Abstract:
A support assembly for supporting a flexible duct includes a radius strap for maintaining the desired angle of bend for the flexible duct. The radius strap retains its shape through ribs along the back side of the strap. The assembly is secured at both ends to the flexible duct via arms branching off of cross pieces which branch off from the radius strap. The arms contain slots which allow varying connection devices to pass through and secure the flexible duct to the assembly itself and to varying pieces of HVAC equipment.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation-in-part of and claims the benefit of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 29/295,057, filed Sep. 20, 2007, which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates generally to ductwork for heating, ventilating and air conditioning (“HVAC”) systems, and in particular to a support for protecting a length of flexible hose from crimping. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0005]    Hoses, ducts and conduits in various sizes and configurations are commonly utilized for conveying, routing and directing various substances and objects. In dynamic systems, examples of such substances include air which has been heated or cooled by heating and air conditioning equipment. In the construction industry, such systems are commonly referred to as heating, ventilating and air conditioning (“HVAC”) systems. 
         [0006]    Typical HVAC systems include runs of ductwork extending from the heating and air conditioning equipment to additional air handling equipment, or to distribution devices, of which supply diffusers, duct collars, duct taps, duct take-offs, register boxes, energy recovery ventilators, heat recovery ventilators and filter boxes are just examples. Additional air handling equipment examples include variable air volume (“VAV”) boxes which are located in plenum spaces in many commercial structures. Heated and cooled air is typically introduced into the occupied spaces of buildings by diffusers which direct the airflow in predetermined distribution patterns for maximizing the comfort of the occupants. 
         [0007]    Routing ductwork from the HVAC equipment to the supply diffusers or other equipment often involves ducting routes which turn, bend and intersect with various components and with other runs of ductwork. To accommodate such curved, angled, and bent routing, flexible duct is commonly used for the final portions of the duct runs, which terminate at diffusers or other components. Flexible duct also has the advantage of being easily reconfigurable to accommodate changed space configurations and the like. Another advantage of flexible duct is that it is available with insulation to avoid condensation during cooling operation and is therefore widely used in spaces above ceilings. Flexible duct is often used in residential attic spaces and crawl spaces because it is insulated and easily manipulated in tight spaces. 
         [0008]    However, a disadvantage of flexible duct is that it tends to crimp when bent. For example, 90° turns into diffusers can crimp unprotected flexible ducts. Crimping tends to restrict air flow and lower overall system efficiency. HVAC equipment thus works harder and consumes more power to overcome flow resistance associated with crimped flexible ducts. 
         [0009]    A prior art solution to the problem of flexible duct crimping at diffusers and other bending locations is to install metal elbows. However, such additional components involve additional labor and material costs, as well as the possible need to insulate the metal elbow. 
         [0010]    Other prior art solutions involving flexible duct sleeves to protect the curve of the flexible duct do not alleviate the cost issue. Prior designs use a lot of material, are difficult to manufacture, require time to strap onto the device, and are not as cost-effective as they could be. 
         [0011]    The present invention addresses all of the disadvantages of prior art solutions to flexible duct installations. Heretofore there has not been available a support for flexible duct with the advantages and features of the present invention. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0012]    In the practice of the present invention, a support assembly is provided for flexible ducts. The support assembly includes two cross pieces branching off of a spine generally following the inner radius (IR) of the flexible duct bend. Each cross piece includes two arms. The arms are flexible enough to partially wrap around a flexible duct. The arms contain slots for use with a multitude of connecting devices commonly used in the HVAC trade, including metal wire and nylon zip-ties. The spine is designed with ribs so that it will remain firm for the flexible duct to rest upon so that crimping cannot occur. The support is designed to work with bending flexible duct for quick attachment while using common materials for connection. 
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       [0013]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a support assembly for flexible duct. 
         [0014]      FIG. 2  is a side elevation showing the support assembly supporting a flexible duct. 
