US 12,007,141 B2
Foldable, boot loadable, insertable air damper device
Mark Votaw, North Canton, OH (US); Dennis Laughlin, Chardon, OH (US); Al Zelczer, University Heights, OH (US); Howard Zelczer, Brooklyn, NY (US); Lenny Roth, University Heights, OH (US); Vladimir Sipershteyn, Independence, OH (US); Joseph Ramunni, Wadsworth, OH (US); and Bill Molica, Willowick, OH (US)
Assigned to Arzel Zoning Technology, Inc., Cleveland, OH (US)
Filed by Arzel Zoning Technology, Inc., Cleveland, OH (US)
Filed on Dec. 7, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/457,995.
Application 17/457,995 is a continuation of application No. 17/108,477, filed on Dec. 1, 2020, abandoned.
Application 17/108,477 is a continuation of application No. 14/618,249, filed on Feb. 10, 2015, abandoned.
Application 14/618,249 is a continuation of application No. 12/913,261, filed on Oct. 27, 2010, granted, now 8,951,103, issued on Feb. 10, 2015.
Prior Publication US 2022/0099331 A1, Mar. 31, 2022
Int. Cl. F24F 13/10 (2006.01); F24F 13/02 (2006.01); F24F 13/14 (2006.01)
CPC F24F 13/10 (2013.01) [F24F 13/02 (2013.01); F24F 13/1413 (2013.01); F24F 13/1426 (2013.01); F24F 2013/1466 (2013.01); F24F 2221/36 (2013.01); Y10T 29/49826 (2015.01); Y10T 29/49863 (2015.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A boot loadable air damper device for controlling the flow of air through ductwork, the air damper device comprising:
an actuator having a retractable member;
a pivoting member, wherein said pivoting member is operatively connected to said retractable member of said actuator;
at least one support base supporting said actuator and said pivoting member with respect to each other;
a magnetic foldable sheet member attached to the support base, the magnetic foldable sheet member is configured to magnetically secure the damper device to an inner surface of the ductwork;
a foldable damper blade attached to said pivoting member, the foldable damper blade comprising a rigid central blade member, a first side blade member hingedly attached to a first side of the central blade member at a first tensioned hinge, and a second side blade member hingedly attached to a second side of the central blade member at a second tensioned hinge, the foldable damper blade being foldable at the first and second tensioned hinges which bias the first side blade member and the second side blade member towards an unfolded state and, when fully unfolded into the unfolded state, at least one stop member acting against the first and second tensioned hinges restricts further unfolding of the foldable damper blade relative to the central blade member; and
a sealing member of a flexible material encompassing a periphery of the foldable damper blade;
wherein, when fully unfolded into the unfolded state, the foldable damper blade is movable between an open position and a closed position by actuating the retractable member to pivot the pivoting member operatively connected to the central blade member and thereby move the foldable damper blade attached to the pivoting member, the foldable damper blade restricting air flow through the ductwork when in the closed position and the unfolded state; and
wherein said air damper device is configured to be installed through a register boot into ductwork when said foldable damper blade and the magnetic foldable sheet member are each folded to compact the air damper device.