GB2511497A

GB2511497A - Ventilation ducting connector

Info

Publication number: GB2511497A
Application number: GB1303769.2A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Richard Jenkins; Colin Biggs
Original assignee: Nuaire Ltd
Current assignee: Nuaire Ltd
Priority date: 2013-03-04
Filing date: 2013-03-04
Publication date: 2014-09-10
Anticipated expiration: 2033-03-04
Also published as: GB2511497B; GB201303769D0; EP2784404B1; EP2784404A1

Abstract

A ventilation ducting connector for connecting compressible ventilation ducting sections together comprises a collar 6 operable between an open and closed clamped configuration, the collar having at least one projection 28, 30, 32 arranged to penetrate into the outer surface of the ducting when the collar is in the clamped configuration. The at least one projection may comprise at least one sealing member in the form of a rib (38, 40, fig 5) extending around the inner surface of the collar and configured to penetrate the ducting and create a seal. The projections may have a distal sloped face. The collar may comprise first 8 and second 10 collar sections and a locking means for locking them together. The locking means may permit the clamping force to be varied by the use of tabs 20 received in slots 22. The collar may be hinged. The duct may be round, square or rectangular.

Description

VENTILATION DUCTINC CONNECTOR

The present invention relates to a ventilation ducting connector and in particular to a connector for joining adjacent sections of ventilation ducting from a compressible material.

Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (H VAC) systems are used to provide a regular airflow to rooms in a building such as an industrial building or residential dwelling. H VAC systems require ventilation ducting to transport the regulated air to the point of use.

1-1 VAC systems typically include a temperature regulation system for providing the air to a room at a predetermined set temperature. In order to maintath close control over the air temperature it is important that the ventilation ducting provides thermal insulation to insulate the temperature regulated airflow from the external ambient air temperature. It is therefore known to provide ventilation ducting with insulation such as an expanded foam which surrounds the ducting to provide thermal insulation. The structural inner walls of such ventilation ducting sections defining the conduits are typically metal or a rigid plastic material. Ducting sections of this type have been found to be excessively heavy which can present particular problems when ducting is being installed overhead requiring the installer to support the weight of the ducting sections during installation. In addition, the material cost at such ducting sections is found to be prohibitive for certain cost sensitive applications.

It is known to provide ducting sections formed entirely from expanded foam or a similar materiat Such ducting sections provide the required thermal insulation and low porosity while also being lightweight and relatively inexpensive. However, the flexible and compressible nature of this material requires and alternative means of joining the ducting sections. Rigid ducting sections typically use a fixed configuration connector such a flange connector or similar, which holds and retains the rigid ducting sections. However, it is not possible to use connectors of this type with foam ducting as the compressible nature of the material can cause it to compress or otherwise change shape and become detached from the connector andlor results in gaps between the ducting and connector which can cause leakage.

It is therefore desirable to provide an improved ventilation ducting connector and/or ventilation ducting assembly that addresses the above problems andlor provides improvements generally.

According to the present invention there is provided a ventilation ducting connector as defined in the accompanying claims. There is also provided in accordance with the present invention a ventilation ducting assembly as defined in the accompanying claims.

In an embodiment of the invention there is provided a ventilation ducting connector for connecting ventilation ducting sections formed from a compressible material. The connector is alTanged to receive the free ends of two contiguous ducting sections such that the ducting sections define a continuous air conduit. The collar is reconfigurable between an open configuration in which the ducting sections may be freely inserted into the collar and a clamped configuration in which it surrounds part of each ducting section and provides a compressive force to hold the ducting sections in a relative position. The collar comprises at least one inwardly extending projection alTanged on its inner surface to penetrate the outer surface of at least one of the ducting sections when the collar is in the clamped configuration. The inward projection may be a locating projection andlor a sealing projection configured to longitudinally or radially fix the collar relative to the ducting andlor provide a seal between the collar and the ducting.

