Patent Publication Number: US-11662044-B2

Title: Ducting adapter

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional patent Application Ser. No. 62/966,583, filed on Jan. 28, 2020 and U.S. Provisional patent application Ser. No. 63/114,130, filed on Nov. 16, 2020, which are both incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to adapters that can be used to transition from rigid ducting or soft ducting to soft ducting. 
     Description of the Related Art 
     Heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems use ducting to transmit air from a conditioning device, such as a heater, or air conditioner, to vent outlets for transmission of the air to a space. Closer to the conditioning device, the ducting is relatively large and is formed by a rigid material, such as bent sheet aluminum. As the ducting gets farther from the conditioning device and branches off in different directions, the ducting size is reduced. Oftentimes, due to obstructions in the way of the reduced size ducting, it is easier and more efficient to use flexible ducting to maneuver around the obstructions. 
     It would be beneficial to provide collars, adapters, and couplings that can connect a length of flexible ducting to rigid ducting, as well as to connect two lengths of flexible ducting to each other. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter. 
     A collar for connecting ducting components is provided. The collar includes a tubular wall having a line end and a free end, an annular flange extending radially outwardly from the line end, and a plurality of retaining tabs extending outwardly from the free end. A plurality of locking members are provided at the line end. The locking members are configured to releasably secure the flange to an adjacent member. 
     In one embodiment, the present invention provides a collar for connecting flexible ducting to rigid ducting. 
     In an alternative embodiment, the present invention provides a coupler for connecting a first flexible ducting to a second flexible ducting as shown and described herein. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and constitute part of this specification, illustrate the presently preferred embodiments of the invention, and, together with the general description given above and the detailed description given below, serve to explain the features of the invention. In the drawings: 
         FIG.  1    is a perspective view of a collar according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention connecting a rigid air conduit to a flexible conduit; 
         FIG.  2    is a perspective view of the collar of  FIG.  1   , just prior to installation on the rigid air conduit; 
         FIG.  3    is a perspective view of the collar of  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIG.  4    is a side elevational view of the collar of  FIG.  3   , 
         FIG.  5    is a top plan view of the collar of  FIG.  3   ; 
         FIG.  6    is a perspective view of the collar of  FIG.  3   , with locking toggles removed; 
         FIG.  7    is a side elevational view of the collar of  FIG.  6   ; 
         FIG.  7 A  is a partial top plan view of the collar of  FIG.  6   ; 
         FIG.  7 B  is a bottom perspective view of the collar of  FIG.  3   ; 
         FIG.  8    is a sectional view of the collar of  FIG.  5   , taken along lines  8 - 8  of  FIG.  5   ; 
         FIG.  9    is a front perspective view of a takeoff toggle used with the locking toggle of  FIG.  3   ; 
         FIG.  10    is a rear perspective view of the takeoff toggle of  FIG.  9   ; 
         FIG.  11    is a side elevational view of the takeoff toggle of  FIG.  9   ; 
         FIG.  12    is a perspective view of a takeoff clip used with the takeoff toggle of  FIGS.  9 - 11   ; 
         FIG.  12 A  is a bottom perspective view of the collar of  FIG.  3    in a stored position showing interlocking takeoff clips; 
         FIG.  13    is a sectional view of the takeoff clip of  FIG.  12   ; 
         FIG.  14    is a side elevational view of two couplers coupling two flexible conduits according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG.  15    is a perspective view of one of the couplers of  FIG.  14   ; 
         FIG.  16    is a side elevational view of the coupler of  FIG.  15   ; 
         FIG.  17    is a bottom perspective view of the coupler of  FIG.  15   ; 
         FIG.  18    is a perspective view of the coupler of  FIG.  15   , with latch assemblies removed; 
         FIG.  19    is a perspective view of a pivot arm used in the latch assembly of  FIG.  15   ; 
         FIG.  20    is a side elevational view of the latch assembly of  FIG.  19   ; 
         FIG.  21    is a perspective view of a latching arm used in the latch assembly of  FIG.  15   ; 
         FIG.  22    is a side elevational view of the latching arm of  FIG.  21   ; and 
         FIG.  23    is a front elevational view of the latching arm of  FIG.  21   . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In the drawings, like numerals indicate like elements throughout. Certain terminology is used herein for convenience only and is not to be taken as a limitation on the present invention. The terminology includes the words specifically mentioned, derivatives thereof and words of similar import. The embodiments illustrated below are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. These embodiments are chosen and described to best explain the principle of the invention and its application and practical use and to enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention. 
     Reference herein to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment can be included in at least one embodiment of the invention. The appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, nor are separate or alternative embodiments necessarily mutually exclusive of other embodiments. The same applies to the term “implementation.” 
