AU2018264027A1

AU2018264027A1 - Improved Duct

Info

Publication number: AU2018264027A1
Application number: AU2018264027A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Michael Buttigieg
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2017-11-20
Filing date: 2018-11-14
Publication date: 2019-06-06

Abstract

This is an invention for duct construction, which comprises a duct that is constructed with 1 or more longitudinal segments that run along the length of the duct. Each segment has two longitudinal flanges. The segments are connected together by securing the adjacent flanges together, with either fasteners or sheet metal joining methods to ensure an adequate connection. The segments form a hollow structure. Each side of the duct may be flat or curved or some other profile. Each segment can form one or more of the sides of the duct by the addition of one or more longitudinal folds. The ribs and folds add rigidity to the duct. Figure 1 Figure 2

Description

COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA

PATENTS ACT 1990

ORIGINAL COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT

Invention Title: An Improved Duct

Applicant: Michael Buttigieg

The following statement is a full description of this invention including the best method of performing known.

2018264027 14 Nov 2018 [0001] This invention relates to ducting and piping. More particularly although not exclusively it discloses an improved method of manufacture and construction, and structure, for ducting.

[0002] Existing ducting, in particular although not exclusively air conditioning ducting, is manufactured as a circular or rectangular duct. The circular duct is manufactured by a method of spiral rolling. Rectangular ducts are manufactured in segments resembling cubes. Each method of construction is manufactured in a factory and shipped to the worksite and is generally made to order. Such methods of construction limit the construction location to the factory, inhibit changes required onsite and increase the cost of transportation due to the volume of the finished ducting.

[0003] It is therefore an object of this invention to ameliorate the aforementioned disadvantages and accordingly a design of ducting is disclosed which does not require full manufacture of the duct in a factory, and enables partial fabrication onsite. This invention reduces transportation costs as the product can be transported in a form of reduced volume compared with the volume of the complete duct, and allows the flexibility of using a standard component, which can be utilised to construct various configurations of ducting.

DESCRIPTION [0004] Preferably said means for duct construction comprises a duct that is constructed with 1 or more longitudinal segments which run along the length of the duct.

[0005] It is further preferred that when assembled, the segments form a hollow structure. Each side of the duct may be flat or curved or some other profile.

[0006] It is further preferred that each segment can form one or more of the sides of the duct.

[0007] It is further preferred that each segment has two flanges, which form a rib or ribs along the length of the duct.

2018264027 14 Nov 2018 [0008] It is further preferred that the segments are connected together by securing the adjacent flanges together, with either fasteners or sheet metal joining methods to ensure an adequate connection.

[0009] It is further preferred that the flanges, ribs and folds add rigidity to the duct.

[0010] The preferred methods of the embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the attached drawings:

[0011] Figure 1 is a schematic showing a typical longitudinal segment of the ducting. Each longitudinal segment of the ducting has two longitudinal flanges (item 1). In this case the segment is flat (item 2), however this part of the segment can be curved as shown in Figure 4, or be some other profile.

[0012] Figure 2 is a schematic showing an exploded view of an embodiment of the invention. The figure shows six longitudinal segments prior to assembly.

[0013] Figure 3 is a schematic showing the ducting comprised of 6 longitudinal panels, with each panel connected together via the longitudinal flanges (item 1) which form ribs (item 3), according to a first embodiment of said invention.

[0014] Figure 5 is a schematic showing the embodiment of the invention when the duct is constructed of longitudinal segments from that which is shown in the Figure 4 schematic.

[0015] Figure 6 is a schematic showing the profile of a segment with one longitudinal fold (item 4). This arrangement enables one segment to form two sides of the said duct and improves the structural integrity of the duct.

[0016] Figure 7 is a schematic showing the ducting comprised of 3 longitudinal panels from Figure 6, with each panel connected together via the longitudinal flanges which form ribs.

2018264027 14 Nov 2018 [0017] Figure 8 is a schematic showing the profile of a segment with two longitudinal folds (item 4). This arrangement enables one segment to form three sides of the said duct and improves the structural integrity of the duct.

[0018] Figure 9 is a schematic showing the ducting comprised of 2 longitudinal panels from Figure 8, with each panel connected together via the longitudinal flanges which form ribs.

[0019] Figure 10 is a schematic showing the ducting comprised of 2 longitudinal panels with a curved profile, with each panel connected together via the longitudinal flanges which form ribs.

[0020] Figure 11 is a schematic showing the profile of a segment with five longitudinal folds (item 4). This arrangement enables one segment to form six sides of the said duct and improves the structural integrity of the duct. In this embodiment, the duct is constructed from one panel, which is connected together via the longitudinal flanges, which form a rib.

[0021] Figure 12 shows a typical double seam sheet joining method, which can be used to connect the longitudinal segments together to form a rib (item 3). However, screws, rivets, other fasteners or joining methods may be used.

[0022] It will be thus appreciated that this invention at least in the form of the embodiment described provides a novel and improved form of ducting. Clearly however the examples disclosed is only the currently preferred form of the invention and a variety of modification may be made which would be apparent to a person skilled in the art.

[0023] For example:- • [0024] The size, shape and configuration of the panels may be changed according to design preference.

• [0025] The profile of the panels may change to increase rigidity or accommodate tooling.

2018264027 14 Nov 2018 • [0026] The invention is not limited to any specific material.

• [0027] The number of sides of the duct may change.

• [0028] The volume of the ducting may change.

• [0029] The method of fastening the segments together may change.

• {0030} The profile of the flange may change.

Claims

The Claims defining the invention are as follows:

1. The duct is constructed with one (1) or more longitudinal segments, which run along the length of the duct.
2. When the longitudinal segments are assembled, the segments form a hollow structure.
3. The profile of each segment of the duct may be flat or curved or some other profile.
4. Each segment can form one or more of the sides of the duct.
5. Each segment has two folded flanges, which form a rib along the length of the duct. The segments are connected together by securing the adjacent flanges together, with either fasteners or sheet metal joining methods to ensure an adequate connection. The ribs and folds add rigidity to the duct.

ABSTRACT

This is an invention for duct construction, which comprises a duct that is constructed with 1 or more longitudinal segments that run along the length of the duct. Each segment has two longitudinal flanges. The segments are connected together by securing the adjacent flanges together, with either fasteners or sheet metal joining methods to ensure an adequate connection.

2018264027 14 Nov 2018

The segments form a hollow structure. Each side of the duct may be flat or curved or some other profile. Each segment can form one or more of the sides of the duct by the addition of one or more longitudinal folds. The ribs and folds add rigidity to the duct.

2018264027 14 Nov 2018

The Claims defining the invention are as follows:

1. The duct is constructed with one (1) or more longitudinal segments, which run along the length of the duct.

2. When the longitudinal segments are assembled, the segments form a hollow structure.

3. The profile of each segment of the duct may be flat or curved or some other profile.

4. Each segment can form one or more of the sides of the duct.

5. Each segment has two folded flanges, which form a rib along the length of the duct. The segments are connected together by securing the adjacent flanges together, with either fasteners or sheet metal joining methods to ensure an adequate connection. The ribs and folds add rigidity to the duct.