Patent US6439328B1 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6439328B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Adjustable air vent for a vehicle
Assignee: Bombardier Recreational Products Inc
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Filing: 2000-10-13
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Granted: 2002-08-27
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Expires: 2020-10-13
Abstract
Abstract In a snowmobile or other vehicle, ventilation of ambient air to the engine compartment is necessary. However, from time to time when encountering deep snow or extremely cold temperatures, it may be necessary to restrict the inflow of ambient air into the engine compartment. An adjustable air vent having a sliding ventilation grill adjusts the air flow. The air vent has actuators for adjusting the air flow that are simple and easily manually operable by an operator even when wearing gloves or mittens without the need of any tools.
Inventors
- 👤 Claude Vaillancourt
- 👤 Ghyslain Bordeleau
- 👤 Caroline Charbonneau
- 👤 Jean-Pierre Boyer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 07:53
CPC Classifications
F; F01; F01P; F01P7/00; F01P7/02; F01P7/10; B; B60; B60K; B60K11/00; B60K11/08; B60K11/085; B62; B62J; B62J17/00; B62J17/02; B60Y; B60Y2200/00; B60Y2200/20; B60Y2200/252; Y; Y02; Y02T; Y02T10/00; Y02T10/80; Y02T10/88
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
222 words
An adjustable air vent for a vehicle, comprising: a stationary grill adapted to be mounted to the vehicle, the stationary grill having at least one air aperture and an engaging surface; and a movable grill adapted to be movably mounted with respect to the stationary grill, the movable grill having at least one air aperture and an engaging surface adapted to engage the engaging surface of the stationary grill, the movable grill movable with respect to the stationary grill from an open position where the at least one aperture of the stationary grill is aligned with the at least one aperture of the movable grill to allow air to flow therethrough to a closed position where the at least one aperture of the stationary grill is not aligned with the at least one aperture of the movable grill to reduce the flow of air through the vent; the stationary grill including a projecting closing actuator and a projecting opening actuator; the movable grill including a projecting closing actuator positioned proximate the stationary grill projecting closing actuator such that squeezing the two together moves the movable grill to the closed position; and the movable grill also including a projecting opening actuator positioned proximate the stationary grill projecting opening actuator such that squeezing the two together moves the movable grill to the open position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
222 words
An adjustable air vent for a vehicle, comprising: a stationary grill adapted to be mounted to the vehicle, the stationary grill having at least one air aperture and an engaging surface; and a movable grill adapted to be movably mounted with respect to the stationary grill, the movable grill having at least one air aperture and an engaging surface adapted to engage the engaging surface of the stationary grill, the movable grill movable with respect to the stationary grill from an open position where the at least one aperture of the stationary grill is aligned with the at least one aperture of the movable grill to allow air to flow therethrough to a closed position where the at least one aperture of the stationary grill is not aligned with the at least one aperture of the movable grill to reduce the flow of air through the vent; the stationary grill including a projecting closing actuator and a projecting opening actuator; the movable grill including a projecting closing actuator positioned proximate the stationary grill projecting closing actuator such that squeezing the two together moves the movable grill to the closed position; and the movable grill also including a projecting opening actuator positioned proximate the stationary grill projecting opening actuator such that squeezing the two together moves the movable grill to the open position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The adjustable air vent of claim 1 , further comprising: a locking mechanism for maintaining a desired position of the movable grill.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
The adjustable air vent of claim 2 , wherein the locking mechanism comprises a frictional engagement member for frictionally engaging the movable grill to maintain the desired position of the movable grill.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The adjustable air vent of claim 1 , wherein the stationary grill is part of an engine compartment hood of the vehicle.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
The adjustable air vent of claim 1 , wherein the Instationary grill and the projecting opening and closing actuators of the stationary grill are integrally molded from a plastic material.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
The adjustable air vent of claim 1 , wherein the movable grill and the projecting opening and closing actuators of the movable grill are integrally molded from a plastic material.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
The adjustable air vent of claim 1 , wherein the stationary grill includes a plurality of projecting guide posts adapted to position the movable grill and guide movement of the movable grill.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
39 words
The adjustable air vent of claim 7 , wherein the stationary grill further includes at least one fastener attached to at least one of the guide posts for engaging the movable grill to secure it to the stationary grill.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
