The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Mar. 08, 2016
Filed:
May. 08, 2012
Daryl Zalan, San Francisco, CA (US);
Daryl Zalan, San Francisco, CA (US);
Tesla Motors, Inc., Palo Alto, CA (US);
Abstract
A vehicle air vent is provided that includes a plurality of air control vanes, the orientation of which determines the direction of air flow exiting the air vent; a shut-off door that allows air to flow through the air vent when it is in a first position and blocks air flow through the air vent when it is in a second position; a control tab mechanically coupled to the plurality of air control vanes; and a linkage assembly mechanically coupling the control tab to the shut-off door. Adjustment of the control tab within a first range of positions controls the orientation of the air control vanes while maintaining the shut-off door in an open position. Adjustment of the control tab within a second range of positions, however, moves the shut-off door between the first and second positions, thereby controlling air flow through the air vent.