Abstract:
An apparatus for the extraction of gases has a flexible duct with an interior therein, a polymeric support extending in the interior of the flexible duct, a first anchor that secures an end of the polymeric support, a second anchor that secures an end of the flexible duct, and a duct connector. The first anchor secures the end of the polymeric support to the duct connector. The second anchor secures the end of the flexible duct to the duct connector. The polymeric support is elongated. The polymeric support has a taper and a thickness suitable for holding the flexible duct in a fixed position. The polymeric support is formed of a polycarbonate material.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     Not applicable. 
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not applicable. 
     NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT 
     Not applicable. 
     INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIALS SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC 
     Not applicable. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to the extraction of gases and gas particulates. More particularly, the present invention the relates to flexible ducts for removing or extracting gases from a given area. More particularly still, the present invention the relates to flexible ducts having supports for positioning the ducts. More particularly still, the present invention the relates to flexible ducts having internal supports. 
     2. Description of Related Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37 CFR 1.97 and 37 CFR 1.98. 
     Hoses, ducts, and conduits in various sizes and configurations are commonly utilized for conveying, routing, and directing various substances and objects. For example, many factories use machines and equipment in welding which create unhealthy gases, fumes, or vapors which must be immediately extracted from the building. Those in need of extracting harmful gases from a building usually use flexible ducts to do so. The flexible ducts are connected to some kind of suction source that removes the harmful gases from the area. 
     Ducts are made to be flexible so that the position of the duct opening can be changed so as to optimally extract harmful gases from the area. In the past, it has been quite a challenge to keep a flexible duct in a fixed position. Prior art has attempted to remedy the problem of fixedly positioning a flexible duct by adding support arms. Theses support arms are either located inside the duct or outside the duct. 
     For example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,503,139, issued on Jan. 7, 2003 to Coral, describes an external duct support on a conduit that includes a rotary fitting, in two segments, elbow-connected to each other. Each of the segments has an articulate mechanism that includes a pair of U-section bars connected to each other in the form of an articulated parallelogram by means of two articulated elements. A spiral compression spring is housed between each pair of bars and is compressed between a disk that is integral with one of the bars and a flange that slides along a threaded rod. The flange is locked on the rod by means of a nut. The rod is connected to a lever member pivoting on one of the articulated elements so as to adjust the action of the spring as a function of the angular position of the relative segment with respect to the articulated element. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,536,206, issued on Jul. 16, 1996 to Bodmer et al., describes an external duct support adapted for concentrated sources of fumes and particulate matter that includes an elongated duct connected at one end to a vacuum source and adapted to be supported by a wall bracket or a portable console and a fume collection hood at the opposite end of the duct. One or more flexible joints are interposed in the duct between the support bracket and the hood. Joint support mechanisms for each flexible joint include opposed pairs of pivotally connected arms which interconnect rigid sections of duct on each side of the flexible joint. The connections between the arms of each set include a friction clutch and a ratchet-and-pawl mechanism which permits free movement of the flexible joints in a direction which is opposite that which the hood would move under its own weight while providing for counterbalancing the weight of the apparatus distal of the support bracket and a positive force required to position the hood precisely in the other direction. The friction clutch and ratchet-and-pawl mechanism is interposed between the arms of each set of arms about a pivot connection formed by a bolt and nut assembly, which may be adjusted to change the friction force required to slip the clutches of each joint support mechanism. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,354,937, issued on Mar. 12, 2002 to Crook, describes a sleeve assembly for supporting flexible duct. The assembly includes a frame with first and second frame sections. The frame sections are secured together by fastener subassemblies. The sleeve assembly accommodates flexible duct in various angular and straight configurations. The frame can comprise various suitable materials and skeletal or solid-exterior construction. The sleeve assembly is adapted for various installations in air distribution systems of heating, ventilating and air conditioning systems. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 2,810,400, issued on Oct. 22, 1957 to Hewitt et al., describes the wrapping of a flexible wire around the exterior of the duct. The wire is wound around the exterior of the duct in a spiral fashion. Material strips join each of the wires in an overlapped arrangement. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 2,804,095, issued on Aug. 27, 1957 to Schauenburg, describes an air duct whereby the duct is supported between a pair of longitudinal rods. Clamps are provided over the exterior of the surface of ducts so as to join with the rods for supporting the ducts in a desired configuration. 