         [0015]      FIG. 3  is a front elevation showing the support assembly supporting a flexible duct. 
         [0016]      FIG. 4  is a rear elevation showing the support assembly supporting a flexible duct. 
         [0017]      FIG. 5  is a side elevation of a first installation of the support device. 
         [0018]      FIG. 5   a  is a side elevation of a prior art configuration of the installation shown in  FIG. 5 . 
         [0019]      FIG. 6  is a plan view of a second installation of the support device. 
         [0020]      FIG. 6   a  is a plan view of a prior art configuration of the installation shown in  FIG. 6 . 
         [0021]      FIG. 7  is an elevation of a third installation of the support device. 
         [0022]      FIG. 7   a  is an elevation of a prior art configuration of the installation shown in  FIG. 7 , including a crimped flexible hose. 
         [0023]      FIG. 7   b  is an elevation of a prior art configuration of the installation shown in  FIG. 7 , with an uninsulated galvanized sheet metal elbow transitioning from a length of flexible duct to a ceiling diffuser. 
         [0024]      FIG. 8  is an elevation of an installation of the support device at a 90° bend of a flexible duct, shown suspended from the underside of a floor slab. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     I. Introduction and Environment 
       [0025]    As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. 
         [0026]    Certain technology will be used in the following description for convenience in reference only and will not be limiting. For example, up, down, front, back, right and left refer to the invention as oriented in the view being referred to. The words “inwardly” and “outwardly” refer to directions toward and away from, respectively, the geometric center of the embodiment being described and designated parts thereof. Said terminology will include the words specifically mentioned, derivatives thereof and words of similar meaning. The invention can be fabricated in various sizes and configurations from a wide variety of suitable materials, which are chosen for their characteristics according to the intended use and the operation of the invention. 
         [0027]    Referring to the drawings in more detail, the reference numeral  2  generally designates a structural support for a length of flexible duct  4  at a bend  5  designed to ensure the duct does not crimp when attached to a diffuser  16  or other similar device such as duct collars, duct taps, duct take-offs, register boxes, energy recovery ventilators, heat recovery ventilators, and filter boxes, but the use of this device is not limited to these examples. Common usage of flexible duct which would benefit from the structural support device  2  includes, but is not limited to, use in residential attics and crawl spaces, as well as use in commercial acoustical ceiling systems. The support  2  is mainly comprised of a radiused spine  10 , supported by ribs  9 , from which two cross pieces  11  branch out to form four arms  12 . Each of these arms contains a tab  14  with a slot  13 . These slots  13  allow a connecting element  6  to pass through the slot  13  and attach the support device  2  to the flexible duct  4 , securing the duct to a diffuser  16  or other similar element. The bend  5  angle can be designed for any angle by changing the angle of the radius strap  10 . 
       II. Support Device  2   
       [0028]    The support device  2  comprising a first modified embodiment of the present invention can be molded from plastic or some other suitable material. The ribs  9  supporting the structure of the spine  10  provide maximum support with minimal material requirements. The entire assembly  2  is comprised of minimal amount of material, which is an advantage over prior art. The connection devices  6  that pass through slots  13  within tabs  14  at the end of each arm  12  can be of any suitable and common product for use with HVAC systems, but are separate from the actual support device  2 . 
         [0029]    The flexible duct  4  is generally supported by a thin wire ring that encircles the duct and this wire will not support the duct in a bend  5 . When the flexible duct is bent at an angle, the wires collapse slightly and less air is allowed to pass through the duct. This collapse typically occurs at the inner radius, while the outer radius is flattened as the wire bends. Thus the support device  2  and its elements, especially the rigidity of the spine  10 , are necessary to ensure crimping of the flexible duct  4  does not occur. 
