Patent ID: 8038175

Claim:
In combination with a structure including a suspended ceiling and an overhead structure with a plenum located therebetween, the improvement of a sound attenuating duct system comprising: an air collection return grill mounted in the suspended ceiling and including a cylindrical outlet collar; a length of flexible duct having a bend forming an inner radius (IR) and an outer radius (OR) of said duct bend; said duct having a proximate end receiving said return grill outlet collar and a distal end open to said plenum; a duct support having a spine with opposite first and second ends; said spine having a curvature generally corresponding to the inner radius (IR) of said duct bend; said duct support having first and second cross pieces mounted on said spine first and second ends and adapted for partially encircling said duct on either side of said bend; each said cross piece including a pair of arms extending laterally outwardly therefrom; each said arm terminating at a tab angled outwardly with respect to said arm and including a slot; first and second connecting devices each adapted for connecting a respective said cross piece to the duct on either side of the bend, said connecting devices comprising locking ties extending through said arm tab slots; a pair of ribs generally following the IR and extending between said spine ends, each said rib including an inner edge; a pair of rib end subassemblies each located at a respective spine end and including an indentation receiving a respective connecting device; each said rib end subassembly including proximate and distal panels each extending from said spine and projecting inwardly beyond said rib inner edges; each said rib end subassembly including proximate and distal pairs of panel stiffener extensions each generally coplanar with a respective rib and connected to a respective rib and a respective panel; each said rib end subassembly including a pair of gussets each extending laterally from a respective rib and connected to a respective arm; first and second connecting devices comprising locking ties, each said locking tie being adapted for connecting a respective said support end to the duct on either side of the bend; said locking tie on said duct first end securing said support device and said first duct end to said return grill outlet collar; and a hanger strap attached to the overhead structure and encircling and supporting said flexible duct distally of said support device.