US3909589A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Modular heating, lighting and ventilating unit
Assignee: VENTROLA Manufacturing Co
•
Filing: 1974-01-11
•
Granted: 1975-09-30
•
Expires: 1994-01-11
Abstract
Abstract A modular ceiling ventilator has a housing module adapted to lodge in the ceiling of a room between parallel spaced ceiling members, a blower module removably mounted on the housing module and supporting a blower within the air discharge housing of the housing module, an accessory module removably mounted on the housing module for providing one of more accessory functions such as illumination and/or heating, and a grille module removably mounted on the accessory module and covering the ceiling opening within which the ventilator is contained. An electrical receptacle box is provided on the housing module and both the blower and the accessory element(s) of the accessory module terminate in electrical plugs which plug into corresponding receptacles in the receptacle box.
Inventors
- 👤 Thomas W Stone
- 👤 Stanley D Benton
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 00:53
CPC Classifications
F; F24; F24F; F24F13/00; F24F13/02; F24F13/06; F24F13/078; F21; F21V; F21V33/00; F21V33/0088; F21V33/0092; F24F7/00; F24F7/04; F24F7/06; F24H; F24H3/00; F24H3/02; F24H3/04; F24H3/0405; F24H3/0411
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 27
Claim 1
Independent Claim
415 words
A modular ceiling ventilator for a room comprising: a housing module adapted to lodge in the ceiling of a room and to fit snugly between parallel spaced ceiling members; a blower module comprising an electrical blower means operable to move air; means for removably mounting said blower module on said housing module; an accessory module comprising an accessory means operable to provide an accessory function; means for removably moUnting said accessory module on one of said first two named modules; air inlet and outlet means operable to enable air flow from the inlet means to the outlet means upon operation of said blower means; a grille module; said air outlet means being provided on the housing module and said air inlet means being provided in the grille module; means removably mounting said grille module on one of said first three named modules; said modules being arranged and constructed such that said ventilator exhausts air from the room when said blower means operates, said accessory module and said blower module being so constructed and positioned relative to each other and the housing module such that air drawn into the housing module through the air inlet means can flow through the blower module to the air outlet means; and wherein said housing module comprises a rectangular housing comprising a rectangular horizontal central wall, and four vertical side walls projecting downwardly from the edges of said horizontal central wall, one pair of diametrically opposite side walls being arranged for juxtaposition with the parallel spaced ceiling members and including openings therein via which the housing may be mounted to the ceiling members, and wherein said horizontal wall includes a centrally located opening therein and said housing module includes an air discharge enclosure above said opening, said air discharge enclosure having provided therein said air outlet means, said blower module being removably mounted on said horizontal central wall with said blower means supported within said enclosure, and wherein said accessory module comprises a central panel means disposed below said opening and a pair of spaced apart side panel means extending upwardly from said central panel means for mounting said accessory module on said central horizontal wall, and means for securing the side panel means to the central horizontal wall, said accessory module and said housing module being arranged and constructed to provide space therebetween via which air can flow around at least a portion of the periphery of said accessory module to enter said opening when said blower means operates.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
415 words
A modular ceiling ventilator for a room comprising: a housing module adapted to lodge in the ceiling of a room and to fit snugly between parallel spaced ceiling members; a blower module comprising an electrical blower means operable to move air; means for removably mounting said blower module on said housing module; an accessory module comprising an accessory means operable to provide an accessory function; means for removably moUnting said accessory module on one of said first two named modules; air inlet and outlet means operable to enable air flow from the inlet means to the outlet means upon operation of said blower means; a grille module; said air outlet means being provided on the housing module and said air inlet means being provided in the grille module; means removably mounting said grille module on one of said first three named modules; said modules being arranged and constructed such that said ventilator exhausts air from the room when said blower means operates, said accessory module and said blower module being so constructed and positioned relative to each other and the housing module such that air drawn into the housing module through the air inlet means can flow through the blower module to the air outlet means; and wherein said housing module comprises a rectangular housing comprising a rectangular horizontal central wall, and four vertical side walls projecting downwardly from the edges of said horizontal central wall, one pair of diametrically opposite side walls being arranged for juxtaposition