     While these external supports for ducts have served a certain function, they have created the problem of being bulky and cumbersome. The supporting parts of these external supports are exposed to dust and to particulate matter in the air which causes the parts to get dirty and malfunction. 
     As a way to avoid the shortcomings of external supports for duct, the prior art has attempted to place the supporting members inside the ducts. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,818,817, issued on Jun. 25, 1974 to Nederman, describes an apparatus for removing noxious gases from a work area that has internal support areas. The apparatus comprises a suction fan, a flexible tubing connected to the suction part of the fan, a suction casing mounted at the tube end and provided within the tube, a lever system which consists of two lever arms of which one arm at one end is connected to the suction part of the fan and at the other end is connected to one end of the other arm, which is further connected to the suction casing. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,482,505, issued on Jan. 9, 1986 to Hedlund, describes an arrangement for the extraction of harmful gases from workplaces that has an internal support for the duct. The arrangement has a carrier arm system that has at least two arms connected telescopically with each other so that the carrier arm system can be given different lengths, whereby the carrier arm system is swivelable around a horizontal spindle so that it can be swivelled in a vertical direction and placed in different positions between a downward-directed, preferably substantially vertical, end position and an outward-directed, preferably substantially horizontal, end position. In order to permit the necessary balancing of both the swivelling and positioning of the carrier arm system and the telescoping function of the arms of the carrier arm system when the carrier arm system is swivelled within a large sector, at least one first device is arranged to generate balancing forces in order to facilitate swivelling of the carrier arm system in the vertical direction between the end positions and/or to facilitate the retention of the carrier arm system in set positions between the end positions. At least one second device is arranged to generate balancing forces which allow the arms of the carrier arm system to remain in the positions relative to each other that they were given by the telescopic function, at least when the carrier arm system is directed substantially downwards. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,738,148, issued on Apr. 14, 1998 to Coral et al., describes a hose with external supports comprising two flexible portions connected respectively to the suction unit and to the fume-conveyor element or hood, and a rectilinear portion which is articulated to the suction unit and the hood. The rectilinear portion comprises two rigid tubes between which is disposed an extensible bellows-type tube. Rigid tubes are held co-axial by a pair of rectilinear guides fixed to one of the rigid tubes and slidably engaging on a pair of fixed slides on the other rigid tube. The two rigid tubes are, finally, connected by a tension spring the action of which is braked by two friction disks disposed between the guides and the slides. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,527,217, issued on Jun. 18, 1996 to Engstrom, describes an adjustable device for exhaustion and/or supply of gases and gas-supported particles that has internal supporting members for the duct. The device comprises at least one exhaustion and/or supply conduit which is pivotable in at least a vertical direction, whereby at least one force-producing balancing device is provided for balancing the exhaustion and/or supply conduit. In order to provide at such an adjustable device that the balancing device generates balancing forces which correspond with the correct balancing requirement, the force-producing balancing device cooperates with a compensating device which compensates for the differences between the balancing force that the force-producing balancing device exerts on the exhaustion and/or supply conduit and the force required for balancing the exhaustion and/or supply conduit in substantially all its positions. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,499,946, issued on Mar. 19, 1996 to Valkering, describes a device for exhausting gases or the like that has internal support members. The internal support members comprise a support and at least one exhaustion tube movably mounted to the support and having a frame which is connected to the support in a manner pivotable at least in vertical direction. The frame is provided with a balancing mechanism for the exhaustion tube. The balancing mechanism comprises a cable with a draw spring. The cable is guided between the support and the frame such that there are formed at least two cable portions to create two force components producing an opposite variable torque around the pivot point of the frame such that the balancing torques, counteracting the gravitational torque, are produced. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,604,549, issued on Aug. 12, 2003 to Gaughier et al., describes a device for fixing a tubular element in a cavity. This device is made up of hoops made of an elastically flexible material disposed in cross-sectional planes of the cavity. The device is characterized in that, along the longitudinal axis of the cavity, the hoops are secured together by a flexible longitudinal support and are interconnected by a flexible membrane. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 3,716,077, issued on Feb. 13, 1973 to Sherman et al., describes a flexible insulated air duct formed by wrapping blanket insulation about a helically wound wire-like elongate tubular skeleton wherein the opposite ends of the helical windings are closed wound and secured together to form rigid collars of different diameters to define male and female connections whereby sections of such duct may be axially connected on to another. 
