Abstract:
An HVAC line set duct system includes a line set duct with a channel clip. The duct houses an HVAC line set and includes a channel connector for slidably securing the channel clips along the length of the line set duct. The channel clips have collars that engage tie wraps that in turn secure the HVAC line set to the line set duct. The channel clips are installed onto the line set channel connector by exerting a force perpendicular to the length of the line set duct so that the channel clips snap onto the channel connector and slide along the channel connector.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This invention claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/117,067, filed Feb. 17, 2015, which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention relates to a line set duct system for housing an HVAC line set running between a condenser and an evaporator of an HVAC system, and more specifically to a line set duct system including a duct with a channel and a channel clip for holding the line set in place within the duct. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    An HVAC line set includes at least an evaporator line and a suction line that run between the condenser outside a building and the evaporator inside the building that is heated or cooled by the HVAC system. Between the condenser and the evaporator the line set may be outside the building and exposed. The line set duct system includes a line set duct that encloses the line set to protect the line set and to hide the line set from view. In order to protect the line set within the line set duct and keep the line set from moving and vibrating within the line set duct, an integral channel with a series of channel clips extends along the length of the line set duct. The channel clips engage the channel and can slide along the channel. The line set is secured to the channel clips, and therefore to the channel by means of tie wraps attached to the channel clips. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    The line set duct system of the present invention includes a line set duct for housing the line set of the HVAC system and a series of channel clips for securing the line set within the line set duct. The line set duct includes a longitudinally extending duct base with a longitudinally extending integral channel connector, longitudinally extending side walls, and a removable longitudinally extending cover. A channel connector includes a first inverted L-shaped channel member and a second inverted L-shaped channel member attached to the duct base, extending along the length of the duct base, and extending parallel to each other. Each channel member has an inverted L-shaped cross-section consisting of a channel lip and a channel web. The channel webs are attached to the duct base. The two inverted L-shaped channel members are oriented to create two outward facing outside channel grooves. The two outside channel grooves are formed by the channel lips, the channel webs, and the duct base. A center channel groove is created between the channel connectors of the inverted L-shaped channel members. 
         [0005]    In a first embodiment, the channel clip has a generally planar and rectangular clip base with a top and bottom. Two legs, a first leg and a second leg, are attached at one side of the clip base and extend downwardly. The first leg and the second leg each have a downwardly extending portion and a perpendicularly extending portion attached to the lower end of the downwardly extending portion. A third leg is attached to an opposite side of the clip base and extends downwardly. The third leg has a downwardly extending portion and a perpendicularly extending portion attached to the lower end of the downwardly extending portion. The downwardly extending portions of the legs, the perpendicularly extending portions of the legs and the bottom of the clip base form leg grooves. In addition, the perpendicularly extending portion of the third leg has a camming surface distal from the clip base. A tool opening in the clip base allows a user to access the third leg with a tool, such as a screwdriver, in order to release the perpendicularly extending portion from the channel lip of the second L-shaped channel member. The channel clip has a clip collar with a collar opening attached to the top of the clip base for engaging a tie wrap or other fastener. The channel clip also has a pair of friction elements, a first friction element and a second friction element, extending downwardly from the center of the bottom of the clip base and dimensioned to fit within the width of the center channel groove of the channel connector. 
         [0006]    In operation, first and second leg grooves of the first and second legs first engage the channel lip of the first L-shaped channel member. The channel clip is then pushed perpendicularly toward the duct base so that the camming surface of the third leg rides over the channel lip of the second L-shaped channel member. Once the camming surface has passed the channel lip of the second L-shaped channel member, the third leg groove engages the channel clip of the second L-shaped channel member, and the channel clip is thereby slidably attached to the channel connector. When the channel clip is thus attached to the channel connector, the first and second friction elements engage the duct base of the center channel groove to inhibit free sliding of the channel clip along the channel connector. As previously indicated, the channel clip can be removed by engaging the perpendicularly extending portion of the third leg to releasing the perpendicularly extending portion from the channel lip of the second L-shaped channel member. 