with the parallel spaced ceiling members and including openings therein via which the housing may be mounted to the ceiling members, and wherein said horizontal wall includes a centrally located opening therein and said housing module includes an air discharge enclosure above said opening, said air discharge enclosure having provided therein said air outlet means, said blower module being removably mounted on said horizontal central wall with said blower means supported within said enclosure, and wherein said accessory module comprises a central panel means disposed below said opening and a pair of spaced apart side panel means extending upwardly from said central panel means for mounting said accessory module on said central horizontal wall, and means for securing the side panel means to the central horizontal wall, said accessory module and said housing module being arranged and constructed to provide space therebetween via which air can flow around at least a portion of the periphery of said accessory module to enter said opening when said blower means operates.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
83 words
A modular ceiling ventilator as claimed in claim 1 wherein said side panel means includes a plurality of mounting flange means thereon, and means defining an opening in each said mounting flange means, said means for removably mounting said accessory module on said housing module comprising a plurality of fastening means on said central horizontal wall, each said fastening means passing through a corresponding one of said mounting flange means openings and securing the corresponding mounting flange means to said central horizontal wall.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
149 words
A modular ceiling ventilator as claimed in claim 2 wherein at least one of said fastening means comprises a headed fastener and the corresponding one of said mounting flange means openings has an enlarged portion larger than the head of said one fastener and a reduced portion larger than the shank of said one fastener but smaller than the head of said one fastener whereby when said accessory module is being assembled to said housing module the enlarged portion of said one mounting flange means opening may be passed over the head of said one fastener and the accessory module then positioned to bring the shank of the fastener into the reduced portion of said one mounting flange means opening with the head of said one fastener supporting the corresponding mounting flange means so as to thus provide support of the accessory module on the housing module during assembly.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
A modular ceiling ventilator as claimed in claim 3 wherein said accessory module is of generally rectangular shape and is bounded horizontally by said side walls of said housing.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
A modular ceiling ventilator as claimed in claim 3 wherein said accessory means mounts on at least one of said side panel means of said accessory module.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
A modular ceiling ventilator as claimed in claim 5 wherein said accesSory means is a quartz tube heater element extending between said side panel means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
A modular ceiling ventilator as claimed in claim 5 wherein said accessory means is a lamp mounted on one of said side panel means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
315 words
A modular ceiling ventilator for a room comprising: a housing module adapted to lodge in the ceiling of a room and to fit snugly between parallel spaced ceiling members; a blower module comprising an electrical blower means operable to move air; means for removably mounting said blower module on said housing module; an accessory module comprising an accessory means operable to provide an accessory function; means for removably mounting said accessory module on one of said first two named modules; air inlet and outlet means operable to enable air flow from the inlet means to the outlet means upon operation of said blower means; a grille module; said air outlet means being provided on the housing module and said air inlet means being provided in the grille module; and means removably mounting said grille module on one of said first three named modules; said modules being arranged and constructed such that said ventilator exhausts air from the room when said blower means operates, said accessory module and said blower module being so constructed and positioned relative to each other and the housing module such that air drawn into the housing module through the air inlet means can flow through the blower module to the air outlet means; and wherein said housing module comprises a rectangular housing comprising a rectangular horizontal central wall and four vertical side walls projecting downwardly from the edges of said horizontal central wall, one pair of diametrically opposite side walls being arranged for juxtaposition with the parallel spaced ceiling members and including openings therein via which the housing may be mounted to the ceiling members, wherein said accessory module comprises central, downwardly concave panel means and spaced apart side panel means projecting upwardly of said central panel means for mounting said accessory module on said central horizontal wall and means for securing the side panel means to the central horizontal wall.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
315 words