     All of these prior art internal support ducts have a common problem, i.e., that the internal support members obstruct the flow of air and also collect dust over time, further obstructing the flow of air through the duct. This is especially true when the internal support mechanisms are cumbersome and bulky. 
     There is a need for a flexible duct support that is less cumbersome and bulky. Moreover, there is a need for a flexible duct support that is lightweight, easy to manufacture, and inexpensive. Furthermore, there is a need for an internal flexible duct support that minimizes the restriction of air flow. 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide a support for a flexible duct that connects to air systems. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a support for a flexible duct that maintains the flexible duct in its desired location in a manner that is convenient to the operator. 
     It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a support for a flexible duct that is lightweight. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a support for a flexible duct that minimizes the flow obstruction and turbulence of gases traveling through the interior of a flexible duct. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a support for a flexible duct that serves to reduce the suction power required by the vacuum system. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a support for a flexible duct that accommodates the many types of hoses, ducts and conduits. 
     It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a support for a flexible duct that is formed so as to accommodate any size and diameter of flexible duct. 
     These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a reading of the attached specification and appended claims. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is an apparatus for the extraction of gases comprising a flexible duct having an interior therein, a polymeric support extending in the interior of the flexible duct, a first anchoring means for securing an end of the polymeric support, a second anchoring means for securing an end of the flexible duct, and a duct connector. The first anchoring means secures an end of the polymeric support to the duct connector, and the second anchoring means secures the end of the flexible duct to the duct connector. 
     The polymeric support is elongated. The polymeric support has a taper and a thickness suitable for holding the flexible duct in a fixed position. The polymeric support, specifically, is of a polycarbonate material. The polymeric support exerts a retaining force on the interior of the flexible duct so as to hold the flexible duct in a fixed position. The end of the polymeric support at the duct connector is wider than an opposite end thereof. The duct connector has an outer diameter less than the inner diameter of the flexible duct. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  shows a side elevational view of the apparatus of the present invention, with the flexible duct shown as transparent and in an upright position. 
         FIG. 2  shows a side elevational view of the apparatus of the present invention with the flexible duct in a bent position. 
         FIG. 3  shows a side elevation view of the apparatus of the present invention attached to a suction means. 
         FIG. 4  shows a side elevational view of the polymeric support connected to the duct connector without flexible duct thereover. 
         FIG. 5  shows a plan view of the polymeric support of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  shows a side view of the polymeric support of the present invention. 
         FIG. 7  shows an end view of the narrow end of the polymeric support of the present invention. 
         FIG. 8  shows an end view of the wide end of the polymeric support of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , there is shown the apparatus  10  of the present invention having a flexible duct  12 , a polymeric support  14 , a first anchoring means  16 , a second anchoring means  18  and a duct connector  20 . The flexible duct  12  has an end  11  fitting over the duct connector  20 . The flexible duct  12  also has an interior  21  and an inner wall  17 . As can be seen in  FIG. 1 , the flexible duct  12  is generally tubular in shape and has an annular cross-section. 
