Indoor Coil Adapter

Abstract

An adapter for controlling airflow between a first element and a second element in an air conditioning system is provided including a frame having a first frame piece and a second frame piece. A portion of the second frame piece overlaps the first frame piece. The second frame piece slides relative to the first frame piece making a dimension of the frame adjustable. An upper portion of the frame attaches about an end of the first element and a lower portion of the frame attaches about an end of the second element.

1 . An adapter for controlling airflow between a first element and a second element in an air conditioning system comprising:
 a frame including a first frame piece and a second frame piece, wherein a portion of the second frame piece overlaps a portion of the first frame piece, the second frame piece being slidable relative to the first frame piece, such that a dimension of the frame is adjustable;   wherein an upper portion of the frame attaches about an end of the first element and a lower portion of the frame attaches about an end of the second element.   
     
     
         2 . The adapter according to  claim 1 , wherein the frame is adjustable to a plurality of sizes of either the first or second element. 
     
     
         3 . The adapter according to  claim 1 , wherein the first element is an indoor coil and the second element is a furnace. 
     
     
         4 . The adapter according to  claim 1 , wherein, when an inlet of the first element is equal to an outlet of the second element, a cross-section of the frame is generally rectangular. 
     
     
         5 . The adapter according to  claim 1 , wherein when an inlet of the first element is larger than an outlet of the second element, a cross-section of the frame is generally trapezoidal. 
     
     
         6 . The adapter according to  claim 3 , where the first element if offset from the second element, the cross-section of the frame is a right angle trapezoid. 
     
     
         7 . The adapter according to  claim 3 , wherein the first element is centrally aligned with the second element, the cross-section of the frame is an isosceles trapezoid. 
     
     
         8 . A system comprising:
 a furnace;   an indoor coil positioned directly downstream from the furnace; and   an adapter for connecting the furnace to the indoor coil, the adapter having a first frame piece and a second frame piece; wherein a portion of the second frame piece overlaps a portion of the first frame piece, the second frame piece being slidable relative to the first frame piece, such that a dimension of the frame is adjustable;   wherein an upper portion of the adapter attaches about an end of the first element and a lower portion of the adapter attaches about an end of the second element.   
     
     
         9 . The system according to  claim 8 , wherein the frame is adjustable to a plurality of sizes of a second element. 
     
     
         10 . The adapter according to  claim 8 , wherein when an inlet of the indoor coil is equal to an outlet of the furnace, a cross-section of the frame is generally rectangular. 
     
     
         11 . The adapter according to  claim 8 , wherein when an inlet of the indoor coil is larger than an outlet of the furnace, a cross-section of the frame is generally trapezoidal. 
     
     
         12 . The adapter according to  claim 11 , wherein when the indoor coil is offset from the furnace, the cross-section of the frame is a right angle trapezoid. 
     
     
         13 . The adapter according to  claim 12 , wherein when the indoor coil is centrally aligned with the furnace, the cross-section of the frame is an isosceles trapezoid. 
     
     
         14 . A method for installing an adapter between a first component and a second component in a system:
 adjusting the adapter to match an end of the first component   inserting a fastener through a plurality of aligned holes of the adapter;   connecting the adapter about an end of the second component;   inserting additional fasteners through the plurality of aligned holes of the adapter; and   connecting the adapter about an end of the first component.   
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 14 , wherein the adapter is adjusted by sliding an overlapping second frame piece relative to a first frame piece. 
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 14 , wherein the fastener is inserted through aligned holes of a first frame piece and a second frame piece adjacent a bottom portion of the adapter. 
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 14 , wherein an upper portion of the adapter connects to about end of the second component. 
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 14 , wherein a lower portion of the adapter connects about an end of the first component.