allow the damper retention basin to slide upwardly and downwardly along the central post 48 . Until moved by activation of the motor 46 ( FIG. 3 ), the compression spring maintains the spaced relationship of the basin to the body portion 20 . In the resiled or relaxed position of the compression spring 54 the retention basin is generally positioned at the opening 60 between the annular ring 34 and motor support member 42 .

[0022] This represents the maximum opened position for the system and hence the maximum airflow through the diffuser system of this invention It will be apparent that as the retention basin 56 is caused to moved upward, as later discussed, the opening 60 begins to close or be reduced to control the airflow as desired. That is, the movable retention basin can reduce the vertical dimension of the opening 60 through which conditioned air is supplied to the diffuser.

[0023] Mounted within the motor support member 42 is a motor 46 , see FIGS. 3 and 4 . The motor 46 includes a generally closed housing 62 secured to a motor support frame 64 shown fully in FIG. 3 . The motor 46 preferably comprises a 24VAC electric actuator to vertically position the airflow retention basin in response to a control signal, whether transmitted by wire or wireless means. The electric actuator includes plural reversible gears 66 operable by planetary gears 68 to operate threaded push rods 70 , where the distal ends of said rods each mount a cap member 72 that abuts against the bottom surface 74 of the retention basin 56 . As the motor 46 is activated via connectors 76 to an electric source, not shown, the threaded push rods 70 push the retention basin to a more upward or closed position to control airflow as desired. A reverse operation of the motor 46 will lower the respective push rods and the stored energy of the compression spring 54 will lower the retention basin and maintain its contact with the push rod cap members 72 .

[0024] Since a feature of this invention is the ability to clean any debris/liquid from the floating retention basin without disturbance of the automatic control components or wiring, the grill member 14 , nesting on the shoulder 76 of the circular frame housing 12 , see FIG. 1 , the grill member may be lifted from contact with laterally extending flange 18 . By lifting the grill member, and the attached central post 48 , the damper retention basin 56 is easily withdrawn from the assembly. If necessary, the damper retention basin may be removed from the central post 48 by first removing the threaded nut 50 and separating the components. This allows for easy cleaning of the floating retention basin. Once the floating retention basin is slid onto the post, and the threaded nut threaded onto the post, the grill and attached components may be repositioned within the suspended frame member.

[0025] Another feature hereof is the provision of using modular connections for the wiring connections to facilitate easy field connection to control wiring.

[0026] FIG. 5 illustrates a second embodiment for the air diffuser mechanism 80 that may be used with the suspension members and motorized assembly as discussed above with regard to the first embodiment of FIGS. 1 - 4 . The air diffuser mechanism, as illustrated in FIG. 5 , comprises a first, generally circular, stationary hanging frame member 82 or skirt featuring a continuous, upper peripheral portion 86 , and a series of spaced apart, downwardly extending arms 84 defined by a like plurality of spaces or slots 88 , where the frame member 82 may form a part of the floor flange 83 , the function of which is discussed above. Cooperating with said first frame member 82 is a second movable, dust trap member 90 to control the air flow passages for air transmitted through the air distribution plenum to the area above the flange and grill 87 . The second dust trap member 90 comprises a peripheral wall 92 , where the wall includes a like plurality of upwardly extending arms 94 . The respective arms 94 are spaced apart by slots 95 , and sized to override the slots 88 of the first frame member 82 . Clearly it will be observed in FIG. 5 that as the movable dust trap member 90 moves upward to an overriding position with regard to the first frame member 82 , the air passages, i.e. slots 88 , 95 , are closed or restricted to thus control the air flowing therethrough. The second dust trap member 90 is further defined by a base 96 . Finally, a third fixed member 98 , generally circular in configuration, may be provided to receive a motor (not shown) as discussed above with regard to the first embodiment above, to effect movement of the second dust trap member 90 . For ease of further understanding, the movement supporting mechanism is illustrated in FIG. 5 , see the discussion above for details.

[0027] As an alternative to the vertical movement just described, and to provide a low profile air diffusion mechanism, the first and second members 82 , 90 may be fully closed, i.e. intermating slots with arms. In this low profile embodiment, the air passages can be changed by merely rotating the inner or second dust trap member 90 to thereby misalign the arms 94 from the slots 88 . That is, the drive of the motor may be modified to rotate the second member 90 , rather than to vertically move the second member, by means known in the art. As the rotation is continued, more or less of the air passages or spaces 88 , 95 are opened to allow control of the air flow.

[0028] It is recognized that changes, variations and modifications may be made to the automated, motorized air diffuser system of this invention, particularly by those skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. Accordingly, no limitation is intended to be imposed thereon except as set forth in the following claims.