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A floor grommet for use in building and office structures supplied with air conditioning via under floor plenum. Directed flow of conditioned air is optimized by limiting the escape of air from the plenum into the space above the floor by leakage through floor openings provided for power cables, dat

A floor grommet for use in building and office structures supplied with air conditioning via under floor plenum. Directed flow of conditioned air is optimized by limiting the escape of air from the plenum into the space above the floor by leakage through floor openings provided for power cables, data cables and the like. Specialized floor grommets installed in the cable openings are comprised of a surrounding frame mounting sealing elements comprised of thin, flexible elements which are anchored at one end in the grommet frame and extend toward the center of the opening, from each side, to effectively close the opening against significant flow of conditioned air from the plenum below. Cables passing through the grommet opening cause minimal deflection of the flexible elements to limit the escape of conditioned air. Preferably, the resilient, flexible elements are filamentary in nature. To particular advantage, the filamentary sealing elements may be installed in multiple stages, with stages underneath being in contact with stages above, in outer portions thereof. Additionally, solid, van-like sealing elements may be provided to assist in centering of the cable elements, when cables are installed, and to provide a substantially complete seal, for those openings in which no cables are installed. The floor grommet of the invention is designed for initial or retrofit installation. Significant economies in the usage of conditioned air are realized when the floor grommets are employed.

대표청구항 ▼

A floor grommet for use in building and office structures supplied with air conditioning via under floor plenum. Directed flow of conditioned air is optimized by limiting the escape of air from the plenum into the space above the floor by leakage through floor openings provided for power cables, dat