         [0007]    A second embodiment of the invention is similar to the first embodiment described above except for the addition of a release tab attached to the top of the clip base and extending upwardly. The release tab has a top end, a bottom end, and a length. The bottom end of the release tab is attached to the top of the clip base directly above the third leg. By moving the top end of the release tab toward the center of the clip base, the torque exerted on the edge of the clip base causes the third leg to rotate. As the third leg rotates, the perpendicularly extending portion of the third leg disengages from the channel lip of the second L-shaped channel member thereby releasing the channel clip for removal. A tool opening in the clip base also allows a user to access the third leg with a tool, such as a screwdriver, in order to release the perpendicularly extending portion from the channel lip of the second L-shaped channel member. 
         [0008]    In a third embodiment, the channel clip has a generally planar and rectangular clip base with a top and bottom. Four legs, a first leg, a second leg, a third leg, and a fourth leg, are attached at each corner of the clip base and extend downwardly. Each of the legs has a downwardly extending portion and a perpendicularly extending portion attached to the lower end of the downwardly extending portion which together with the clip base form first, second, third, and fourth leg grooves. Each of the perpendicularly extending portions of the legs has a camming surface distal from the clip base. Tool openings in the clip base allows a user to access the four legs with a tool, such as a screwdriver, in order to release the perpendicularly extending portions of the four legs from the L-shaped channel base of the second channel member. The channel clip has a clip collar with a collar opening attached to the top of the clip base for engaging a tie wrap or other fastener. The channel clip also has a pair of friction elements, a first friction element second friction element, extending downwardly from the center of the clip base and dimensioned to fit within the width of the center channel groove of the line set duct. 
         [0009]    In operation, the channel clip is pushed perpendicularly toward the duct base so that the camming surfaces of the four legs ride over the L-shaped channel base of the both channel members. Once the camming surfaces have passed the L-shaped channel bases of the channel members, the leg grooves engage the L-shaped channel base of the channel members, and the channel clip is thereby slidably attached to the line set channel. When the channel clip is thus attached to the line set channel, the first and second friction elements engage the duct base of the center channel groove to inhibit free sliding of the channel clip along the line set channel. 
         [0010]    In a fourth embodiment, the channel clip has a generally rectangular clip base with a top and bottom. Two legs, a first leg and a second leg, are attached at diagonal corners of the clip base and extend downwardly. The first leg and the second leg each have a downwardly extending portion and a perpendicularly extending portion attached at the lower end of the downwardly extending portion, which together with the base form first and second leg grooves. The perpendicularly extending portions of the legs have a camming surface distal from the clip base. The channel clip also has downwardly extending stubs at the corners of the base opposite the legs. Tool openings in the clip base allows a user to access the two legs with a tool, such as a screwdriver, in order to release the perpendicularly extending portions of the legs from the first and second channel lips of the first and second L-shaped channel members. The channel clip has a clip collar with a collar opening attached to the top of the clip base for engaging a tie wrap or other fastener. 
         [0011]    In operation, the channel clip is pushed perpendicularly toward the duct base so that the camming surfaces of the two legs ride over the channel lips of the both L-shaped channel members. Once the camming surfaces have passed the channel lips of the L-shaped channel members, the leg grooves engage the channel lips of the L-shaped channel members, and the channel clip is thereby slidably attached to the channel connector. The stubs engage the channel lips of the L-shaped channel members to keep the channel clip from rotating around an axis perpendicular to the duct base. 