A modular ceiling ventilator for a room comprising: a housing module adapted to lodge in the ceiling of a room and to fit snugly between parallel spaced ceiling members; a blower module comprising an electrical blower means operable to move air; means for removably mounting said blower module on said housing module; an accessory module comprising an accessory means operable to provide an accessory function; means for removably mounting said accessory module on one of said first two named modules; air inlet and outlet means operable to enable air flow from the inlet means to the outlet means upon operation of said blower means; a grille module; said air outlet means being provided on the housing module and said air inlet means being provided in the grille module; and means removably mounting said grille module on one of said first three named modules; said modules being arranged and constructed such that said ventilator exhausts air from the room when said blower means operates, said accessory module and said blower module being so constructed and positioned relative to each other and the housing module such that air drawn into the housing module through the air inlet means can flow through the blower module to the air outlet means; and wherein said housing module comprises a rectangular housing comprising a rectangular horizontal central wall and four vertical side walls projecting downwardly from the edges of said horizontal central wall, one pair of diametrically opposite side walls being arranged for juxtaposition with the parallel spaced ceiling members and including openings therein via which the housing may be mounted to the ceiling members, wherein said accessory module comprises central, downwardly concave panel means and spaced apart side panel means projecting upwardly of said central panel means for mounting said accessory module on said central horizontal wall and means for securing the side panel means to the central horizontal wall.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
31 words
A modular ceiling ventilator as claimed in claim 8 wherein said accessory means mounts on said side panel means and is disposed between said central panel means and said grille module.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
33 words
A modular ceiling ventilator as claimed in claim 8 wherein said side panel means comprises a plurality of mounting flange means thereon via which said accessory module mounts to said central horizontal wall.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
79 words
A modular ceiling ventilator as claimed in claim 10 wherein each said mounting flange means comprises means defining an opening therein, said means for removably mounting said accessory module on one of said first two named modules comprising a plurality of fastening means on said horizontal central wall registering with each mounting flange means opening, each said fastening means passing through the registering mounting flange means opening and securing the corresponding mounting flange means to said horizontal central wall.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
101 words
A modular ceiling ventilator as claimed in claim 11 wherein each said fastening means comprises a headed fastener and each said mounting flange means opening has an enlarged portion larger than the head of the corresponding fastener and a reduced portion larger than the shank of the corresponding fastener whereby the mounting flange means can mount to said horizontal central wall by passing the head of each fastener through the enlarged portion of each mounting flange means opening and then positioning the accessory module to bring the reduced portion of each mounting flange means opening into the shank of each fastener.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
72 words
A modular ceiling ventilator as claimed in claim 12 wherein the enlarged portion of each said mounting flange means opening is in the form of a circular hole larger than the head of the corresponding fastener and the reduced portion of eaCh said mounting flange means opening comprises at least one radially extending slot extending radially outwardly from the corresponding circular hole, all said radially extending slots being parallel with each other.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
25 words
A modular ceiling ventilator as claimed in claim 13 wherein said mounting flange means openings and the corresponding fasteners are arranged in matching rectangular patterns.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
61 words
A modular ceiling ventilator as claimed in claim 8 wherein said central concave panel means comprises a plurality of three parallel spaced concave panels, said accessory means comprising a heater element disposed between the central one of said concave panels and said grille module, said ventilator further including additional accessory elements between the other two concave panels and said grille module.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
22 words
A modular ceiling ventilator as claimed in claim 15 wherein said additional accessory elements comprise lamps mounted on said side panel means.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
23 words
A modular ceiling ventilator as claimed in claim 16 wherein said lamps have their axes horizontal and said heater element is also horizontal.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
54 words
A modular ceiling ventilator as claimed in claim 8 wherein said central concave panel means comprises at least one downwardly concave reflecting surface and said accessory means comprises a plurality of incandescent lamps mounted horizontally on said side panel means, each of said lamps being disposed between said reflecting surface and said grille module.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