A floor grommet for use in building and office structures supplied with air conditioning via under floor plenum. Directed flow of conditioned air is optimized by limiting the escape of air from the plenum into the space above the floor by leakage through floor openings provided for power cables, data cables and the like. Specialized floor grommets installed in the cable openings are comprised of a surrounding frame mounting sealing elements comprised of thin, flexible elements which are anchored at one end in the grommet frame and extend toward the center of the opening, from each side, to effectively close the opening against significant flow of conditioned air from the plenum below. Cables passing through the grommet opening cause minimal deflection of the flexible elements to limit the escape of conditioned air. Preferably, the resilient, flexible elements are filamentary in nature. To particular advantage, the filamentary sealing elements may be installed in multiple stages, with stages underneath being in contact with stages above, in outer portions thereof. Additionally, solid, van-like sealing elements may be provided to assist in centering of the cable elements, when cables are installed, and to provide a substantially complete seal, for those openings in which no cables are installed. The floor grommet of the invention is designed for initial or retrofit installation. Significant economies in the usage of conditioned air are realized when the floor grommets are employed. clip member disposed on the interior surface of the second leg; whereby upon connecting to the generally U-shaped channel member the first arm of the clip member engages the first flexible tang and the first ledge of the generally U-shaped channel member, and the second arm of the clip member engages the second flexible tang and the second ledge of the generally U-shaped channel member. 2. The containment apparatus of claim 1 wherein the generally U-shaped channel member flexes in an arcuate path that is away from a center of the channel member whereby the generally U-shaped channel member is positioned to become attached to the clip member, and wherein the generally U-shaped channel member resiles or is adapted to be urged in an arcuate path that is toward the center of the channel member whereby the generally U-shaped channel member is attached to the clip member. 3. The containment apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first flexible tang and the second flexible tang flex whereby the generally U-shaped channel member is positioned to become attached to the clip member, and wherein the first flexible tang and the second flexible tang resile or are adapted to be urged back into their original position whereby the generally U-shaped channel member is attached to the clip member. 4. The containment apparatus of claim 2 wherein the first flexible tang and the second flexible tang flex whereby the generally U-shaped channel member is positioned to become attached to the clip member, and wherein the first flexible tang and the second flexible tang resile or are adapted to be urged back into their original position whereby the generally U-shaped channel member is attached to the clip member. 5. The containment apparatus of claim 4 wherein the first flexible tang includes a first general abutment portion, a first curved portion, and terminates in a first end portion, wherein the first general abutment portion is generally adapted to contact the surface, and wherein the first general abutment portion is connected to the first curved portion, which curves upward into the interior space and then back toward the first leg, and wherein the first curved portion is connected to the first end portion, which projects toward the interior surface of the first leg; and wherein the second flexible tang includes a second general abutment portion, a second curved portion, and terminates in a second end portion, wherein the second general abutment portion is generally adapted to contact the surface, and wherein the second general abutment portion is connected to the second curved portion, which curves upward into the interior space and then back toward the second leg, and wherein the second curved portion is connected to the second end portion, which projects toward the interior surface of the second leg. 6. The containment apparatus of claim 5 wherein the first ledge projects into the interior space above the first general abutment portion of the first flexible tang and generally parallel to a plane that contains the first general abutment portion and the second general abutment portion, and below the first end portion of the first flexible tang; and wherein the second ledge projects into the interior space above the second general abutment portion of the second flexible tang and generally parallel to the plane that contains the first general abutment portion and the second general abutment portion, and below the second end portion of the second flexible tang. 7. The containment apparatus of claim 6 wherein the first ledge has at least a first top face and the second ledge has at least a second top face. 8. The containment apparatus of claim 7 wherein the first end portion of the first flexible tang has an angle of about 45° and the second end portion of the second flexible tang has an angle of about 45°. 9. The containment apparatus of claim 7 wherein the clip member is T-shaped. 10. The containment apparatus of claim 9 wherein the T-shaped cl ip member includes a central stem, the first arm and the second arm being connected to the central stem, and at least one fastener opening in the central stem adapted to receive a fastener whereby the T-shaped clip member is adapted to be fastened to the surface. 11. The containment apparatus of claim 10 wherein the first arm of the T-shaped clip member terminates in a first overhang facing the mounting surface, the first overhand having: a first angled face; a first bottom flat face; and a first underarm portion having an angle of about 90° opposite the central stem, one arm of the angle being defined by a first parallel wall that is generally parallel to the central stem; and wherein the second arm of the T-shaped clip member terminates in a second overhand facing the mounting surface, the second overhand having: a second angled face; a second bottom flat face; and a second underarm portion having an angle of about 90° opposite the central stem, one arm of the angle being defined by a second parallel wall that is generally parallel to the central stem. 12. The containment apparatus of claim 11 wherein the first bottom flat face of the first arm of the T-shaped clip member engages the first top face of the first ledge of the generally U-shaped channel member, and wherein the second bottom flat face of the second arm of the T-shaped clip member engages the second top face of the second ledges of the generally U-shaped channel member. 13. The containment apparatus of claim 11 wherein the first end portion of the first flexible tang of the generally U-shaped channel member engages the first parallel wall of the first arm of the T-shaped clip member, and wherein the second end portion of the second flexible tang of the generally U-shaped channel member engages the second parallel wall of the second arm of the T-shaped clip member. 14. The containment apparatus of claim 12 wherein the first end portion of the first flexible tang of the generally U-shaped channel member engages the first parallel wall of the first arm of the T-shaped clip member, and wherein the second end portion of the second flexible tang of the generally U-shaped channel member engages the second parallel wall of the second arm of the T-shaped clip member. 15. The containment apparatus of claim 14 wherein the first leg and the second leg of the generally U-shaped channel member flex in an arcuate path that is away from the center of the channel member whereby the generally U-shaped channel member is positioned to become attached to the T-shaped clip member, and wherein the first leg and the second leg of the generally U-shaped channel member resile or are adapted to be urged in an arcuate path that is toward the center of the channel member whereby the generally U-shaped channel member is attached to the T-shaped clip member. 16. The containment apparatus of claim 14 wherein the first flexible tang flexes toward the interior surface of the first leg and the second flexible tang flexes toward the interior surface of the second leg whereby the generally U-shaped channel member is positioned to become attached to the T-shaped clip member, and wherein the first flexible tang resiles away or is adapted to be urged away from the interior surface of the first leg and the second flexible tang resiles away or is adapted to be urged away from the interior surface of the second leg whereby the generally U-shaped channel member is attached to the T-shaped clip member. 17. The containment apparatus of claim 15 wherein the first flexible tang flexes toward the interior surface of the first leg and the second flexible tang flexes toward the interior surface of the second leg whereby the generally U-shaped channel member is positioned to become attached to the T-shaped clip member, and wherein the first flexible tang resiles away or is adapted to be urged away from the interior surface of the first leg and the second flexible tang resiles away or is adapted to