Channel lock filter fastening system for use with an air intake structure

Abstract

A fastening system for applying a covering material over an opening of a structure. At least one elongated rail is secured to a fascia of the structure in extending fashion proximate the opening and exhibits a shape with a forwardly projecting support surface within which is configured a narrowed slot. A plurality of fasteners each include a planar shaped base installable through an accessible end location of each of the rails so as to be traversable along an interior channel defined in the rail. A further rotatable portion of each fastener projects from the base through the outwardly facing slot to be rotated from a first position aligning with and seating over perimeter defined receiving apertures of the covering material to a second position in order to affix the material.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]The present application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13 / 205,908, filed Aug. 9, 2011.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention is directed to an assembly for securing a filter screen to a perimeter extending face surrounding a central opening of an air intake structure. More specifically, the present invention discloses a channel lock construction including any number (such as two to four) modified “U” cross sectional shaped rails which secure in generally parallel extending fashion to the edges of the intake opening. A plurality of bolt head fasteners are slidably installed within accessible open end channels of the “U” shaped rails, such that their threaded shafts project through a narrowed and lengthwise extending slot opening defined in each rail. The attachable filter screen exhibits a reinforced perimeter within which is configured a plurality of edge proximate and extending grommets through w...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention provides an improved channel supporting construction for installing any type of covering member, reducing the number of screw holes needed and avoiding sensitive regions on the equipment. The invention also allows for quicker self-alignment of fasteners to filter grommets, reducing installation time and effort and preventing mounting related wrinkling of the filter. The invention includes wing nuts for securely flattening screens against the intake opening, with the addition of a vinyl coating and lock washers to retain the screen in installed fashion. The speed of installation of the filter is increased for any piece of mechanical equipment.

Problems solved by technology

Challenges of traditional methods of fastening include having to drill one or more screw holes into the air intake equipment for mounting each fastener (usually many fasteners per filter).

Frequently, equipment has sensitive components behind the point of drilling thus requiring custom modification of filters to ensure grommet locations don't require fastening to sensitive locations; this can increase the cost of filters due to custom grommet location requirements.

Other difficult mounting situations include filter fasteners requiring mounting to equipment constructed of heavy gauge, hard steel which requires a significant effort and time to drill each hole for fastener attachment—by using the channel lock invention, significantly fewer screw holes for mounting are needed reducing both mounting time and effort.

Further, alignment and attachment of traditional fasteners are time consuming and require detailed alignment and precise fastener placement to prevent wrinkling of the filter across the intake opening; and once fasteners have been attached they provide no movement to accommodate adjustment without requiring drilling and repositioning of the fasteners.

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