41 words
The adjustable air vent of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the actuators of one of the stationary and movable grills is T-shaped and is positioned in a T-shaped slot in the other of the stationary and movable grills.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
The adjustable air vent of claim 1 , wherein the vehicle is a snowmobile.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
254 words
A snowmobile comprising: a motor for driving the snowmobile; an air path from an exterior of the snowmobile to the engine for providing cooling air to the engine; and an adjustable air vent mounted in the air path, the adjustable air vent comprising: a stationary grill mounted to the snowmobile, the stationary grill having at least one air aperture and an engaging surface; and a movable grill adapted to be movably mounted with respect to the stationary grill, the movable grill having at least one air aperture and an engaging surface adapted to engage the engaging surface of the stationary grill, the movable grill movable with respect to the stationary grill from an open position where the at least one aperture of the stationary grill is aligned with the at least one aperture of the movable grill to allow air to flow therethrough to a closed position where the at least one aperture of the stationary grill is not aligned with the at least one aperture of the movable grill to reduce the flow of air through the vent; the stationary grill including a projecting closing actuator and a projecting opening actuator; the movable grill including a projecting closing actuator positioned proximate the stationary grill projecting closing actuator such that squeezing the two together moves the movable grill to the closed position; and the movable grill also including a projecting opening actuator positioned proximate the stationary grill projecting opening actuator such that squeezing the two together moves the movable grill to the open position.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
254 words
A snowmobile comprising: a motor for driving the snowmobile; an air path from an exterior of the snowmobile to the engine for providing cooling air to the engine; and an adjustable air vent mounted in the air path, the adjustable air vent comprising: a stationary grill mounted to the snowmobile, the stationary grill having at least one air aperture and an engaging surface; and a movable grill adapted to be movably mounted with respect to the stationary grill, the movable grill having at least one air aperture and an engaging surface adapted to engage the engaging surface of the stationary grill, the movable grill movable with respect to the stationary grill from an open position where the at least one aperture of the stationary grill is aligned with the at least one aperture of the movable grill to allow air to flow therethrough to a closed position where the at least one aperture of the stationary grill is not aligned with the at least one aperture of the movable grill to reduce the flow of air through the vent; the stationary grill including a projecting closing actuator and a projecting opening actuator; the movable grill including a projecting closing actuator positioned proximate the stationary grill projecting closing actuator such that squeezing the two together moves the movable grill to the closed position; and the movable grill also including a projecting opening actuator positioned proximate the stationary grill projecting opening actuator such that squeezing the two together moves the movable grill to the open position.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
The snowmobile of claim 11 , further comprising: a locking mechanism for maintaining a desired position of the movable grill.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
30 words
The snowmobile of claim 12 , wherein the locking mechanism comprises a frictional engagement member for frictionally engaging the movable grill to maintain the desired position of the movable grill.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
20 words
The snowmobile of claim 11 , wherein the stationary grill is part of an engine compartment hood of the snowmobile.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
28 words
The snowmobile of claim 11 , wherein the stationary grill and the projecting opening and closing actuators of the stationary grill are integrally molded from a plastic material.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
28 words
The snowmobile of claim 11 , wherein the movable grill and the projecting opening and closing actuators of the movable grill are integrally molded from a plastic material.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
32 words
The adjustable air vent of claim 11 , wherein the stationary grill includes a plurality of projecting guide posts adapted to position the movable grill and guide movement of the movable grill.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
39 words
The adjustable air vent of claim 17 , wherein the stationary grill further includes at least one fastener attached to at least one of the guide posts for engaging the movable grill to secure it to the stationary grill.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
41 words
The adjustable air vent of claim 11 , wherein at least one of the actuators of one of the stationary and movable grills is T-shaped and is positioned in a T-shaped slot in the other of the stationary and movable grills.
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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) | 2005-08-26 | 2006-02-25 | 2006-08-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-08-26 | 2010-02-25 | 2010-08-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-08-26 | 2014-02-25 | 2014-08-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |