Patent ID: 8623109

Claim:
A collapsible air cleaner filter comprising: a collapsible pleated media filter having a first end, a second end, and a filter media extending between the first and second ends, wherein the filter media includes a plurality of pleats having a first plurality of flexible width portions and a second plurality of flexible width portions, the filter media having a width extending between and including the first and second plurality of flexible width portions; a first end member coupled to and extending along the first end of the collapsible pleated media filter, the first end member having a structural body with a cross sectional shape generally defining at least one outwardly projecting first end foot member, the at least one outwardly projecting first end foot member at least partially defining at least one first end retaining channel, wherein the at least one first end retaining channel is adapted to receive a portion of a first rail provided in a first portion of an air duct; and a second end member coupled to and extending along the second end of the collapsible pleated media filter, the second end member having a structural body with a cross sectional shape generally defining at least one outwardly projecting second end foot member, the at least one outwardly projecting second end foot member at least partially defining at least one second end retaining channel, wherein the at least one second end retaining channel is adapted to receive a portion of a second rail provided in a second portion of an air duct and wherein the collapsible pleated media filter is adapted to be expanded to an open state by pulling the first and second end members apart to engage the first and second rails.