Patent ID: 8429803

Claim:
A method of connecting two pieces of HVAC circular ductwork during installation of the HVAC ductwork comprising: (a) providing a plurality of circular ductwork, the circular ductwork having: (i) a female end; (ii) a male end for connecting with a corresponding female end on another piece of circular ductwork so that two pieces of ductwork can be connected; (iii) a push-lock female transverse positioning lock on the female end including multiple dimples spaced less than eight inches apart around the female end that can serve as fastener starters or as a guide for a fastener; and (iv) a push-lock male transverse positioning lock on the male end capable of engaging with corresponding female transverse positioning lock on another piece of circular ductwork; (b) inserting the male end on a first piece of the provided circular ductwork into a corresponding female end on a second piece of the provided ductwork; (c) engaging the push-lock male transverse lock on the male end of the first piece of provided circular ductwork with the corresponding push-lock female transverse positioning lock on the female end of the second piece of provided circular ductwork thereby connecting two pieces of circular ductwork so that the two pieces of circular ductwork do not slide apart and become disconnected without disengagement of the push-lock male transverse positioning lock on the male end of the first piece of provided circular ductwork from the push-lock female transverse positioning lock on the female end of the second piece of provided circular ductwork; and (d) inserting a fastener through at least one dimple and into the male end.