AU2019100578A4 - Ducting connector - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a knuckle ducting connector. The connector includes a rigid first conduit and a rigid second conduit. Moving means is provided for enabling movement the first conduit relative to the second conduit. Advantageously, in order to resolve misalignment between equipment (e.g. fan) and ducting, the first conduit may be coupled to ducting and the second conduit may be moved to be coupled to the equipment, or visa versa. Figure 1

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] The present invention generally relates to ducting.

BACKGROUND [0002] The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that the prior art forms part of the common general knowledge.

[0003] Ducting is commonly used in exhaust and ventilation systems, including heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems.

[0004] Whilst flexible ducting is often used, it is not suitable for all applications.

[0005] Often, more durable semi-rigid or rigid ducting is required, for example in joining to a fan. In such circumstances, rigid ducting is invariably misaligned with the fan during installation.

[0006] The preferred embodiment provides for improved alignment of ducting with the fan.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0007] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a ducting connector including:

a rigid first conduit;

a rigid second conduit; and moving means for enabling movement of the first conduit relative to the second conduit.

[0008] Advantageously, in order to resolve misalignment between equipment (e.g. fan) and ducting, the second conduit may be coupled to ducting and the first conduit may be moved to be coupled to the equipment.

2019100578 30 May 2019 [0009] The conduits may be nested together. The moving means may include a bulbous head of each conduit. When viewed from the side, the conduits may be aligned to be colinear, or adjusted to extend through more than 45° from being colinear. When viewed from the end, the fist conduit may be moved in any direction from the second conduit.

[00010] Each conduit may include an alignment means for aligning the conduits together. The alignment means may include a line.

[00011] The second conduit may define a receptacle for receiving the first conduit, and a retainer for retaining the first conduit in the receptacle. The retainer may include a collar. The retainer and receptacle may include abutting flanges. The connector may include one or more fasteners (e.g. rivets) for fastening the flanges together.

[00012] Each conduit may include or be formed from fiberglass. Each conduit may include an end flange or other like connection means at the free end to facilitate connection.

[00013] Any of the features described herein can be combined in any combination with any one or more of the other features described herein within the scope of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [00014] Preferred features, embodiments and variations of the invention may be discerned from the following Detailed Description which provides sufficient information for those skilled in the art to perform the invention. The Detailed Description is not to be regarded as limiting the scope of the preceding Summary of the Invention in anyway. The Detailed Description will make reference to a drawing as follows:

[00015] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a knuckle-like ducting connector in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

2019100578 30 May 2019

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [00016] According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a knuckle ducting connector 100 as shown in Figure 1. The connector 100 includes a rigid tubular upper (i.e. first) conduit 102 and a rigid tubular lower (i.e. second) conduit 104. Moving means 106 is provided for enabling movement of the upper conduit 102 relative to the lower conduit 104 whilst maintaining fluid communication there-through.

[00017] Advantageously, in order to resolve misalignment between equipment (e.g. fan) and ducting, the lower conduit 104 is coupled to ducting and the upper conduit 102 is moved to then be conveniently coupled to the equipment, or visa versa.

Advantageously, the knuckle joint connector 100 can also be used to make subtle direction changes of the ducting to accommodate changes in strata height or offsets, or to divert ducting away from fixed stationary equipment.

[00018] The conduits 102,104 are snugly nested together. The moving means 106 includes a bulbous fitted head 108, 110 of each respective conduit 102, 104. When viewed from the side, the conduits 102, 104 can be aligned to be colinear, or adjusted to extend through more than 45° from being colinear. When viewed from the top end, the upper conduit 102 can be moved in any direction (through 360°) from the lower conduit 104.

[00019] Each conduit 102, 104 includes a respective alignment means, in the form of a line 112, 114, for aligning the conduits 102, 104 together during adjustment.

[00020] The lower conduit 104 defines a semi-spherical receptacle 116 for receiving the upper conduit 102, and a top collar retainer 118 for retaining the upper conduit 102 in the receptacle 116.

[00021] The retainer 118 and receptacle 116 include abutting flanges 120. The connector 100 also includes rivet fasteners 122 for fastening the flanges 120 together.

[00022] Each conduit 102, 104 is substantially formed from fiberglass.

2019100578 30 May 2019 [00023] A person skilled in the art will appreciate that many embodiments and variations can be made without departing from the ambit of the present invention.

[00024] Each conduit 102, 104 can include an end flange or other like connection means at the free end to facilitate connection with the ducting or equipment.

[00025] In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific to structural or methodical features. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to specific features shown or described since the means herein described comprises preferred forms of putting the invention into effect. The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the proper scope of the appended claims appropriately interpreted by those skilled in the art.

[00026] Reference throughout this specification to One embodiment’ or ‘an embodiment’ means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the appearance of the phrases ‘in one embodiment’ or ‘in an embodiment’ in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more combinations.

2019100578 30 May 2019

Claims (5)

1. The claims defining the invention are as follows:

   1. A ducting connector including:

   a rigid first conduit;

   a rigid second conduit; and moving means for enabling movement of the first conduit relative to the second conduit.
2. 2. A ducting connector as claimed in claim 1 wherein, in order to resolve misalignment between equipment and ducting, the second conduit can be coupled to ducting and the first conduit can be moved to be coupled to the equipment.
3. 3. A ducting connector as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the conduits are nested together and the moving means includes a bulbous head of each conduit.
4. 4. A ducting connector as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein each conduit includes an alignment means for aligning the conduits together.
5. 5. A ducting connector as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second conduit defines a receptacle for receiving the first conduit, and a collar retainer for retaining the first conduit in the receptacle.

   Dated this 30^th day of May 2019