     The duct connector  20  is also generally cylindrical in shape. The duct connector  20  can extend from a filter housing, a wall, or any other appropriate surface for suction of gas and particulate matter out of an area. The outer surface  24  of the duct connector  20  is adjacent to the inner wall  17  of the flexible duct  12 . The flexible duct  12  is secured to the duct connector  20  by the second anchoring means  18 , which in the preferred embodiment, is a ring clamp. In this way, the flexible duct  12  can be bent horizontal and vertically as desired while the end  11  of the flexible duct  12  stays secured to the duct connector  20  because of the second anchoring means  18 . 
     The polymeric support  14  extends within the interior  21  of the flexible duct  12 . The polymeric support  14  abuts an inner surface  19  of the duct connector  20 . The polymeric support  14  is secured to the inner surface  19  of the duct connector  20  by the first anchoring means  16 . In the preferred embodiment, the first anchoring means can be bolts or screws or other fasteners that can suitably secure the polymeric support  14  to the duct connector  20 . As can be seen in  FIG. 1 , it is the end  13  of the polymeric support  14  that is secured to the duct connector  20  by the first anchoring means  16 . The opposite end  15  of the polymeric support  14  extends within the interior  21  of the flexible duct  12  and terminates inwardly of the opposite end  25  of the flexible duct  12 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , there is shown the apparatus  10  of the present invention with the flexible duct  12  in a bent position. The second anchoring means  18  holds the flexible duct  12  to the duct connector  20 . As in  FIG. 1 , the polymeric support  14  abuts the inner surface  19  of the duct connector  20 , and is secured to the inner surface  19  of the duct connector  20  by first anchoring means  16 . When the flexible duct  12  is in the bent position, the polymeric support  14  extends upwardly along the inner wall  17  of the flexible duct  12 . However, because of the bent orientation of the flexible duct  12 , the polymeric support  14  begins to extend within the interior of the flexible duct  12  until it again touches the inner wall  17  of the flexible duct  12  adjacent the opposite end  15  of the polymeric support  14 . 
     In the preferred embodiment, the polymeric support  14  is of a polycarbonate material. Polycarbonate is used because it has a suitable resiliency for balancing the weight of a flexible duct  12 . The weight of the opposite end of the flexible duct  12  is counterbalanced by the resilient force of the opposite end  15  of the polymeric support  14 . As can be seen, the counter-balance force of the opposite end of the polymeric support  14  is on the inner wall  17  of the flexible duct  12  near the opposite end  25  of the flexible duct  12 . 
     Referring still to  FIG. 2 , it can be seen that the polymeric support  14  uses very little space in the interior  21  of the flexible duct  12 . The polymeric support  14  is very thin and, as such, does not impede air flow. As a result, the polymeric support  14  is less likely to capture dust and less likely impede the flow of gases through the flexible duct  12 . Additionally, flow of gases through the flexible duct  12  will be less turbulent than other types of supporting devices that are more cumbersome and bulky within the interior  21  of the flexible duct  12 . As a result, power requirements and vacuum forces are less than would be required by other systems. 
     As the flexible duct  12  is bent into position by an operator, the opposite end  15  of the polymeric support  14  travels along the inner wall  17  of the flexible duct  12 . Thus, the opposite end  15  of the polymeric support  14  can reside simply within the interior  21  of the flexible duct  12  without touching the inner wall  17  when the flexible duct  12  is in the upright position, or the opposite end  15  of the polymeric support  14  will travel along the inner wall  17  of the flexible duct  12  toward the opposite end  25  of the flexible duct  12  when the flexible duct  12  is bent. 
