Filter

Claim 2

A filter, comprising: a four-sided frame having a central aperture therein; four side walls, each side wall being pivotally mounted to one side of the frame and movable between a use position wherein each side wall is substantially perpendicular to the frame, and a storage position wherein each side wall is substantially parallel to the frame; and a filter member attached to the frame and extending across the central aperture.

Claim 3

The filter as defined in claim 1 wherein the frame has an outer periphery, and wherein the filter further comprises a recess integral with, and extending about the outer periphery of the frame, wherein, upon pivoting of each of the side walls to the storage position, the recess receives an adjacent side wall portion in proximity with the frame.

Claim 4

The filter as defined in claim 1, further comprising rib means, mounted to the frame and extending across the central aperture, for supporting the filter member.

Claim 5

The filter as defined in claim 1 wherein each side wall is pivotally mounted to one side of the frame by a living hinge.

Claim 6

The filter as defined in claim 2, further comprising means for releasably locking the filter into the storage position.

Claim 7

The filter as defined in claim 5 wherein the recess has a side wall, and wherein the releasable locking means comprises: a groove defined in the recess side wall and terminating at one end in a shoulder portion; and a projection extending outwardly from the adjacent side wall portion and defining an interference surface such that, upon pivotal movement of each side wall, the interference surface yieldably slides across the shoulder portion to frictionally resist pivotal movement of the side wall through at least an intermediate portion of its movement between the use and storage positions, until in the storage position, the projection is snap fit into the groove.

Claim 8

The filter as defined in claim 1 wherein the frame and side walls are formed of a polymeric material.

Claim 9

The filter as defined in claim 1 wherein the frame and side walls are formed of a first polymeric material, and wherein the filter member is formed of a second polymeric material.

Claim 10

The filter as defined in claim 8 wherein the frame, side walls and filter member are integrally molded.

Claim 11

The filter as defined in claim 2 wherein each of the adjacent side wall portions has two ends, each end terminating at about a 45° angle, such that, in the storage position, the side wall portion ends form a mitered joint.

Claim 12

The filter as defined in claim 1, further comprising means for releasably locking the filter into the storage position.

Claim 13

The filter as defined in claim 11 wherein the releasable locking means comprises: a plurality of projections spacedly disposed on, and extending outwardly and downwardly from the frame; an angular recess portion defined in each of the projections; and an adjacent side wall portion in proximity with the frame, the adjacent side wall portion terminating in a curvilinear end portion defining an interference surface such that, upon pivotal movement of each side wall, the interference surface yieldably slides across the angular recess portion to frictionally resist pivotal movement of the side wall through at least an intermediate portion of its movement between the use and storage positions, until in the storage position, the curvilinear end portion of the adjacent side wall portion is snap fit into the angular recess.

Claim 14

The filter as defined in claim 12 wherein each side wall is pivotally mounted to one side of the frame by a living hinge.

Claim 15

A filter, comprising: a four-sided frame formed of a first polymeric material, having a central aperture therein and having an outer periphery; four side walls formed of the first polymeric material, each side wall being pivotally mounted to one side of the frame and movable between a use position wherein each side wall is substantially perpendicular to the frame, and a storage position wherein each side wall is substantially parallel to the frame; a filter member formed of a second polymeric material, the filter member attached to the frame and extending across the central aperture, the frame, side walls and filter member being integrally molded; rib means, mounted to the frame and extending across the central aperture, for supporting the filter member; a recess integral with, and extending about the outer periphery of the frame, wherein, upon pivoting of each of the side walls to the storage position, the recess receives an adjacent side wall portion in proximity with the frame; a side wall on the recess; means for releasably locking the filter into the storage position, wherein the releasable locking means comprises: a groove defined in the recess side wall and terminating at one end in a shoulder portion; and a projection extending outwardly from the adjacent side wall portion and defining an interference surface such that, upon pivotal movement of each side wall, the interference surface yieldably slides across the shoulder portion to frictionally resist pivotal movement of the side wall through at least an intermediate portion of its movement between the use and storage positions, until in the storage position, the projection is snap fit into the groove; and two ends defined on each of the adjacent side wall portions, each end terminating at about a 45° angle, such that, in the storage position, the side wall portion ends form a mitered joint.