266 words
A modular ceiling ventilator for the ceiling of a room comprising: a housing module adapted to mount in the ceiling of a room comprising a housing having a horizontal central wall provided with an opening therein; an air discharge enclosure on said horizontal central wall over said opening and vertical side wall means extending downwardly from the periphery of said horizontal central wall via which said housing module mounts in the ceiling; a blower module comprising an electrical blower means operable to move air removably mounted on said horizontal central wall with said blower means supported within said enclosure; an accessory module comprising a central panel means below said opening and vertical side panel means extending upwardly from said central panel means to said horizontal central wall; and wherein said accessory module includes quartz tube heater element and a lamp and means for energizing said heater element and lamp, means for removably mounting said accessory module on said horizontal central wall; air inlet and outlet means operable to enable air flow from the inlet to the outlet upon operation of said blower means; and a grille module removably mounted on and covering said accessory module, said air outlet means being provided on the housing module and said air inlet means being provided in the grille module, and said accessory module and said blower module being so constructed and positioned relative to each other and the housing module such that air drawn into the housing module through the air inlet means can flow through the blower module to the air outlet means has been inserted after ''''module''''.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
266 words
A modular ceiling ventilator for the ceiling of a room comprising: a housing module adapted to mount in the ceiling of a room comprising a housing having a horizontal central wall provided with an opening therein; an air discharge enclosure on said horizontal central wall over said opening and vertical side wall means extending downwardly from the periphery of said horizontal central wall via which said housing module mounts in the ceiling; a blower module comprising an electrical blower means operable to move air removably mounted on said horizontal central wall with said blower means supported within said enclosure; an accessory module comprising a central panel means below said opening and vertical side panel means extending upwardly from said central panel means to said horizontal central wall; and wherein said accessory module includes quartz tube heater element and a lamp and means for energizing said heater element and lamp, means for removably mounting said accessory module on said horizontal central wall; air inlet and outlet means operable to enable air flow from the inlet to the outlet upon operation of said blower means; and a grille module removably mounted on and covering said accessory module, said air outlet means being provided on the housing module and said air inlet means being provided in the grille module, and said accessory module and said blower module being so constructed and positioned relative to each other and the housing module such that air drawn into the housing module through the air inlet means can flow through the blower module to the air outlet means has been inserted after ''''module''''.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
50 words
A modular ceiling ventilator as claimed in claim 19 wherein said vertical side wall means includes a pair of spaced parallel vertical side walls for respective juxtaposition with respective parallel spaced ceiling members, said side walls including openings therein via which said housing may be mounted to the ceiling members.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
37 words
A modular ceiling ventilator as claimed in claim 19 wherein said accessory module comprises said heater element and lamp mounted on said vertical side panel means and disposed between said central panel means and said grille module.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
38 words
A modular ceiling ventilator as claimed in claim 19 including an electrical receptacle means on said central wall, said blower means and said heater element and lamp terminating in plug means which plug into said electrical receptacle means.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
51 words
A modular ceiling ventilator as claimed in claim 19 wherein said horizoNtal central wall and said vertical side wall means form a compartment which is relatively shallow in comparison to its length and breadth and wherein an appreciable vertical portion of said accessory module is contained within the compartment thus defined.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
23 words
A modular ceiling ventilator as claimed in claim 23 wherein the compartment thus defined is disposed above the room surface of the ceiling.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2697163A
Cited
US2870319A
Cited
US2875316A
Cited
US3001056A
Cited
US3097287A
Cited
US3028475A
Cited
US3068341A
Cited
US3320406A
Cited
US3309502A
Cited
US3692977A
Cited
US3785271A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-09-29 | 1979-03-31 | 1979-09-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-09-29 | 1983-03-31 | 1983-09-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-09-29 | 1987-03-31 | 1987-09-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |