Patent ID: 8109539

Claim:
A device for connecting to a duct, the duct being comprised of a duct open end and a duct exterior surface adjacent to the duct open end, wherein the size and shape of the duct open end and the duct exterior surface are adapted to be variable within a predetermined range, the device comprising: (a) a hollow sealing member further comprised of an interior surface and an exterior surface, each bounded by a wider seal inlet opening and a narrower seal outlet opening, wherein the wider seal inlet opening is adapted to receive the at least one duct, and a portion of the sealing member interior surface is adapted to expand to conform to and be positioned adjacent to the duct exterior surface for ducts having a size and shape of duct open end and duct exterior surface within the predetermined range; and (b) a plurality of support members adapted to assist in holding the device operatively in place relative to the duct, wherein the support members are further comprised of: (i) a perimeter support member positioned on a surface of the sealing member; (ii) a longitudinal support member extending from the perimeter support member; and (iii) a radial support member extending from the longitudinal support member into the proximity of the exterior surface of the sealing member.