US4413551A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Ventilator grill
Assignee: Ford Motor Co
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Filing: 1981-11-02
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Granted: 1983-11-08
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Expires: 2001-11-02
Abstract
Abstract A ventilator grill for a motor vehicle interior comprises a front plate fixed to a fascia panel parallel rear plate movable relative thereto and connected to a ventilation hose. The front and rear plates define two arrays of apertures and are spaced apart by a set of tubes, the ends of which are pivotable in the apertures. The back plate may be moved by a control knob projecting through an aperture in the front plate so that the direction of the air stream from the grill can be varied.
Inventors
- 👤 Alan S. Jackson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 14:04
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60H; B60H1/00; B60H1/34; B60H1/3414; F; F24; F24F; F24F13/00; F24F13/02; F24F13/06; B60H2001/3471; B60H2001/3478
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
98 words
A ventilator grill comprising a front plate defining an array of apertures characterized by a back plate disposed in a parallel relationship with the front plate, and also defining an array of apertures, a plurality of adjacent aligned tubes, each end of which registers with a respective aperture in each of the plates to conduct air therebetween, and means for moving one of the plates relative to the other while retaining their parallel disposition, the ends of each tube being pivotable relative to the aperture with which it registers in free sliding engagement with the peripheral surface thereof.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
98 words
A ventilator grill comprising a front plate defining an array of apertures characterized by a back plate disposed in a parallel relationship with the front plate, and also defining an array of apertures, a plurality of adjacent aligned tubes, each end of which registers with a respective aperture in each of the plates to conduct air therebetween, and means for moving one of the plates relative to the other while retaining their parallel disposition, the ends of each tube being pivotable relative to the aperture with which it registers in free sliding engagement with the peripheral surface thereof.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
A grill according to claim 1, wherein the ends of each tube are universally pivotable.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
A grill according to claim 2, wherein the ends of each tube each include an arcuate bearing surface.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
A grill according to claim 3, wherein the said bearing surface is hemispherical.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
A grill according to claim 3, wherein the end of each tube includes partitions which extend radially across the tube and the terminal edges of which lie in the arcuate surface.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
A grill according to claim 5, comprising biasing means urging the two plates toward each other.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
A grill according to claim 6, further comprising means interconnecting the tubes to retain the tubes in alignment.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
A grill according to claim 7, wherein the means interconnecting the tubes combines a body of resilient deformable material through which the tubes extend.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
A grill according to claim 7, wherein the means interconnecting the tubes comprises a plurality of hinges connecting each tube to neighboring tubes.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
40 words
A grill according to claim 8, wherein the plates are movable by a control member disposed in alignment with the tubes and pivotally engaged, attached at each end with both plates and extending through an aperture in the front plate.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
A grill according to claim 1, wherein the ends of each tube each include an arcuate bearing surface.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
A grill according to claim 1, comprising biasing means urging the two plates toward each other.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
18 words
A grill according to claim 1, further comprising means interconnecting the tubes to retain the tubes in alignment.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1986-11-07 | 1987-05-09 | 1987-11-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-11-07 | 1991-05-09 | 1991-11-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-11-07 | 1995-05-09 | 1995-11-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |