Patent ID: 7712787

Claim:
A connecting device in combination with two ends of insulated duct for heating, ventilation or air conditioning, said device comprising a monolithic element having a longitudinal axis and a transverse axis, the element comprising a first engagement section, a second engagement section and an intermediate section between the first and second engagement sections, the first and second engagement sections being spaced-apart along the longitudinal axis, the first engagement section comprising a plurality of first integral engagement projections, the second engagement section comprising a plurality of second integral engagement projections, the intermediate section having a generally transversely extending bending axis about which a portion of the element is bendable, the intermediate section having a plurality of apertures which are spaced-apart along the transverse bending axis, each aperture having a longitudinal axis, each aperture longitudinal axis being aligned with said bending axis, the insulated duct having a structure in section comprising a layer of insulating material sandwiched between an outer metal sheet and an inner metal sheet, the two ends of insulated duct being a first end and a second end, the first projections extending into the first end, the second projections extending into the second end so that the device connects the two ends of insulated duct together, the two ends of insulated duct coming together to form an angle, the device being bent along the bending axis to conform to said angle, each projection being a tooth, each tooth having a thickness extending longitudinally with respect to the device and a width extending transversely with respect to the device, each tooth width being substantially greater than each tooth thickness, each tooth extending, with respect to duct, through the outer metal sheet and into the layer of insulating material but not into the inner metal sheet, wherein said plurality of first integral engagement projections extend from a first end of the element and are bent over to provide a first row of teeth, and wherein said plurality of second integral engagement projections extend from a second end of the element and are bent over to provide a second row of teeth.