         [0012]    Further objects, features and advantages will become apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description of the invention when taken in conjunction with the drawings and the appended claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]      FIG. 1  is a top perspective view of a line set duct with its duct cover removed for a line set duct system in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  is an end elevation view of the line set duct with its duct cover in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  is a top perspective view of the line set duct system with the line set duct and a channel clip in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 4  is a bottom perspective view of the channel clip in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 5  is a top perspective view of the channel clip in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 6  is an end elevation view of the line set duct system with the line set duct and the channel clip in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0019]      FIG. 7  is a top perspective view of the line set duct system with the line set duct and a channel clip in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0020]      FIG. 8  is a bottom perspective view of the channel clip in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0021]      FIG. 9  is a top perspective view of the channel clip in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0022]      FIG. 10  is an end elevation view of the line set duct system with the line set duct and the channel clip in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0023]      FIG. 11  is a top perspective view of the line set duct system with the line set duct and a channel clip in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0024]      FIG. 12  is a bottom perspective view of the channel clip in accordance with the third embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0025]      FIG. 13  is a top perspective view of the channel clip in accordance with the third embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0026]      FIG. 14  is an end elevation view of the line set duct system with the line set duct and the channel clip in accordance with the third embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0027]      FIG. 15  is a top perspective view of the line set duct system with the line set duct and a channel clip in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0028]      FIG. 16  is a bottom perspective view of the channel clip in accordance with the fourth embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0029]      FIG. 17  is a top perspective view of the channel clip in accordance with the fourth embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0030]      FIG. 18  is an end elevation view of the line set duct system with the line set duct and the channel clip in accordance with the fourth embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0031]    Turning to  FIGS. 1-3 , a line set duct system  10  ( FIG. 3 ) of the present invention includes a line set duct  12  for housing a line set (not shown) of an HVAC system and a series of channel clips (a channel clip  100 — FIGS. 3-6 , a channel clip  200 — FIGS. 7-10 , a channel clip  300 — FIGS. 11-14 , and a channel clip  400 — FIGS. 15-18 ) for securing the line set within the line set duct  12 . The line set duct  12  includes a longitudinally extending duct base  14  with a longitudinally extending integral channel connector  26 , a longitudinally extending inside wall  16 , and a longitudinally extending outside wall  20 . The inside wall  16  has an inside wall top return  18 , and the outside wall top return  20  has an outside wall top return  22 . The inside wall top return  18  and the outside wall top return  20  engage and secure a removable longitudinally extending cover (not shown) for the line set duct  12 . 
         [0032]    The channel connector  26  includes a first inverted L-shaped channel member  28  and a second inverted L-shaped channel member  36  attached to the duct base  14 , extending along the length of the duct base  14 , and extending parallel to each other. Each L-shaped channel member  28  and  36  has an inverted L-shaped cross-section with channel lips  30  and  38  and an channel webs  32  and  40 . The channel webs  32  and  40  are attached to the duct base  14 . The two inverted L-shaped channel members  28  and  36  are oriented to create two outwardly facing outside channel grooves  34  and  42 . The two outside channel grooves  34  and  42  are formed by the channel clips  30  and  38 , channel webs  32  and  40 , and the duct base  14 . A center channel groove  44  is created between the channel webs  32  and  34  of the inverted L-shaped channel members  28  and  36 . 
         [0033]    A first embodiment of the invention is shown in  FIGS. 3-6 . The channel clip  100  has a generally planar and rectangular clip base  102  with a top  104  and a bottom  106 . Two legs, a first leg  112  and a second leg  122 , are attached at one side of the clip base  102  and extend downwardly. The first leg  112  and the second leg  122  have downwardly extending portions  114  and  124  and perpendicularly extending portions  116  and  126  attached to the lower ends of the downwardly extending portions  114  and  124 , which together with the bottom  106  of the clip base  102  form a first leg groove  118  and a second leg groove  128 . As used herein, the term “downwardly extending” refers to the direction toward the duct base  14 . The term “perpendicularly extending” refers to the direction that is essentially perpendicular to the downwardly extending portions of the legs and therefore essentially parallel to the clip base  102 . A third leg  132  is attached to an opposite side of the clip base  102  and extends downwardly. The third leg has a downwardly extending portion  134  and a perpendicularly extending portion  136  attached to the lower end of the downwardly extending portion  134 , which together with the bottom  106  of the clip base  102  form a third leg groove  138 . In addition, the perpendicularly extending portion  136  of the third leg  132  has a camming surface  140  distal from the bottom  106  of the clip base  102 . A tool opening  160  ( FIG. 5 ) in the clip base  102  allows a user to access the third leg  132  with a tool, such as a screwdriver, in order to release the perpendicularly extending portion  136  from the second channel lip  38  of the second L-shaped channel member  36 . The channel clip  100  has a clip collar  108  with a collar opening  110  attached to the top  104  of the clip base  102  for engaging a tie wrap or other fastener. The channel clip  100  also has a pair of friction elements, a first friction element  154  and second friction element  156 , extending downwardly from the center of the bottom  106  of the clip base  102  and dimensioned to fit within the width of the center channel groove  44  of the channel connector  26 . 
