Patent ID: 7399006

Claim:
An air handling system comprising: a first ductwork component; a second ductwork component coupled to the first ductwork component to define a joint; and a ring clamp secured about the joint, the ring clamp including: a band provided apart from the ductwork components and extending continuously between a receptor end, and a tab end, the band defining an interior surface and an exterior surface, at least one projection formed on the exterior surface adjacent the receptor end, at least one projection formed on the interior surface at the tab end, wherein the receptor end defines opposing guides configured to slidingly receive the tab end, and wherein the tab end defines a transverse width, and further wherein each of the opposing guides includes a side wall extending from the exterior surface and a top wall extending from the side wall, and further wherein a distance between the side walls is greater than the transverse width; wherein the projections interlock to maintain a position of the ring clamp about the joint.