Pipe joints or couplings – Packed – Sleeve
Reexamination Certificate
2000-01-20
2001-11-27
Dayoan, B. (Department: 3627)
Pipe joints or couplings
Packed
Sleeve
C285S110000, C285S331000, C285S910000, C277S647000, C277S648000, C277S650000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06322111
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to couplings and/or connectors for air ducts.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems utilize air ducts to distribute and transport air from one location to another. HVAC systems are used in residential, commercial and industrial applications. The vast majority of HVAC systems are used inside of buildings; some however are used for outside applications.
In a typical installation, ducts extend from a plenum to registers which are located in one or more rooms. The ducts can be of various lengths and diameters, and typically include turns or radiuses.
One type of air duct is made from galvanized sheet metal. The air ducts are in essence pipes. When two segments of air ducts are coupled together, a joint is formed.
It is desirable to seal the joint in order to prevent air leakage. Leaking joints reduce the overall efficiency of the HVAC system.
In the prior art, there are several ways to seal a joint coupling air ducts. By far, the least preferred is the use of duct tape. The adhesive on the tape degrades over time and with high temperatures, resulting in a loss of seal.
Duct mastic is a compound that is applied to a joint. When the mastic dries, it provides a satisfactory seal. Unfortunately, the application of duct mastic around the entire circumference of the joint is difficult to accomplish, especially when the duct is located adjacent to a ceiling, where access is difficult. Thus, the cost for sealing joints with mastic can be high due to the amount of labor involved. Furthermore, some duct mastic gives off fumes which contribute to poor air quality and even to sick building syndrome.
Still another prior seal is provided by Lindab, and is described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,050,703 and 5,531,460. A circumferential rubber seal is coupled to each end of air duct pipes. The two ends are joined together by a collar, which contacts the seal in each pipe. This type of seal works well. However, it is expensive to make. In addition, the seal is relatively fragile. Once the collar is placed over the seal, removing the collar may cause the seal to rip.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for sealing a joint between two air ducts.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for sealing a joint between air ducts, which apparatus is inexpensive to make and easy to install.
The present invention provides a coupling connector for joining and sealing air ducts. The coupling connector has a band with first and second edges. The band has inside and outside surfaces. The inside and outside surfaces extend between the first and second edges. There is gasket material having one portion in contact with either the inside surface or the outside surface of the band. The one portion has a stop bead and seals that extend radially away from the band. The stop bead is between the seals. The gasket material has another portion that wraps around the first and second edges of the band.
The coupling connector allows two ends of an air duct to be quickly and simply joined together in an airtight fashion. In addition, because the coupling connector utilizes a band and gaskets around the band, no special sheet metal tooling is required in order to roll the edges of the coupling connector or the air ducts.
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the one portion of the gasket material increases in thickness toward the bead. This assists in providing a seal between the coupling connector and the air ducts and in addition snugs the joint by providing a tight fit between the coupling connector and the air ducts.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the one portion has two seals extending therefrom on each side of the bead.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the other portion of the gasket material that wraps around the first and second edges of the band forms gasket material edges that are beveled. The beveled edges of the gasket material ease the insertion of the coupling connector into air ducts or the insertion of the air ducts into the coupling connector.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the band first and second edges have diameters that are equal. Such a coupling connector would be used to couple two air ducts of equal diameter. However, the coupling connectors can be used on air ducts of unequal diameter, wherein the band would be an expander or reducer.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the gasket material comprises first and second gaskets, with the first gasket being wrapped around the first edge of the band and the second gasket being wrapped around the second edge of the band. Each of the first and second gaskets have a respective bead.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the bead of the first gasket abuts against the bead of the second gasket.
In accordance with still another aspect of the present invention, each of the first and second gaskets have the one portion, with the one portions increasing in thickness toward the respective beads.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, each of the first and second gaskets have the one portion, with the one portions having two seals extending therefrom.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the first and second gaskets each have an edge where the gasket material wraps around the respective first or second edge of the band, the edges of the first and second gaskets being beveled.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, an air duct installation is provided. The installation comprises first and second air ducts, each having an end. A band has first and second edges and an inside surface and an outside surface. The inside and outside surfaces extend between the first and second edges. The first air duct and the first edge of the band are in telescoping relation to one another. The second air duct and the second edge of the band are also in telescoping relation to one another. The ends of the first and second air ducts are adjacent to each other. A first gasket is interposed between the first air duct and the band and wraps around the first edge. A second gasket is interposed between the second air duct and the band and wraps around the second edge. The first and second gaskets each have seals in contact with the respective first and second air ducts. At least one bead is connected to one of the first and second gaskets and is interposed between the ends of the first and second air ducts.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the first and second gaskets of the installation each have a thickness. The respective thicknesses increase toward the bead.
The present invention also provides a coupling connector for joining and sealing air ducts. The coupling connector comprises a band having first and second edges and having an inside surface and an outside surface. The inside and outside surfaces extend between the first and second edges. There is also a first gasket and a second gasket. Each of the first and second gaskets have a first portion in contact with one of the inside or outside surfaces of the band. The first portion of each of the first and second gaskets have a stop bead and a seal that extends radially away from the band. The first and second gaskets each have a second portion that is in contact with the other of the inside or outside surfaces of the band. The first and second portions of the first gasket are connected around the band first edge by a first connecting portion and the first and second portions of the second gasket are connected around the band second edge by a second connecting portion.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention of the coupling connector, the first portion of each of the first and second gaskets decrease in thickness from the bead.
In accordance with another aspect of the coupling connector invention, each of the first a
Dayoan B.
Lewis & Lambert, L.L.L.P.
Lugo Carlos
Mantooth Geoffrey A.
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