US5772713A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Adjustable filter assembly
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1996-05-30
•
Granted: 1998-06-30
•
Expires: 2016-05-30
Abstract
Abstract An adjustable filter assembly for a variety of filtration applications. The adjustable filter assembly includes a fixed-size filter medium and frame and an adjustable molding for adjustably applying said filter assembly in applications having widely varying dimensions. The filter assembly can take a variety of shapes and sizes so that any vent may be adequately fitted and filtered. The adjustability of the assembly is accomplished by the molding having at least one adjustable joint enabling the molding to be continuously adjusted from an unextended position through to a fully extended position. In the unextended position, the outside edge of the molding coincides with the perimeter of the filter media and the inner edge of the molding defines a minimum exposed area for the filter medium. In the fully extended position, the inner edge of the molding coincides with the perimeter of the filter media and the outside edge of the molding extends outwardly significantly beyond the perimeter of the filter media.
Inventors
- 👤 Irma C. Salinas
- 👤 Kenyon D. Potter
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 18:56
CPC Classifications
B; B01; B01D; B01D46/00; B01D46/0002; B01D46/10; B01D2275/00; B01D2275/20; B01D2275/203; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S55/00; Y10S55/31
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
224 words
An adjustable filter assembly comprising: a filter medium having a peripheral edge wherein said filter medium has a pre-defined size; a frame encircling said peripheral edge, said frame having an inner edge and an outer edge; an adjustable molding capable of being extended in at least one dimension wherein said adjustable molding is a continuous structure comprising: a plurality of straight pieces; and a plurality of corner pieces having two diverging legs wherein said straight and said corner pieces are alternately connected to form a continuous structure, each of said legs comprises a flat face; an inner wall; and an outer wall; a flange connected to said outer wall and disposed in substantially perpendicular relation to said outer wall; and a connecting means for attaching said adjustable molding to said frame; wherein at least one of said legs of said corner pieces has a tracking means for telescopingly engaging and retaining said straight pieces; wherein said outer wall is coincident with or extends outwardly beyond said outer edge of said frame when said molding is in an unextended position and said inner wall is inward of said inner edge of said frame, whereby at least a portion of said molding overlaps said frame, and said outer wall extends outward beyond said outer edge of said frame when said molding is in an extended position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
224 words
An adjustable filter assembly comprising: a filter medium having a peripheral edge wherein said filter medium has a pre-defined size; a frame encircling said peripheral edge, said frame having an inner edge and an outer edge; an adjustable molding capable of being extended in at least one dimension wherein said adjustable molding is a continuous structure comprising: a plurality of straight pieces; and a plurality of corner pieces having two diverging legs wherein said straight and said corner pieces are alternately connected to form a continuous structure, each of said legs comprises a flat face; an inner wall; and an outer wall; a flange connected to said outer wall and disposed in substantially perpendicular relation to said outer wall; and a connecting means for attaching said adjustable molding to said frame; wherein at least one of said legs of said corner pieces has a tracking means for telescopingly engaging and retaining said straight pieces; wherein said outer wall is coincident with or extends outwardly beyond said outer edge of said frame when said molding is in an unextended position and said inner wall is inward of said inner edge of said frame, whereby at least a portion of said molding overlaps said frame, and said outer wall extends outward beyond said outer edge of said frame when said molding is in an extended position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
57 words
The assembly of claim 1 wherein said connecting means comprises at least one slot in said straight piece of said adjustable molding, at least one hole in said frame, and at least one post for insertion through said slot and said hole to retentively engage said frame wherein said adjustable molding is slidably attached to said frame.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
The assembly of claim 1 wherein said molding additionally comprises at least one stop for retaining said frame within said inner wall and said outer wall of said corner piece, said stop comprising a portion of said inner wall.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The assembly of claim 1 wherein said filter medium is substantially planar and said molding is substantially planar.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The assembly of claim 1 wherein said flat face of said molding is a substantially continuous surface joining said inner wall and said outer wall.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
The assembly of claim 1 wherein said molding is a substantially continuous polygonal shaped structure.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
The assembly of claim 1 wherein said molding has a plurality of articulated joints, said joints being a part of said corner pieces and said joints connecting said legs of said corner pieces.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
The assembly of claim 1 wherein said frame additionally comprises at least one structural element for supporting said medium.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
The assembly of claim 1 wherein said filter medium is capable of passing a first substance and not passing a second substance.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
13 words
The assembly of claim 1 wherein said filter medium is an air filter.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
13 words
The assembly of claim 1 wherein said filter medium is a fluid filter.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
13 words
The assembly of claim 1 wherein said filter medium is a light filter.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
