GB2295437A - Duct component - Google Patents

Abstract

A duct component (10) comprising a first connecting means (12) providing an inlet and adapted to connect the component to another item of ductwork, and a second connecting means (14) spaced from the first connecting means and providing an outlet. The duct component further comprises a passage through the duct component from the inlet to the outlet and adjustment means (11, 13) to enable the relative positions of the first and second connecting means to be adjusted so that the relative positions of the inlet and the outlet of the duct component can be varied. The adjustment means may comprise two rigid arcuate portions (11, 13), one of which is slidable inside the other, and a securing means (18) to retain the inlet and outlet connecting means at the desired angle relative to each other. Alternatively the adjustment means may comprise at least one flexible portion (33, 35; 43). (Figs 3, 4). <IMAGE>

Description

Title: Duct Component Description of Invention This invention relates to a duct component, and in particular, although not exclusively, to such a component for use in generally rigid heating, ventilating, air conditioning and fume extract ductwork installations.

It is an object of the present invention to provide adjustable duct componenl.S.

According to a first aspect of the invention we provide a duct component comprising a first connecting me.lll.s providing an inlet, and adapted to connect the component to another item of ductwork, and a second connecting means spaced from the first connecting means and providing an outlet, a passage through the duct component from the inlet to the outlet, and adjustment means to enable the relative positions of the first and second connecting means to be adjusted so that the relative positions of the inlet and the outlet of the duct component can be varied.

The invention provides the advantage that problems caused during installation of ductwork as a result of, for example non vertical walls, may be overcome w ithoLIt manufacture of bespoke duct components. This is of particular use in small installations, where the cost of bespoke components is excessive.

The adjustment means may comprise two rigid arcuate portions, one of which i @@dable inside the other, and a securing means to retain the inlet and outlet connecting means at the desired angle relative to each other. The angle may be adjustable in the range (1() to 4()O, S() to 50 or 100 to 7() for examples.

Alternatively the adjustment means may comprise at least one flexible portion. Preferably the flexible portion comprises tubular fibre-glass impregnated rubber.

The passage through the duct component may comprise a first rigid portion attached to the first connecting means, a second rigid portion connected to the second connecting means and a flexible portion attached therebetween, to provide a variable length duct component.

The passage through the duct component may comprise a first rigid portion attached to the first connecting means. a second rigid portion attached to the second connecting means, a third rigid portion and a first flexible portion connecting the first and third rigid portions and a second flexible portion connecting the third and second rigid portions, to provide a variable offset duct component.

According to a second aspect of the invention we provide a ductwork installation comprising rigid ducting and further comprising a duct component according to any preceding claim.

Embodiments of duct components according to the invention will now be described, by way of example nly. with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a duct component according to the invention: Figure 2 illustrates a section of the Figure 1 component; Figure 3 illtistrates a perspective view of a second embodiment of a duct component according to the invention.

Figure 4 illustrates a third embodiment of a duct component according to invention. and Figure 5 illustrates a section through part of the Figure 3 and 4 embodiments.

Ixet'errit to Figures 1 and 2 a duct c(imp()nent comprises an adjustable lend 1() whicli defines a Irass.le of rectangular cross-section. The bend 10 comprises a first arcuate portion 11 bearing a connecting means in the form of an inlet flange 12 at a first end and a second arcuate portion 13 bearing a connecting means in the form of an outlet flange 14 at a first end.The cross sectional dimensions of the first arcuate portion 11 are slightly smaller than the cross-sectional dimensions of the second arcuate portion 13 such that the second end of the first arcuate portion 11 is located within the second end of the second arcuate portion 13. The component 10 further comprises means to attach the two arcuate portions 11, 13 together comprising two plates 15 one attached to either side of the first arcuate portion 11 and two plates 16, one attached to either side of the second arcuate portion 13, each pair of plates 15, 16 being pivotally connected by means of a pop-rivet 17.On each side of the adjustable bend 10 the plate 15 is located outwardly of the plate 16, such that the second arcuate portion 13 and the plate 16 are sandwiched between the first arcuate portion 11 and the plates 15.

A securing means 18 comprises a threaded shank 19 attached perpendicular to the external surface of the first arcuate portion 11, an elongated loop 20 extending downwards from the edge the second arcuate portion 13 over the external surface of the first arcuate portion 11 and passing around the shank 19, and a washer 21 and a wing nut 22 located on the shank 19.

When the adjustable bend 10 is to be installed in a ductwork installation, the desired angle of bend is obtained by sliding the first and second arcuate portions 11, 13 relative to each other, the securing means 18 is then tightened by means of screwing the wing nut 22 down on the threaded shank 19.

The action ot tightening the securing means 18 not only secures the adjustable bend 1() at the desired angle, but also pulls the first arcuate portion 11 and the second arcuate portion 13 towards each other closing the gap between them such that any leakage from the ductwork is then at an acceptable level.

The adjustable bend l() is installed in a ductwork installation such that airflow through the installarion Is in the directin of the arrows 23 and 24 in Figure 2. This ensures that the air tlo passes through the inner arcuate portion (i.e. the first arcuate portion 11) befre passing into and through the outer arcuate portion (i.e. the second arcuate portion). Thus the air flows across the end of the gap between the arcuate portions 11, 12 and not into the gap which would increase leakage.

Referring to Figures 3 and 5 a duct component 30 defines a passage of square cross-section. The duct component 30 comprises a first rigid straight portion 31 bearing at a first end a first connecting means 32 providing an inlet.

The second end of the first rigid portion 3 1 is connected to a first flexible portion 33 which in turn is connected to a first end of a second rigid straight portion 34.

The other end of the second rigid straight portion 34 is connected to a second flexible portion 35 which in turn is connected to a first end of a third rigid straight portion 36, the second end of which bears a second connecting means 37 prwiding an outlet. The first and second connecting means 32, 37 are in the form of flanges.

Referring to Figure 5 the connection between the first rigid straight portion 31 and the first flexible portion 33 is illustrated, as an example of the construction of each of the connections between a rigid portion and a flexible portions. A collar 3(S is crimped around the end of the flexible portion 33 thereby attaching the collar 3X to the flexible portion 33. The collar 3$ is then riveted to the rigid portion 31 by means of pop rivets 39.

The duct component 3() permits small offsets, in vertical, horizontal or both directions, in an installation to be accommodated without the need for bespoke ductwork components.

Referring to Figure 4 a duct component 40 defines a passage of square cross secllí)n. Ihe component 1() comprises a first rigid straight portion 41 bearing on @@ first end a first connecting means 42 in the forin of a flange. The second entl of the first rigid straight portion 41 Is attached to a flexible portion 43 in the manner illustrated in Figure 5. The flexible portion 43 is in turn connected lo a first end of a second rigid straight portion 44 which bears at its second end a second connecting means 45 in the form of a flange.

Ille component 4() permits sniall discrepancies in length of duct required for Installation, and small offset. to be accommodated without the need for bespoke ductwork components.

The rigid parts of duct components according to the invention may be made from any suitable material, e.g. galvanised steel.

The flexible portions incorporated in duct components according to the invention may be formed of any material suitable for use in the respective application, for example rubber impregnated fibre-glass, PVC impregnated polyester or neoprene impregnated fibre-glass.

The connecting means in the form of flanges incorporated in duct components according to the invention may be of any appropriate form for connection to the other components in a ductwork installation. For example the flanges may incorporate holes in order that they may he bolted to the flanges of other components. Alternatively, the flanges map be constructed to the connected together by means of clips, clamps, or beading. The connecting means may also be constructed appropriately for connection of the component to the outlet of the duct installation, such as a hole in a wall.

The above described embodiments are of rectangular and square crosssections. Duct components according to the invention may be constructed for use in ductwork providing passages of different cross-sections e.g. circular. In addition other forms of component e.g. T-pieces and Y-pieces, may he made according to the invention.

The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or the following claims. or the accompanyinO drtwings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for attaining the disclosed result as appropriate, may, separatelv or in any combination of such features, he utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.

Claims (1)

1. A duct component comprising a first connecting means providing an inlet, and adapted to connect the component to another item of ductwork, and a second connecting means spaced from the first connecting means and providing an outlet, a passage through the duct component from the inlet to the outlet, and adjustment means to enable the relative positions of the first and second connecting means to be adjusted xo that the relative positions of the inlet and the outlet of the duct component can he varied.

2. A duct component according to claim 1 further comprising one or more additional inlets and/or outlets.

3. A duct component accoding to claim I or 2 wherein the adjustment means complines two rigid arcuate portions. one of which is slidable inside the other, and a securing member to retain the inlel and outlet connecting means at the required angle relative to each other.

1. A duct component according to claim 3 wherein the angle is adjustahle in the range 60 to 4() A A duct component according to claim 3 wherein the angle is adjustable in the range 80 to 50 .

6. A dict component acccording to claims 3 wherein the angle is adjustable in the range 100 to 7() 7. A duct component according to any preceding claim wherein the passage has a substantially cross-section.

8. A duct component according to any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein the passage has a substantially circular cross-section.

9. A duct component according to any of claims 1 to 6 wherein the passage has a substantially square cross-section.

10. A duct component according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the adjustment means comprises at least one flexible portion.

11. A duct component according to a claim 1() wherein the at least one flexible portion comprises are of tubular rubber impregnated fibre-glass, PVC impregnated polvester and neoprene impregnated fibre-,lass.

12. A duct component according to claim 1() or 11 wherein the passage thrugh the duct component comprises a first rigid portion attached to the first connecting means, a second rigid portion connected to the second connecting means and I flexible portion attached therebetween.

13. A duct component according to claims 1() or 11 wherein the passage through the duct component comprises a first rigid portion attached to the first connecting iiean., a second rigid portion attached to the second connecting means, a third rigid portion and a first flexible portion connecting the first and third rigid portions and a second flexible portion connecting the third and second rigid portions.

14. A duct component as hereinbefore decribed with reference to Figures 1 and 2 ot the accompanying drawings.

15. A duct component as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 3 and 5 of the accompanying drawings.

16. A duct component as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 4 and 5 of the accompanying drawings.

17. A ductwork installation comprising rigid comprising rigid dticting and further comprising a diict component according to any preceding claim.

Any Any novel feature or novel combination of features hereinbefore described and/or shown in the accompanying drawings.