Claim 16

A filter, comprising: a four-sided frame formed of a first polymeric material, having a central aperture therein and having an outer periphery; four side walls formed of the first polymeric material, each side wall being pivotally mounted to one side of the frame and movable between a use position wherein each side wall is substantially perpendicular to the frame, and a storage position wherein each side wall is substantially parallel to the frame; a filter member formed of a second polymeric material, the filter member attached to the frame and extending across the central aperture, the frame, side walls and filter member being integrally molded; rib means, mounted to the frame and extending across the central aperture, for supporting the filter member; a recess integral with, and extending about the outer periphery of the frame, wherein, upon pivoting of each of the side walls to the storage position, the recess receives an adjacent side wall portion in proximity with the frame; a side wall on the recess; means for releasably locking the filter into the storage position, wherein the releasable locking means comprises: a groove defined in the recess side wall and terminating at one end in a shoulder portion; and a projection extending outwardly from the adjacent side wall portion and defining an interference surface such that, upon pivotal movement of each side wall, the interference surface yieldably slides across the shoulder portion to frictionally resist pivotal movement of the side wall through at least an intermediate portion of its movement between the use and storage positions, until in the storage position, the projection is snap fit into the groove; and two ends defined on each of the adjacent side wall portions, each end terminating at about a 45° angle, such that, in the storage position, the side wall portion ends form a mitered joint.

Claim 17

A filter, comprising: a four-sided frame formed of a first polymeric material, having a central aperture therein; four side walls formed of the first polymeric material, each side wall being pivotally mounted to one side of the frame and movable between a use position wherein each side wall is substantially perpendicular to the frame, and a storage position wherein each side wall is substantially parallel to the frame; a filter member formed of a second polymeric material, the filter member attached to the frame and extending across the central aperture, the frame, side walls and filter member being integrally molded; rib means, mounted to the frame and extending across the central aperture, for supporting the filter member; and means for releasably locking the filter into the storage position, wherein the releasable locking means comprises: a plurality of projections spacedly disposed on, and extending outwardly and downwardly from the frame; an angular recess portion defined in each of the projections; and an adjacent side wall portion in proximity with the frame, the adjacent side wall portion terminating in a curvilinear end portion defining an interference surface such that, upon pivotal movement of each side wall, the interference surface yieldably slides across the angular recess portion to frictionally resist pivotal movement of the side wall through at least an intermediate portion of its movement between the use and storage positions, until in the storage position, the curvilinear end portion of the adjacent side wall portion is snap fit into the angular recess.

Claim 18

A filter, comprising: a four-sided frame formed of a first polymeric material, having a central aperture therein; four side walls formed of the first polymeric material, each side wall being pivotally mounted to one side of the frame and movable between a use position wherein each side wall is substantially perpendicular to the frame, and a storage position wherein each side wall is substantially parallel to the frame; a filter member formed of a second polymeric material, the filter member attached to the frame and extending across the central aperture, the frame, side walls and filter member being integrally molded; rib means, mounted to the frame and extending across the central aperture, for supporting the filter member; and means for releasably locking the filter into the storage position, wherein the releasable locking means comprises: a plurality of projections spacedly disposed on, and extending outwardly and downwardly from the frame; an angular recess portion defined in each of the projections; and an adjacent side wall portion in proximity with the frame, the adjacent side wall portion terminating in a curvilinear end portion defining an interference surface such that, upon pivotal movement of each side wall, the interference surface yieldably slides across the angular recess portion to frictionally resist pivotal movement of the side wall through at least an intermediate portion of its movement between the use and storage positions, until in the storage position, the curvilinear end portion of the adjacent side wall portion is snap fit into the angular recess.

Claim 19

The filter as defined in claim 15 wherein each side wall is pivotally mounted to one side of the frame by a living hinge.

Claim 20

A furnace filter, comprising: a four-sided frame formed of a first polymeric material, having a central aperture therein; four side walls formed of the first polymeric material, each side wall being pivotally mounted to one side of the frame and movable between a use position wherein each side wall is substantially perpendicular to the frame, and a storage position wherein each side wall is substantially parallel to the frame; a living hinge pivotally mounting each side wall to one side of the frame; a filter member formed of a second polymeric material, the filter member attached to the frame and extending across the central aperture, the frame, side walls and filter member being integrally molded; rib means, mounted to the frame and extending across the central aperture, for supporting the filter member; and means for releasably locking the filter into the storage position, wherein the releasable locking means comprises: a plurality of projections spacedly disposed on, and extending outwardly and downwardly from the frame; an angular recess portion defined in each of the projections; and an adjacent side wall portion in proximity with the frame, the adjacent side wall portion terminating in a curvilinear end portion defining an interference surface such that, upon pivotal movement of each side wall, the interference surface yieldably slides across the angular recess portion to frictionally resist pivotal movement of the side wall through at least an intermediate portion of its movement between the use and storage positions, until in the storage position, the curvilinear end portion of the adjacent side wall portion is snap fit into the angular recess.

Claim 21

A furnace filter, comprising: a four-sided frame formed of a first polymeric material, having a central aperture therein; four side walls formed of the first polymeric material, each side wall being pivotally mounted to one side of the frame and movable between a use position wherein each side wall is substantially perpendicular to the frame, and a storage position wherein each side wall is substantially parallel to the frame; a living hinge pivotally mounting each side wall to one side of the frame; a filter member formed of a second polymeric material, the filter member attached to the frame and extending across the central aperture, the frame, side walls and filter member being integrally molded; rib means, mounted to the frame and extending across the central aperture, for supporting the filter member; and means for releasably locking the filter into the storage position, wherein the releasable locking means comprises: a plurality of projections spacedly disposed on, and extending outwardly and downwardly from the frame; an angular recess portion defined in each of the projections; and an adjacent side wall portion in proximity with the frame, the adjacent side wall portion terminating in a curvilinear end portion defining an interference surface such that, upon pivotal movement of each side wall, the interference surface yieldably slides across the angular recess portion to frictionally resist pivotal movement of the side wall through at least an intermediate portion of its movement between the use and storage positions, until in the storage position, the curvilinear end portion of the adjacent side wall portion is snap fit into the angular recess.

Claim 22

A filter, comprising: a four-sided frame having a central aperture therein; four side walls, each side wall being pivotally mounted to one side of the frame and movable between a use position wherein each side wall is substantially perpendicular to the frame, and a nesting position wherein each side wall is angularly, outwardly offset from the frame; and a filter member attached to the frame and extending across the central aperture.

Claim 23

A filter, comprising: a four-sided frame having a central aperture therein; four side walls, each side wall being pivotally mounted to one side of the frame and movable between a use position wherein each side wall is substantially perpendicular to the frame, and a nesting position wherein each side wall is angularly, outwardly offset from the frame; and a filter member attached to the frame and extending across the central aperture.

Claim 24

The filter as defined in claim 18, further comprising means for releasably locking the filter into the use position.

Claim 25

The filter as defined in claim 19 wherein the releasable locking means comprises: a notch defined in one of each side of the frame and each of the side walls; and a latch defined in the other of each side of the frame and each of the side walls; wherein, upon pivoting of each side wall into the use position, the latch will be releasably secured within the notch.

Claim 26

The filter as defined in claim 20 wherein the notch is defined in each side of the frame, and the latch is defined in each of the side walls.

Claim 27

The filter as defined in claim 18 wherein the frame and side walls are formed of a polymeric material.

Claim 28

The filter as defined in claim 18 wherein the frame and side walls are formed of a first polymeric material, and wherein the filter member is formed of a second polymeric material.

Claim 29

The filter as defined in claim 23 wherein the frame, side walls and filter member are integrally molded.

Claim 30

A filter, comprising: a four-sided frame formed of a first polymeric material and having a central aperture therein; four side walls formed of the first polymeric material, each side wall being pivotally mounted to one side of the frame and movable between a use position wherein each side wall is substantially perpendicular to the frame, and a nesting position wherein each side wall is angularly, outwardly offset from the frame; a filter member formed of a second polymeric material and attached to the frame and extending across the central aperture, the frame, side walls and filter member being integrally molded; and means for releasably locking the filter into the use position, wherein the releasable locking means comprises: a notch defined in each side of the frame; and a latch defined in each of the side walls; wherein, upon pivoting of each side wall into the use position, the latch will be removably secured within the notch.

Claim 31

A filter, comprising: a four-sided frame formed of a first polymeric material and having a central aperture therein; four side walls formed of the first polymeric material, each side wall being pivotally mounted to one side of the frame and movable between a use position wherein each side wall is substantially perpendicular to the frame, and a nesting position wherein each side wall is angularly, outwardly offset from the frame; a filter member formed of a second polymeric material and attached to the frame and extending across the central aperture, the frame, side walls and filter member being integrally molded; and means for releasably locking the filter into the use position, wherein the releasable locking means comprises: a notch defined in each side of the frame; and a latch defined in each of the side walls; wherein, upon pivoting of each side wall into the use position, the latch will be removably secured within the notch.