     As used in this application, the word “exemplary” is used herein to mean serving as an example, instance, or illustration. Any aspect or design described herein as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other aspects or designs. Rather, use of the word exemplary is intended to present concepts in a concrete fashion. 
     The word “about” is used herein to include a value of +/−10 percent of the numerical value modified by the word “about” and the word “generally” is used herein to mean “without regard to particulars or exceptions.” 
     Additionally, the term “or” is intended to mean an inclusive “or” rather than an exclusive “or”. That is, unless specified otherwise, or clear from context, “X employs A or B” is intended to mean any of the natural inclusive permutations. That is, if X employs A; X employs B; or X employs both A and B, then “X employs A or B” is satisfied under any of the foregoing instances. In addition, the articles “a” and “an” as used in this application and the appended claims should generally be construed to mean “one or more” unless specified otherwise or clear from context to be directed to a singular form. 
     Unless explicitly stated otherwise, each numerical value and range should be interpreted as being approximate as if the word “about” or “approximately” preceded the value of the value or range. 
     The use of figure numbers and/or figure reference labels in the claims is intended to identify one or more possible embodiments of the claimed subject matter in order to facilitate the interpretation of the claims. Such use is not to be construed as necessarily limiting the scope of those claims to the embodiments shown in the corresponding figures. 
     It should be understood that the steps of the exemplary methods set forth herein are not necessarily required to be performed in the order described, and the order of the steps of such methods should be understood to be merely exemplary. Likewise, additional steps may be included in such methods, and certain steps may be omitted or combined, in methods consistent with various embodiments of the present invention. 
     Although the elements in the following method claims, if any, are recited in a particular sequence with corresponding labeling, unless the claim recitations otherwise imply a particular sequence for implementing some or all of those elements, those elements are not necessarily intended to be limited to being implemented in that particular sequence. 
     The present invention provides adapters and couplers for coupling flexible conduit for HVAC systems. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  1 - 13   , a start collar  100  (“collar  100 ”) is shown. Collar  100  is used to branch off a hard trunk line  50  with a flexible conduit  52 . A hole  54  is cut into trunk line  50  and collar  100  is releasably attached to trunk line  50  at the hole  54  so that air can flow between trunk line  50  and flexible conduit  52  through collar  100 . 
     Referring to  FIGS.  3 - 7 A , collar  100  is generally tubular in shape with a wall  101  and includes an annular flange  102  extending radially outwardly at a line end  104  of wall  101 . A radial gasket  103  extends around the outside of wall  101 . A free end  105  of wall  101  is located distal of flange  102 . A flexible gasket  108  (shown in  FIGS.  1  and  2   ) can be attached to flange  102  to seal any air leaks between trunk line  50  and collar  100 . Collar  100  can be constructed from a rigid polymer or other non-metallic material. 
       FIG.  7 B  shows a bottom view of flange  102 . Flange  102  includes an outer lip  103  that extends around a periphery thereof and a plurality of arcuately spaced bosses  107  extend outwardly therefrom radially inwardly of outer lip  103 . Outer lip  103  and bosses  107  extend the same distance from flange  102  and form hard stops to prevent the gasket  108  from being over-compressed. 
     As shown in  FIG.  7   , a plurality of locating pins  112  extend away from flange  102 . Locating pins  112  are radially spaced about 90 degrees from each other. Locating pins  112  are used to engage locking toggles  120 . While four locating pins  112  are shown, those skilled in the art will recognize that more or less than four lock pins can be used. 
     A plurality of hinge supports  116  extend radially inwardly from wall  101  Each hinge support  116  supports a respective one of locking toggles  120  so that locking toggles  120  can pivot about a hinge pin  122  on each hinge support  116  between a release position wherein trunk line  50  is not securely fastened to collar  100  and a locking position wherein trunk line  50  is securely fastened to collar  100 . Hinge pin  122  extends outwardly from opposing sides of hinge support  116 . 
     As shown in  FIG.  5   , four locking toggles  120  are provided, although those skilled in the art will recognize that more or less than four locking toggles  120  can be provided. As a general rule, in this exemplary embodiment, the number of locating pins  112 , hinge supports  116  and toggles  120  are the same and all are spaced about 90 degrees apart from each other, with hinge supports  116  aligned longitudinally with locating pins  112 . 
     Referring to  FIGS.  9 - 11   , locking toggles  120  include a takeoff toggle  124  that has a pivot end  126  that pivotally connects to hinge pin  122  and a lever end  128  that extends away from pivot end  126 . Lever end  128  is used by a user to manipulate locking toggle  120  and can have at least a slight taper to allow a user&#39;s finger (not shown) to unlock locking toggle  120 . 
