Although the 'under a deck' installations for this item's intended use would certainly tend to make the esthetics, even for women, less of a concern in general - I just used the 90ş round ell example as an illustration of point in regard to availability and cost.
More typically I would spend even less and just fabricate a simple 'ramp' deflector with two triangular sides - and bend it all from a single piece of sheet metal.
Oddly; in my experience the operation / performance of the AC system isn't the consumer complaint - it is that the deck area above the condensing unit is too warm. (Which idea also ties to my last paragraph in regard to how customer make decisions. <g>)
I am sure that the patent is theoretically and legally defensible - but that wasn't my point. Other than publicly advertised duplicates being marketed - which would be hard enough to monitor - how would you even know that someone like myself, or my dastardly cohorts here (many of whom are actual tinknockers who could fabricate an condenser air defector hood while sleeping), was 'stealing' your concept?
The HOA mandates would make the closing rates of your sales efforts greater because of the captive-audience factor but among typical homeowners the sales closing rate would be much lower. Highly educated technically people such as yourself can easily grasp the obvious need and benefits - but ma & pa kettle homeowner? My experience would not support that conclusion.
I'm not trying to be disparaging or discouraging - you asked for my opinions and I've stated them. I wish you the very best of luck with all your future endeavors.
PHM
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[QUOTE=Mark21104;26022601]Poodle Head,
Thanks for the information. Your comment of limited applicability is the observation I have been getting from calling local HVAC contractors. But in my development, 8% townhomes could use this invention. Happens when decks are installed later. There are 93 million homes in the US, so you don't need much applicability for a market. I estimated 16,000 homes for a market. I assumed 1/2% acceptance of applicable homes.
My development will not allow relocation of the condenser. That would interfere with the development's grass cutting service.
Thank you for sharing the pics. The patent is defensible against them. The US patent office examiner and I were careful about this when framing the claims. The patent is for upflow condenser/package units only, it deflects in one direction, and the deflectors are not enclosed. And I assigned this patent to my LLC to liability protection.
My HVAC mechanic said that the woman of a house wouldn't tolerate the ugliness of a big ell on a unit. Yes it would be functional, something only a man could love.
If you feel any differently after what I wrote, let me know. In any event, thank you for your research and communication.
Mark Ramsay
Originally Posted by
Unlimited1
ELIMA-DRAFT® MAGNETIC AIR DEFLECTOR VENT COVER FOR HVAC COMMERCIAL VENTS 24" X 24
PHM
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When faced with the choice between changing one's mind, and proving that there is no need to do so, most tend to get busy on the proof.