     The present invention also works when the flexible duct  12  extends from a horizontally-positioned duct connector  20 . In this situation, the flexible duct  12  and polymeric support  14  horizontally extend from the duct connector  20 . The duct  12  can be bent by an operator to a desired position. Even when horizontally mounted, the resiliency of the polymeric support  14  supports the weight of the flexible duct  12  so as to counterbalance this weight and fix the position of the duct  12 . Just as in a vertical orientation, the opposite end  15  of the polymeric support  14  travels along the inner wall  17  of the flexible duct  12  when an operator bends the duct  12 . The contact created between the inner wall  17  and the polymeric support  14  holds the duct in a fixed position. 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , there is shown the apparatus  10  of the present invention with the duct connector  20  attached to a suction means  26 . The suction means  26  is a vacuum device that uses an impeller or other vacuum technology to create a suction in the interior  21  of the flexible duct  12 . The suction in the interior  21  of the flexible duct  12  causes harmful gases and particulate matter to be removed from the area just outside the opposite end  25  of the flexible duct. The harmful gases and particulate matter travel into the interior  21  and around the polymeric support  14 , into the interior of the duct connector  20 , through suction means  26 , and through a filter  27  located at the discharge of the suction means  26 . In this way, the air removed from the toxic area is filtered in close proximity to the area. Alternatively, the suction means  26  could be remotely located from the duct connector  20 . For example, the duct connector  20  could be connected to another duct that takes the harmful gas and particulate matter to a suction means located outside a building or elsewhere. The gas and particulate matter are then discharged to a remote area that is less toxic and harmful to the people operating the apparatus  10 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , there is shown a view of the polymeric support  14  and duct connector  20  without the flexible duct  12  extending thereover. It can be more clearly seen that the end  13  of the polymeric support  14  is attached to the inner surface  19  of the duct support  20  by first anchoring means  16 . With no flexible duct  12  exerting a downward force when bent, the polymeric support  14  has a resiliency that cause it to stand generally upright. Opposite end  15  of the polymeric support  14  extends away from the duct connector  20 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 5 , there is shown an isolated view of the polymeric support  14 . As stated above, the polymeric support  14  is made of polycarbonate in the preferred embodiment. The end  13  of the polymeric support  14  constantly tapers toward the opposite end  15  thereof. The polymeric support  14  tapers because the taper makes the polymeric support  14  resiliently suitable for supporting a flexible duct (not shown). Some flexible ducts may be of a type where little or no taper is necessary. It is contemplated that the present inventions encompasses as little or as much taper as is necessary for the polymeric support  14  to support a flexible duct in a fixed position. 
     Experimentation on certain flexible ducts has shown that the necessary taper occurs when end  13  is wider than end  15 . Experimentation has also revealed that notches  27  can be placed in the side  23  of the polymeric support  14  as part of its taper to enhance the resiliency of the polymeric support  14 . Thus, the taper can includes notches  27  so as to make the polymeric support  14  more or less resilient for a given flexible duct  12 . Other flexible ducts may or may not need such a taper and notches  27  or may require a different taper and notches. The present invention contemplates whatever taper is necessary to support a given flexible duct. Holes  22  are made in the end  13  of the polymeric support  14  so as to accommodate the bolts, screws or other fasteners of the first anchoring means  16 . 
       FIG. 6  shows the side  23  of the polymeric support  14 . As can be seen the side  23  is of a generally constant thickness from end  13  to opposite end  15 . The present invention also contemplates that there is a slight taper in thickness from end  13  to opposite end  15  so as to make the polymeric support  14  resiliently suitable for supporting a flexible duct  14 . 
       FIG. 7  shows an end view of the narrow end  15  of the polymeric support  14 . The end  15  is generally rectangular in shape. It is contemplated that the end  15  could be a variety of shapes including oval or rectangular with curved edges. 
       FIG. 8  shows an end view of the wide end  13  of the polymeric support  14 . Like the narrow end  15 , the wide end  13  is rectangular in shape. 
     The foregoing disclosure and description of the invention is illustrative and explanatory thereof. Various changes in the details of the illustrated construction can be made within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the true spirit of the invention. The present invention should only be limited by the following claims and their legal equivalents.