Patent ID: 8870993

Claim:
An air filter coupling device, comprising: an elongated member comprising: a substantially planar first side; a substantially planar second side positioned substantially opposite the first side; a third side coupling the first and second sides; and a fourth side positioned substantially opposite the third side, wherein the fourth side couples the first and second sides; an elongated first cap coupled to the third side in a substantially orthogonal orientation relative to the elongated member, wherein at least a first portion extending along a longitudinal axis of the first cap extends beyond the first side and at least a second portion extending along a longitudinal axis of the first cap extends beyond the second side; an elongated second cap coupled to the fourth side in a substantially orthogonal orientation relative to the elongated member, wherein at least a first portion extending along a longitudinal axis of the second cap extends beyond the first side and at least a second portion extending along a longitudinal axis of the second cap extends beyond the second side; wherein a first distance between the first cap and the second cap adjacent the first side of the elongated member is substantially equivalent to or greater than a first width of a first air filter on the first side of the elongated member; wherein a second distance between the first cap and the second cap adjacent the second side of the elongated member is substantially equivalent to or greater than a second width of a second air filter on the second side of the elongated member; wherein a third distance between the first cap and the second cap adjacent each first end portion of the first portions of the first and second caps is less than the width of the first air filter such that when the first air filter is positioned between the first portions of the first cap and the second cap on the first side of the elongated member the first end portions inhibit removal of the first air filter; wherein a fourth distance between the first cap and the second cap adjacent each second end portion, opposite the first end portion, of the second portions of the first and second caps is less than the width of the second air filter such that when the second air filter is positioned between the first cap and the second cap on the second side of the elongated member the second end portions inhibit removal of the second air filter; and wherein the first and second end portions of the first and second caps are turned away from each other at an angle such that a fourth and fifth distance between the first and second end portions of the first and second caps are greater than the first width of the first air filter and the second width of the second air filter respectively such that insertion, during use, of the first and second air filters is facilitated; and wherein the air filter coupling device inhibits conveyance of materials between the first air filter and the second air filter.