Patent ID: 7431344

Claim:
An automobile air intake apparatus comprising: an intake defining an intake groove; a flexible conduit including an interior, an exterior and an end, the exterior defining a conduit groove around the end, the conduit groove reflected as a projection on the interior, the projection seated within the intake groove, thereby mating the conduit to the intake in a fixed position; a discontinuous interlock ring positioned over the conduit end and in the conduit groove without exerting a substantial clamping force on the conduit, the discontinuous interlock ring including opposing ends; and a clamp positioned over the end to clamp the conduit end to the intake, wherein the clamp compresses the discontinuous interlock ring into the conduit groove to drive the conduit projection into sealing engagement with the intake groove on the intake, the ends of the discontinuous interlock ring being brought nearer one another as the projection is driven into sealing engagement with the intake groove on the intake, wherein the clamp continues to compress the discontinuous interlock ring within the conduit groove and remains positioned over the end of the conduit to maintain a connection between the end and the intake as the intake intakes air.