         [0030]    The spine  10  is the main structural element of the support device  2 . The spine  10  has an inner face and an outer face. Ribs  9  along the outer face of the device provide strength to the spine  10  with minimal materials requirements. The spine  10  establishes the inner and outer radiuses and can be designed for any bend  5  angle that would be desired for a flexible duct  4  and provides guidance to the duct so that crimping cannot occur as shown in  FIGS. 2 ,  3 , and  4 . By establishing the inner and outer radiuses, the support device  2  prevents crimping of the flexible duct  4 . The spine  10  is rigid, causing the cross pieces  11  to retain their designed angles. 
         [0031]    The arms  12  that wrap themselves partially around the flexible duct  4  provide stability and ensure that the duct cannot fall off of the path projected by the spine  10 . The arms  12  are made of flexible material and thus can accommodate several sizes of flexible duct  4 . The arms  12  are pre-bent to a degree to make installation of the device easier on the worker. The arms  12  extend off of the cross piece  11  which is supported by the spine  10 . Because the radius strap  10  is rigid, the cross pieces  11  and arms  12  retain their originally intended angles. 
         [0032]    Each arm  12  has a tab  14  containing a slot  13 . The edges of these tabs  14  as formed from plastic or other suitable material will be rounded to protect both the relatively fragile flexible duct  4  as well as the worker installing the device. The slots  13  allow a connecting device  6  to pass through it. This connecting device  6  can be of a number of materials or devices, from common metal wire, to a more secure nylon zip-strap. When the arms  12  are securing the flexible duct  4  to a diffuser  16  or other piece of HVAC equipment, a more secure connecting device  6  can be used to ensure that the flexible duct  4  does not slip off of the diffuser  16  or other device. When the arms  12  are being used on the other end of the bend, a less expensive connecting device  6  can be passed through the slots  13  and used to merely prevent the flexible duct  4  from slipping off of the support  2 . 
       III. Installations 
       [0033]      FIG. 5  shows a first installation or application of the flexible duct support device  2  in an HVAC system including a supply duct  20  and a round tap  22  connected to the same. The support device  2  secures the end of a length of flexible duct  4  to the round tap  20  using any connecting device  6 , including mounting screws or ties. The opposing end of the flexible duct is shown attached to a diffuser  16  mounted in a ceiling tile  24 , but is not limited to this application. 
         [0034]    A prior art configuration is shown in  FIG. 5   a  and illustrates a potential restricted flow choke point  32 , which is avoided by use of the support device  2 . 
         [0035]      FIG. 6  shows an installation of a flexible duct support device  2  used in collaboration with a support (e.g., wire)  18  to connect a length of flexible duct  4  to a variable air volume (“VAV”) box  28  fed by a low pressure duct  26 . The support device  2  ensures that the straight piece supported by the support strap  18  turns at the desired bend  5  angle and drops into the high pressured duct  30 . 
         [0036]      FIG. 6   a  shows a prior art configuration for connecting a length of flexible duct  4  to a VAV box  28  whereby a choke point  32  can occur. 
         [0037]      FIG. 7  shows a flexible duct support device  2  coupling a length of flexible duct  4  directly to a diffuser  16  with the use of a connecting material  6 . Prior art construction details for this configuration are shown in  FIGS. 7   a  and  7   b.    FIG. 7   a  shows the potential choke point  32  which can form if no special consideration is given to maintaining the shape of the bend  5  in the flexible duct.  FIG. 7   b  shows a prior art solution to this problem wherein a galvanized elbow  34  is connected to the flexible duct  4  and the diffuser  16 . 
         [0038]      FIG. 8  is another installation of the flexible duct Support device  2  for supporting a length of flexible duct  4  at a bend  5  thereof located intermediate a supply duct  20  and a diffuser  16  mounted in a ceiling tile  24 . 
         [0039]    It is to be understood that the invention can be embodied in various forms, and is not to be limited to the examples discussed above. Other components and configurations can be utilized in the practice of the present invention. For example, waste receptacles embodying aspects of the present invention can be scaled to a wide range of appropriate sizes, and can be manufactured from a wide range of suitable materials utilizing appropriate manufacturing procedures.