System and Method For Replacing a Return Air Filter

Abstract

A system for replacing a filter of return air vent. The system includes a return air vent grill affixed to a surface. The grill is hinged on a first side to the surface allowing the grill to swing to an open position while still attached to the surface. The system also includes a closing mechanism for attaching the grill to a second end opposite the first end of the grill. In addition, a filter is detachably affixed to a tray located on an inner surface of grill. Furthermore, the system includes an extension tool having a length sufficient to contact the closing mechanism by a user located below the grill. The extension tool enables the opening and closing of the closing mechanism. The tray and filter may be slid down to the user by an extendible track. The user may pull the tray and filter down the extended track, replace the filter, slide the filter and tray back to the grill and close the closing mechanism.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for replacing a filter of a return air vent, the system comprising:
 a return air vent grill affixed to a surface, wherein the grill is hinged on a first side to the surface allowing the grill to swing to an open position while still attached to the surface;   a closing mechanism for attaching the grill to a second end opposite the first end of the grill;   a filter detachably affixed to a tray located on an inner surface of the grill;   an extension tool having a length sufficient to contact the closing mechanism by a user located below the return air vent grill, wherein the extension tool includes means for opening and closing the closing mechanism; and   an extension mechanism for extending the filter and tray out cm the grill;   wherein the user replaces the filter by pulling the tray and filter down, replacing the filter, sliding the filter and tray back to the grill and closing the closing mechanism.   
     
     
         2 . The system according to  claim 1  wherein the extension mechanism is an extendible track which enables the filter and tray to be slid down to the user and wherein the user pulls the tray and filter down the extended track to access the filter below the grill. 
     
     
         3 . The system according to  claim 2  wherein the extendible track is a plurality of extendible tracks. 
     
     
         4 . The system according to  claim 3  wherein the extendible tracks are telescopically extendible tracks. 
     
     
         5 . The system according to  claim 1  wherein the closing mechanism includes a rotatable bolt having a slot. 
     
     
         6 . The system according to  claim 5  wherein the extension tool includes an interface end for turning the closing mechanism. 
     
     
         7 . The system according to  claim 6  wherein the interface end includes means for contacting the filter and enable a user to pull the filter and tray away from the grill. 
     
     
         8 . The system according to  claim 1  wherein the extension tool includes a telescopic elongated portion for extending a length of the extension tool. 
     
     
         9 . A method of replacing a filter of a return air vent, the method comprising the steps of:
 opening a return air vent grill affixed to a surface with an extension tool;   pulling, by the extension tool, the filter detachably affixed to a tray located on an inner surface of the grill toward a user;   replacing the filter within the tray;   pushing, by the extension tool, the filter and tray back into the inner surface of the grill; and   closing the return air vent grill with the extension tool.   
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 9  wherein the return air vent grill is hinged on a first side to the surface allowing the grill to swing to an open position while still attached to the surface. 
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 9  wherein the step of opening a return air vent grill includes contacting a closing mechanism attached to the air vent grill to open the return air vent grill. 
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 11  wherein the closing mechanism includes a rotatable bolt having a slot. 
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 12  wherein the step of opening a return air vent grill includes rotating the bolt with the extension tool. 
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 9  wherein the return air vent grill includes an extension mechanism for extending the filter and tray out from the grill. 
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 14  wherein the extension mechanism is an extendible track which enables the filter and tray to be slid down to the user and wherein the user pulls the tray and filter down the extended track to access the filter below the grill. 
     
     
         16 . A system for replacing an air return vent filter, the system comprising:
 a return air vent;   a filter attached to the return air vent; and   means for retrieving and replacing the filter in the return air vent by a user located on a ground level below the return air vent.   
     
     
         17 . The system according to  claim 16  wherein the means for retrieving and replacing the filter includes a mechanism for extending a reach of the user to retrieve the filter from the return air vent. 
     
     
         18 . The system according to  claim 16  wherein means for retrieving and replacing the filter includes a mechanism to extend the filter toward the user located on the ground level. 
     
     
         19 . The system according to  claim 17  wherein:
 a closing mechanism for opening and closing the grill; and 
 the filter is detachably affixed within the return air vent.