     Pivot end  126  includes an open slot  130  into which hinge pin  122  is inserted. Slot  130  includes a narrowed portion  131  that allows hinge pin  122  to snap into slot  130  but prevents pivot end  126  from pulling away from hinge pin  122 . A central pivot portion  132  is located between slot  130  and lever end  128 . Central pivot portion  132  includes a pair of keyed slots  134  that are formed in opposing sides of central pivot portion  132 . A ramp  136  extends along each side of lever end  128  to a respective slot  134 . Ramps  136  allow a takeoff clip  140  to be connected to a respective locking toggle  120 . 
     Referring to  FIGS.  12  and  13   , takeoff clip  140  has a pivot end  142  and a locking end  144 , distal from pivot end  142 . Pivot end  142  includes a pair of parallel arms  146  with pivot tabs  148  that extend toward each other. Pivot tabs  148  each include a key  150  that extends outwardly therefrom. Pivot tabs  148  slide along a respective ramp  136  and pop into a respective slot  134 . Keys  150  prevent pivot tabs  148  from popping out of keyed slots  134 . 
     Locking end  144  includes a proximal end  156  that extends generally co-planar with arms  146  and a distal end  158  that extends generally perpendicular to proximal end  156 . Proximal end  156  provides a length of clip  140  so that distal end  158  can be moved beyond gasket  108  and locating pin  112 . Distal end  158  has a slightly curved face  160  for engagement with trunk line  50 . Face  160  flattens out when takeoff clip  140  is clamped to hard trunk line  50 . Distal end  158  also includes a generally rectangular slot  162  into which locating pin  112  can extend when locking toggle  120  is moved to the locking position. Reinforcing ribs  164  extend around slot  162  to provide structural strength to distal end  158 . 
     Outer notches  165  on an outer side of face  160  of a takeoff clip  140  engage with inner notches  166  on an inner side of face  160  of an adjacent takeoff clip  140 , as shown in  FIG.  12 A  to allow the takeoff clips  140  to clip together in a folded position for storage and ease of installation of coupler  100  onto trunk line  50 . 
     A plurality of retaining tabs  170  are provided on free end  105  of wall  101  and extend radially outwardly of wall  101 . In an exemplary embodiment, two retaining tabs  170  are shown and are spaced 180 degrees around wall  101  from each other. Retaining tabs  170  are used to help retain flexible conduit  52  onto collar  100 . 
     Retaining tabs  170  includes a trapezoidally shaped body  172  that extends upwardly and radially outwardly from wall  101 . A radially inward sidewall  174  is flush with an inner side of wall  101  and a radially outward sidewall  176  extends radially outwardly from wall  101 . Sidewall  176  is tapered radially outwardly from top to bottom such that sidewall  176  is radially closer to wall  101  at the top of sidewall  176  and radially farther from wall  101  at a bottom of sidewall  176 . This feature prevents flex duct  52  from sliding off free end  105  of collar  100 . 
     To use collar  100 , hole  54  is cut into trunk line  50  (see  FIG.  2   ). It is desired that hole  54  is slightly larger the inner perimeter of collar  100  so that Locating pins  112  extend into hole  54 . Locking toggles  120  are moved to the interior of collar  100  and collar  100  is placed over hole  54  such that gasket  108  surrounds hole  54 . Each locking toggle  120  is pivoted about hinge support  116  such that distal end  158  of locking end  144  pivots into trunk line  50  at the perimeter of hole  54 . 
     Pivot end  142  is pivoted toward wall  101 . As pivot end  142  is pivoted, arms  146  are moved upward and toward wall  101 , moving distal end  158  against trunk line  50  around hole  54  so that face  160  engages the interior of trunk line  50  and forces gasket  108  against the exterior of trunk line  50 . As face  160  moves toward trunk line  50 , locating pin  112  is inserted into slot  162 , further securing collar  100  onto trunk line  50 . 
     After collar  100  is secured to trunk line  50 , flexible conduit  52  is slid over retaining tabs  170  and secured to wall  101  of collar  100 , such as, for example, with zip ties or other suitable fasteners. 
     In the event that flexible conduit  54  is not long enough to reach a desired location, an additional flexible conduit  56  can be coupled to the free end of flexible conduit  52  using couplers  200 ,  200 ′ shown in  FIGS.  14 - 23   . A first coupler  200  is fixed to free ends of conduit  52 , with coupler  200 ′ being fixed to an adjacent end of a second flexible conduit (not shown). Couplers  200 ,  200 ′ are then coupled to each other. 
