Air-conditioning grill system

Abstract

The present invention is generally directed to an apparatus and method for providing a single-size register grill system. In one aspect, a grill system which can be adapted for use with multiple sizes of register boxes is provided. The grill system includes a grill funnel configured to be attached to a register box, the grill funnel having a body with an airflow pathway that includes an airflow opening and a plurality of secondary airflow openings, wherein the secondary airflow openings are initially closed. The grill system further includes a grill assembly having a plurality of airflow adjustment members for controlling the airflow through the airflow pathway, wherein the grill assembly is attached to the grill funnel. In another aspect, a method of using a grill system is provided. In yet a further aspect, a grill funnel for use with a register box and a grill is provided.

1 . A grill system which can be adapted for use with multiple sizes of register boxes, the grill system comprising:
 a grill funnel configured to be attached to a register box, the grill funnel having a body with an airflow pathway that includes an airflow opening and a plurality of secondary airflow openings, wherein the secondary airflow openings are initially closed;   and a grill assembly having a plurality of airflow adjustment members for controlling the airflow through the airflow pathway, wherein the grill assembly is attached to the grill funnel.   
     
     
         2 . The grill system of  claim 1 , wherein a bypass plug is disposed in each secondary airflow opening. 
     
     
         3 . The grill system of  claim 2 , wherein each bypass plug is removable to increase the size of the airflow pathway. 
     
     
         4 . The grill system of  claim 1 , wherein the adjustment members are a set of shutters that are connected to an adjustment knob. 
     
     
         5 . The grill system of  claim 4 , wherein the rotation of the adjustment knob causes each shutter to pivot around an end of the shutter to control the amount of airflow through the airflow pathway. 
     
     
         6 . The grill system of  claim 1 , wherein the grill funnel includes a seal assembly that is configured to create a seal with the register box. 
     
     
         7 . The grill system of  claim 6 , wherein the seal assembly is disposed in a groove formed in the grill funnel. 
     
     
         8 . The grill system of  claim 1 , wherein the grill funnel includes a plurality of holes for attaching a flow control device. 
     
     
         9 . The grill system of  claim 1 , wherein the grill assembly further includes a housing with at least a first side and a second side and wherein the housing includes a plurality of vanes that are configured to direct air moving through the airflow pathway. 
     
     
         10 . The grill system of  claim 9 , wherein each of the vanes are substantially parallel to at least one side of the housing. 
     
     
         11 . The grill system of  claim 9 , wherein each of the vanes are disposed in the housing at an angle relative to the at least one side of the housing. 
     
     
         12 . A method of using a grill system, the method comprising:
 providing the grill system, the grill system including a grill assembly and a grill funnel having a body with an airflow pathway that includes a primary airflow opening and a plurality of secondary airflow openings that are initially closed;   determining a size of an opening in a register box;   removing a bypass plug in at least one secondary opening if the size of the opening in the register box is greater than the primary airflow opening in the grill funnel; and   attaching the grill system to the register box.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising rotating an adjustment knob in the grill assembly to control the amount of air moving through the airflow pathway. 
     
     
         14 . A grill funnel for use with a register box and a grill, the grill funnel comprising:
 a body having an adjustable airflow pathway that includes a primary airflow opening and a plurality of secondary airflow openings; and   a plurality of bypass plugs disposed in the secondary airflow openings, wherein the bypass plugs are configured to block airflow through the secondary airflow openings and wherein the bypass plugs are removable to adjust a size of the airflow pathway.   
     
     
         15 . The grill funnel of  claim 14 , further comprising a sealing assembly disposed in a groove formed in the body.