Flush-mount fan grille

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12228149-B2
Application number	US-202117349199-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jun 16, 2021
Priority date	Jul 2, 2020
Publication date	Feb 18, 2025
Grant date	Feb 18, 2025

Abstract

A flush-mounted, in-ceiling exhaust fan grille for attachment to an exhaust fan housing includes a planar integration flange forming a perimeter of the grille. The integration flange includes a plurality of through holes along the perimeter. An insert may be configured for insertion within the perimeter of the integration flange. A light module may be configured to join within a central portion of the insert while maintaining an opening between an entirety of the light module and the insert. At least one spring may be attached to the insert on a first end and attached to the fan housing on a second end, wherein the at least one spring applies a force drawing the insert towards the fan housing. An exhaust fan may be provided to draw air into the fan housing through the opening between the light module and the insert to be exhausted for proper ventilation.

First claim

We claim:

1. A flush-mounted, in-ceiling exhaust fan grille for attachment to an exhaust fan housing comprising:
a planar integration flange forming a perimeter of the grille, the integration flange defining a plurality of through holes along the perimeter;
an insert configured for insertion within the perimeter of the integration flange;
a light module configured to join within a central portion of the insert while maintaining an opening between an entirety of the light module and the insert; and
wherein an exhaust fan draws air into the fan housing through the opening between the light module and the insert.

2. The flush-mounted, in-ceiling exhaust fan grille for attachment to an exhaust fan housing according to claim 1 , further comprising a trim ring for attachment to the light module.

3. The flush-mounted, in-ceiling exhaust fan grille for attachment to an exhaust fan housing according to claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of receivers in the insert configured to accept and attach to the light module.

4. The flush-mounted, in-ceiling exhaust fan grille for attachment to an exhaust fan housing according to claim 1 , wherein the plurality of through holes along the perimeter of the integration flange are configured for attachment to a wall board with a wall board compound spread about the integration flange and into the through holes.

5. The flush-mounted, in-ceiling exhaust fan grille for attachment to an exhaust fan housing according to claim 1 , further comprising at least one spring attached to the insert on a first end and attached to the fan housing on a second end, wherein the at least one spring applies a force drawing the insert towards the fan housing.

6. The flush-mounted, in-ceiling exhaust fan grille for attachment to an exhaust fan housing according to claim 5 , wherein the at least one spring includes a first extension spring and a second extension spring.

7. The flush-mounted, in-ceiling exhaust fan grille for attachment to an exhaust fan housing according to claim 1 , wherein the insert is cylindrical and maintains the opening between the light module and insert in a uniformly circular shape around a face of the light module.

8. The flush-mounted, in-ceiling exhaust fan grille for attachment to an exhaust fan housing according to claim 1 , wherein the insert is rectangularly-shaped and maintains the opening between the light module and insert in a uniformly rectangular shape around a face of the light module.

9. A flush-mounted, in-ceiling exhaust fan grille for attachment to an exhaust fan housing comprising:
a planar integration flange forming a perimeter of the grille, the integration flange defining a plurality of through holes along the perimeter;
an insert configured for insertion within the perimeter of the integration flange;
a light module configured to join within a central portion of the insert while maintaining an opening between an entirety of the light module and the insert;
at least one spring attached to the insert on a first end and attached to the fan housing on a second end, wherein the at least one spring applies a force drawing the insert towards the fan housing; and
wherein an exhaust fan draws air into the fan housing through the opening between the light module and the insert.

10. The flush-mounted, in-ceiling exhaust fan grille for attachment to an exhaust fan housing according to claim 9 , wherein the planar integration flange is configured for permanent attachment to a wall board with a wall board compound thereby concealing the through holes along the perimeter.

11. An exhaust fan grille comprising:
an integration flange defining a perimeter of the grille, the integration flange defining a plurality of through holes;
an insert extending from the integration flange, the insert defining a central portion;
a light module configured to be located within the central portion of the insert while maintaining an opening between the light module and the insert;
a spring having a first end attached to the insert and a second end configured to be attached to a fan housing; and
wherein the opening between the light module and the insert is configured to allow air to be drawn through the grille.

12. The exhaust fan grille of claim 11 , wherein the integration flange is configured for permanent attachment to a wall board with a compound concealing the through holes.

13. The exhaust fan grille of claim 11 , wherein the insert is rectangular shaped and maintains the opening between the light module and insert in a uniformly rectangular shape around the light module.

14. The exhaust fan grille of claim 11 , wherein the insert is cylindrical shaped and maintains the opening between the light module and insert in a uniformly circular shape around the light module.

15. The exhaust fan grille of claim 11 , further comprising a second spring having a first end attached to the insert and a second end configured to be attached to the fan housing.

16. The exhaust fan grille of claim 11 , wherein the plurality of through holes are dispersed about the integration flange.

17. The exhaust fan grille of claim 11 , wherein the light module is attached to the insert by a plurality of receivers.

18. The exhaust fan grille of claim 11 , further comprising a trim ring for attachment to the light module.

19. The exhaust fan grille of claim 11 , wherein the spring is configured to bias the insert toward the fan housing.

20. The exhaust fan grille of claim 11 , wherein the integration flange is planar.

Assignees

• Broan Nu Tone Llc

Inventors

• Peterson Jared
• Revers Ryan A
• Sinur Richard R

Classifications

• F04D29/602

  Mounting in cavities · CPC title

• F21V33/0096

  Fans, e.g. ceiling fans (forced cooling of lighting devices characterised by the arrangement of fans F21V29/67) · CPC title

• F05D2260/38

  by a spring, i.e. spring loaded or biased towards a certain position · CPC title

• F04D29/703 Primary

  specially for fans, e.g. fan guards · CPC title

• F04D29/624

  especially adapted for elastic fluid pumps · CPC title