230 words
An adjustable filter assembly comprising: a filter medium having a peripheral edge wherein said filter medium has a pre-defined size; a frame encircling said peripheral edge, said frame having an inner edge and an outer edge; an adjustable molding capable of being extended in at least one dimension wherein said molding is a continuous structure comprising a plurality of corner pieces having two diverging legs, one of said legs having a male end and the other of said legs having a female end comprising a flat face; an inner wall; and an outer wall; and a connecting means for attaching said adjustable molding to said frame; a flange connected to said outer wall of at least one corner piece and disposed in substantially perpendicular relation to said outer wall; wherein said female end of said molding has a tracking means for telescopingly engaging and retaining said male end wherein said corner pieces are serially connected to form a continuous structure; wherein said outer wall is coincident with or extends outwardly beyond said outer edge of said frame when said molding is in an unextended position and said inner wall is inward of said inner edge of said frame, whereby at least a portion of said molding overlaps said frame, and said outer edge extends outward beyond said outer edge of said frame when said molding is in an extended position.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
230 words
An adjustable filter assembly comprising: a filter medium having a peripheral edge wherein said filter medium has a pre-defined size; a frame encircling said peripheral edge, said frame having an inner edge and an outer edge; an adjustable molding capable of being extended in at least one dimension wherein said molding is a continuous structure comprising a plurality of corner pieces having two diverging legs, one of said legs having a male end and the other of said legs having a female end comprising a flat face; an inner wall; and an outer wall; and a connecting means for attaching said adjustable molding to said frame; a flange connected to said outer wall of at least one corner piece and disposed in substantially perpendicular relation to said outer wall; wherein said female end of said molding has a tracking means for telescopingly engaging and retaining said male end wherein said corner pieces are serially connected to form a continuous structure; wherein said outer wall is coincident with or extends outwardly beyond said outer edge of said frame when said molding is in an unextended position and said inner wall is inward of said inner edge of said frame, whereby at least a portion of said molding overlaps said frame, and said outer edge extends outward beyond said outer edge of said frame when said molding is in an extended position.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
19 words
The assembly of claim 13 wherein said frame additionally comprises at least one structural element for supporting said medium.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
22 words
The assembly of claim 13 wherein said filter medium is capable of passing a first substance and not passing a second substance.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
153 words
An adjustable filter assembly comprising: a circular filter medium having a peripheral edge wherein said medium has a pre-defined size; a frame encircling said peripheral edge, said frame having an inner and an outer edge; an adjustable continuous molding substantially formed from a single piece of material comprising an inner edge which defines the exposed area of said filter medium; an outer wall which defines the perimeter; and at least one telescoping joint; and a flange connected to said outer wall and disposed in substantially perpendicular relation to said outer wall; and a connecting means for attaching said adjustable molding to said frame; wherein said outer wall of said adjustable molding coincides with said outer edge of said frame when said adjustable molding is in an unextended position and said inner edge of said adjustable molding coincides with said inner edge of said frame when said adjustable molding is in an extended position.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
153 words
An adjustable filter assembly comprising: a circular filter medium having a peripheral edge wherein said medium has a pre-defined size; a frame encircling said peripheral edge, said frame having an inner and an outer edge; an adjustable continuous molding substantially formed from a single piece of material comprising an inner edge which defines the exposed area of said filter medium; an outer wall which defines the perimeter; and at least one telescoping joint; and a flange connected to said outer wall and disposed in substantially perpendicular relation to said outer wall; and a connecting means for attaching said adjustable molding to said frame; wherein said outer wall of said adjustable molding coincides with said outer edge of said frame when said adjustable molding is in an unextended position and said inner edge of said adjustable molding coincides with said inner edge of said frame when said adjustable molding is in an extended position.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
42 words
The assembly of claim 16 wherein said connecting means comprises at least one slot in said molding, one hole in said frame, and one post for insertion through said slot and said hole wherein said molding is slidably affixed to said frame.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
38 words
The assembly of claim 16 wherein said telescoping joint is formed by overlapping a first end of said molding with a second end of said molding and comprises retainer means for maintaining the alignment of said overlapping ends.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
19 words
The assembly of claim 16 wherein said frame additionally comprises at least one structural element for supporting said medium.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
22 words
The assembly of claim 16 wherein said filter medium is capable of passing a first substance and not passing a second substance.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2001-06-29 | 2001-12-29 | 2002-06-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-06-29 | 2005-12-29 | 2006-06-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-06-29 | 2009-12-29 | 2010-06-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |