Patent ID: 6837787

Claim:
In combination with an air handling system of a heating, ventilating and air conditioning system, including a supply duct, a diffuser and a length of flexible duct interconnecting same and including an arcuate bend, the improvement of a sleeve assembly, which comprises: a) a frame including: (i) opposite first and second ends; (ii) an inner radius arc extending between said ends; (iii) an arcuate longitudinal axis extending between said ends in generally parallel relation with respect to said arc; (iv) a plurality of annular rings, including a first end ring located adjacent to said frame first end and a second end ring located adjacent to said frame second end; (v) each said ring lying generally in a plane perpendicular to said longitudinal axis; (vi) a passage extending between and open at said ends, said passage receiving said flexible duct; and (vii) each said ring including first and second sections; and b) first and second fastener subassemblies each associated with a respective ring and adapted for selectively securing said ring sections together.