         [0034]    In operation, the first leg groove  118  and the second leg groove  128  of the first leg  112  and the second leg  122  of the channel clip  100  first engage the channel lip  30  of the first L-shaped channel member  28 . The channel clip  100  is then pushed perpendicularly toward the duct base  14  so that the camming surface  140  of the third leg  132  rides over the channel lip  38  of the second L-shaped channel member  36 . Once the camming surface  140  has passed the channel lip  38  of the second L-shaped channel member  36 , the third leg groove  138  engages the channel lip  38  of the second L-shaped channel member  36 , and the channel clip  100  is thereby slidably attached to the line set channel connector  26 . When the channel clip  100  is thus attached to the line set channel connector  26 , the first and second friction elements  154  and  156  engage the duct base  14  of the center channel groove  44  to inhibit free sliding of the channel clip  100  along the line set channel connector  26 . As previously indicated, the channel clip  100  can be removed from the line set channel connector  26  by engaging the perpendicularly extending portion  136  of the third leg  132  by means of a tool inserted through the tool opening  160  to releasing the perpendicularly extending portion  136  from the channel lip  38  of the second L-shaped channel member  36 . Once the perpendicularly extending portion  136  is disengaged from the channel clip  38  of the second L-shaped channel member  36 , the channel clip  100  is removed by disengaging the first and second legs  112  and  122  from the channel clip  30  of the first L-shaped channel member  28 . 
         [0035]    A second embodiment of the invention is shown in  FIGS. 7-10 . The channel clip  200  is similar to the channel clip  100  described above except for the addition of a release tab  258 . The channel clip  200  has a generally planar and rectangular clip base  202  with a top  204  and a bottom  206 . Two legs, a first leg  212  and a second leg  222 , are attached at one side of the clip base  202  and extend downwardly. The first leg  212  and the second leg  222  have downwardly extending portions  214  and  224  and perpendicularly extending portions  216  and  226  attached to the lower ends of the downwardly extending portions  214  and  224 , which together with the bottom  206  of the clip base  202  form a first leg groove  218  and a second leg groove  228 . A third leg  232  is attached to an opposite side of the clip base  202  and extends downwardly. The third leg has a downwardly extending portion  234  and a perpendicularly extending portion  236  attached to the lower end of the downwardly extending portion  234 , which together with the bottom  206  of the clip base  202  form a third leg groove  238 . In addition, the perpendicularly extending portion  236  of the third leg  232  has a camming surface  240  distal from the bottom  206  of the clip base  202 . The channel clip  200  has a clip collar  208  with a collar opening  210  attached to the top  204  of the clip base  202  for engaging a tie wrap or other fastener. The channel clip  200  also has a pair of friction elements, a first friction element  254  and second friction element  256 , extending downwardly from the center of the bottom  206  of the clip base  202  and dimensioned to fit within the width of the center channel groove  44  of the channel connector  26 . 
         [0036]    The release tab  258  is attached to the top  204  of the clip base  202  and is an upward extension of the third leg  232 . The release tab  258  has a top end  262  and a bottom end  264 . The bottom end  264  of the release tab is attached to the top  204  of the clip base  202  directly above the third leg  232 . By moving the top end  262  of the release tab toward the center of the clip base  202 , the torque exerted on the edge of the clip base  202  causes the third leg  232  to rotate. As the third leg  232  rotates, the perpendicularly extending portion  236  of the third leg  232  disengages from the channel lip  38  of the L-shaped second channel member  36  thereby releasing the channel clip  200  for removal. A tool opening  260  in the clip base  202  also allows a user to access the third leg  232  with a tool, such as a screwdriver, in order to release the perpendicularly extending portion  236  of the third leg  232  from the channel lip  38  of the second L-shaped channel member  36 . 
