Patent ID: 6196597
Filing Date: 2001-03-06
Classification: F16L,F24F

Abstract:
A heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) duct comprising:a) a section of hollow duct having a first lateral geometric cross section and indicia of length provided along an outer surface portion of said hollow duct for facilitating cutting of said duct to a particular length,b) a connector for engaging a first end of said section of hollow duct having a second lateral geometric cross section identical to said first lateral geometric cross section and a first outer portion which has a C-shaped axial cross section formed by first, second and third inwardly directed surfaces, said first and third surfaces extending generally parallel to each other forming opposing parallel surfaces and said second surface interconnecting said first and third surfaces, a plurality of gripping fingers extending inwardly from each of said first and third surfaces toward said opposing parallel surface, said gripping fingers including a first group extending inwardly from said first surface toward said third surface and a second group extending inwardly from said third surface toward said first surface said first and second groups of fingers overlapping one another;whereby a first section of hollow duct may be connected to a second section of hollow duct by inserting said first end thereof into said connector having said C-shaped axial cross section, said inwardly extending fingers of said connector engaging inner and outer surfaces of said first section and restricting removal of said first end from said connector.