     Couplers  200 ,  200 ′ are identical, so only coupler  200  will be described. Referring to  FIGS.  15 - 18   , coupler  200  is generally tubular in shape with a wall  201  and includes a flange  202  at a coupling end  204  of wall  201 . A free end  205  of wall  201  is located distal of flange  202 . A pair of diametrically spaced locating tabs  206  extend from inside wall  201  away from flange  202 . Locating tabs  206  are used to align coupler  200  ( FIG.  17   ) with coupler  200 ′ ( FIG.  18   ) by extending into coupler  200 ′ when couplers  200 ,  200 ′ are placed face-to-face with gaskets  208  facing each other. A flexible gasket  208  is attached to flange  202  to seal any air leaks between couplers  200 ,  200 ′ when couplers  200 ,  200 ′ are placed face-to-face with each other. 
     Flange  202  includes a rim  209  that extends around a perimeter of flange  202  and a plurality of latch ribs  210  (shown in  FIG.  18   ), all distal from gasket  208 . Latch ribs  210  are used to retain a latch assembly  230  that is used to secure coupler  200  to coupler  200 ′ and vice versa. As shown in  FIG.  18   , two sets of latch ribs  210  are provided 180 degrees around flange  202  from each other, although those skilled in the art will recognize that more than two latch ribs  210  and two latch assemblies  230  can be used. Each latch rib  210  includes a pivot pin  212  on which latch assembly  23  Pivot pin  212  has progressively larger diameters  221   a ,  212   b.    
     Referring to  FIGS.  15 - 23   , latch assembly  230  includes a pivot arm  240  and a latching arm  260  that is pivotally attached to pivot arm  240 . Pivot arm  240  includes an elongate C-channel  242  that is sized to slide over pivot pin  212  at portion  212   a  and slide axially to portion  212   b , where pivot arm  240  is locked into place so that pivot arm  240  can pivot at least partially around pivot pin  212 . A body  244  extends generally perpendicular relative to a longitudinal axis of channel  242 . Body  244  includes a pair of opposed ramps  246  that each extends in an arcuate direction from a top face  247  of body  244  along one side of body  244  to a respective keyed slot  248 . Ramps  246  allow latching arm  260  to be connected to a respective pivot arm  240 . 
     Latching arm  260  pivots with respect to pivot arm  240  to engage the flange  202  of the coupler  200 ′, locking couplers  200 ,  200 ′ to each other. Latching arm  260  includes pair of parallel arms  266  with pivot tabs  268  that extend toward each other. Pivot tabs  268  each include a key  270  that extends outwardly therefrom. Pivot tabs  268  slide along a respective ramp  246  and pop into a respective slot  248 . Keys  270  prevent pivot tabs  268  from popping out of slots  248 . 
     A hooked retainer  272  connects arms  266  to each other, distal from pivot tabs  268 . Retainer  272  includes a bulbed free end  274 , forming a pocket  276  at the inside crook of retainer  272 . Hooked retainer  272  engages flange  202  of coupler  200 ′ and rim  209  keeps hooked retainer  272  from radially sliding off flange  202  of coupler  200 ′. 
     Referring back to  FIGS.  15 - 18   , a plurality of retaining tabs  206  are provided on free end  205  of wall  201  and extend radially outwardly of wall  201 . In an exemplary embodiment, two retaining tabs  206  are shown and are spaced 180 degrees around wall  201  from each other. Retaining tabs  206  are used to help retain flexible conduit  52  onto collar  200 . 
     To use couplers  200 ,  200 ′, latch assemblies  230  are connected to flange  202  by sliding C-channel  242  along pivot pin  212  from portion  212   a  to portion  212   c  so that C-channel  242  is retained over pivot pin  212 , pivotally connecting latch assembly  230  to flange  202 . This is done for both latch assemblies  230  on each of couplers  200 ,  200 ′. 
     Couplers  200 ,  200 ′ are then placed face-to-face so that gaskets  208  engage each other, as shown in  FIG.  14   . Retaining tabs  206  from coupler  200  extend into coupler  200 ′, while retaining tabs  206  from coupler  200 ′ extend into coupler  200 . In an exemplary embodiment, couplers  200 ,  200 ′ are rotated relative to each other so that retaining tabs  206  from coupler  200  are about 90 degrees around the perimeter of coupler  200  from retaining tabs  206  on coupler  200 ′. 
     Latching arm  260  is pivoted over flange  202  of coupler  200 ′ so that bulbed free end  274  of retainer  272  is between wall  201  and rim  209 . Body  244  of pivot arm  240  is pivoted downwardly toward flange  202  so that free end  274  of retainer  272  clamps down on flange  202  of coupler  200 ′. The process is repeated for latch assembly  230  on coupler  200 ′ so that coupler  200  is secured to coupler  200 ′. 
     It will be further understood that various changes in the details, materials, and arrangements of the parts which have been described and illustrated in order to explain the nature of this invention may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as expressed in the following claims.