         [0037]    A third embodiment of the invention is shown in  FIGS. 11-14 . The channel clip  300  has a generally planar and rectangular clip base  302  with a top  304  and bottom  306 . Four legs, a first leg  312 , a second leg  322 , a third leg  332 , and a fourth leg  342 , are attached at each corner of the clip base  302  and extend downwardly. The legs  312 ,  322 ,  332 ,  342  have downwardly extending portions  314 ,  324 ,  334 ,  344  and perpendicularly extending portions  316 ,  326 ,  336 ,  346  attached to the lower end of the downwardly extending portions  314 ,  324 ,  334 ,  344 , which together with the bottom  306  the clip base  302  form first, second, third, and fourth leg grooves  318 ,  328 ,  338 , and  348 , respectively. The perpendicularly extending portions  316 ,  326 ,  336 ,  346  of the legs  312 ,  322 ,  332 ,  342  have camming surfaces  320 ,  330 ,  340 ,  350  distal from the clip base  302 . Tool openings  360  in the clip base  302  allows a user to access the four legs  312 ,  322 ,  332 ,  342  with a tool, such as a screwdriver, in order to release the perpendicularly extending portions  316 ,  326 ,  336 ,  346  of the four legs  312 ,  322 ,  332 ,  342  from the channel lip  38  of the second L-shaped channel member  36 . The channel clip  300  has a clip collar  308  with a collar opening  310  attached to the top  304  of the clip base  302  for engaging a tie wrap or other fastener. The channel clip  300  also has a pair of friction elements, a first friction element  354  and second friction element  356 , extending downwardly from the center of the bottom  306  of the clip base  304  and dimensioned to fit within the width of the center channel groove  44  of the channel connector  26 . 
         [0038]    In operation, the channel clip  300  is pushed perpendicularly toward the duct base  14  so that the camming surfaces  320 ,  330 ,  340 ,  350  of the four legs  312 ,  322 ,  332 ,  342  ride over the channel lips  30 ,  38  of the both L-shaped channel members  28 ,  36 . Once the camming surfaces  320 ,  330 ,  340 ,  350  have passed the channel lips  30 ,  38  of the channel L-shaped members  28 ,  36 , the leg grooves  318 ,  328 ,  338 ,  348  engage the channel bases  30 ,  38  of the L-shaped channel members  28 ,  36 , and the channel clip  300  is thereby slidably attached to the line set channel connector  26 . When the channel clip  300  is thus attached to the line set channel connector  26 , the first and second friction elements  354  and  356  engage the duct base  14  of the center channel groove  44  to inhibit free sliding of the channel clip  300  along the line set channel connector  26 . 
         [0039]    A fourth embodiment of the invention is shown in  FIGS. 15-18 . The channel clip  400  has a generally planar and rectangular clip base  402  with a top  404  and bottom  406 . Two legs, a first leg  412  and a second leg  422 , are attached at diagonal corners of the clip base  402  and extend downwardly. The first leg  412  and the second leg  422  have downwardly extending portions  414 ,  424  and perpendicularly extending portions  416 ,  426  attached to the lower end of the downwardly extending portions  414 ,  424 , which together with the clip base  402  form a first leg groove  418  and a second leg groove  428 . The perpendicularly extending portions  416 ,  426  of the legs  412 ,  422  have camming surfaces  420 ,  430  distal from the clip base  402 . The channel clip  400  also has downwardly extending stubs  432 ,  442  at the corners of the clip base  402  diagonally opposite the legs  412 ,  422 . Tool openings  460  in the clip base  402  allows a user to access the two legs  412 ,  422  with a tool, such as a screwdriver, in order to release the perpendicularly extending portions  416 ,  426  of the legs  412 ,  422  from the channel lips  30 ,  38  of the L-shaped channel members  28 ,  36 . The channel clip  400  has a clip collar  408  with a collar opening  410  attached to the top  404  of the clip base  402  for engaging a tie wrap or other fastener. 
         [0040]    In operation, the channel clip  400  is pushed perpendicularly toward the duct base  14  so that the camming surfaces  420 ,  430  of the two legs  412 ,  422  ride over the channel bases  30 ,  38  of the both L-shaped channel members  28 ,  36 . Once the camming surfaces  420 ,  430  have passed the channel lips  30 ,  38  of the L-shaped channel members  28 ,  36 , the leg grooves  418 ,  428  engage the channel lips  30 ,  38  of the L-shaped channel members  28 ,  36 , and the channel clip  400  is thereby slidably attached to the line set channel connector  26 . The stubs  432 ,  442  engage the L-shaped channel members  28 ,  36  to keep the channel clip  400  from rotating around an axis perpendicular to the duct base  14 . 
         [0041]    While this invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that variations and modifications can be affected within the spirit and scope of the invention as described herein and as described in the appended claims.