The at least one projection may comprise at least one of a sealing member configured to penetrate the surface of the ducting section and create a seal between the ducting section and the collar, and a holding member configured to penetrate the surface of the ducting section to hold the collar and the ducting section in a fixed relative position. The sealing member uses the compressible nature of the ducting material to create a seal by either compressing or penetrating the surface. This advantageously obviates the requirement for a separate sealing member which improves ease of installation and reduces complexity and cost. The holding member projections combine with the clamping action of the collar to hold and retain the compressible material ducting within the collar providing a significantly improved connection and obviating the requirement for further fixing means such as ducting tape.

The collar may comprise a longitudinal axis which aligns with the longitudinal axes of the corresponding ducting sections and the sealing member comprises at least one rib extending around the inner surface of the collar transversely to the longitudinal axis. The rib creates a sealing engagement with the ducting to prevent loses from the ducting.

The at least one nb may comprise a first rib extending substantially continuously around the inner surface of the collar at a first end of the collar and a second rib extending substantially continuously around the inner surface of the collar at the opposing second end of the collar. In this way, sealing is achieved either side of the join between the ducting sections.

The at least one rib preferably tapers inwardly towards its distal edge, providing a v-shaped blade type configuration which improves penetration and creates a wedging contact which improves sealing.

The collar may comprise a longitudinal axis which aligns with the longitudinal axes of the conesponding ducting sections and the holding member may comprise and at least one projection extending from the inner surface of the collar at a discrete position around the inner periphery in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis. Preferably the at least one individual projection comprises a plurality of discrete individua' projections arranged at spaced locations in the transverse direction around the inner surface of the collar.

The discrete lugs or projections rotationally fix the ducting.

At least two of the individual projections may be spaced from each other in the longitudinal direction either side of the longitudinal centre of the collar to engage both ducting sections at either end of the collar.

At least one of the individual projections may include a distal face which slopes inwardly substantially in the direction of the centre of the collar in the transverse direction. The collar may comprise a first collar section and a section collar section which are relatively movable to allow the collar to be reconfigured between the open and clamped configurations and a centre point is defined between the transverse ends of the first collar section, and wherein the at least one projection includes first and second projections located at transversely spaced locations on opposing sides of the centre line having distal faces which slope inwardly in opposing transverse directions towards the centre of the collar arranged to create opposing wedging actions to urge the ducting section in opposing transverse directions as the first and second projections penetrate the ducting section to grip and retain the ducting.

A first pair of first and second projections maybe ocated at a first longitudinal end of the collar and a second pair of first and second projections located at an opposing second longitudinal end of the collar.

A first plurality of discrete individua' projections may be arranged proximate a first end of the collar and a second plurality of discrete individual projections are arranged proximate the opposing end of the collar.

At least one sealing member may be provided in addition to the at least one projection. The at least one sealing member is preferably a resilient, compressible sealing member such as an o-nng. The sealing member is located within the collar between the collar and ducting and arranged to be compressed against the surface of the ducting when the collar is in the clamped configuration. The sealing member me be provided in addition to or instead of a sealing rib, and is particularly advantageous for higher pressure systems where increased sealing pressure is required.

The collar may comprise a first collar section and a second collar section which are relatively movable to allow the collar to be reconfigured between the open and clamped configurations.

The ventilation ducting connector may comprise at least one locking means for locking the first and second sections together in the clamped configuration.

The first and second collar sections may be detachaHe sections and the collar comprises at least two locking means located on opposing sides of the collar for locking the respective first and second ends of the first and second sections together in the clamped configuration.

The at least one locking means may be arranged to selectively lock the first and second collar sections in a plurality of locking positions to selectively vary the clamping force by varying the resultant internal cross sectional area of the collar.

The collar may comprise an inwarffly extending locating member configured to engage an end face of each ducting section to longitudinally locate the ducting sections relative to the collar.

PreferaNy the locating member comprises an inwardly extending flange thcated substantially centrally within the collar in the longitudinal direction.

The collar may comprise first and second collar sections including a main body section and a flange section and the flange section extends past the end of at least one end of at least one of the main body section of the first and second sections to define a locating tab.

b another embodiment of the invention there is provided a ventilation ducting assembly comprising a plurality of ducting sections formed from a compressible materia'; and a plurality of ducting section connectors according to any preceding claim. The ducting sections and connector are configured such that the end portions of adjacent ducting sections are receivable within the collar and wherein when the collar is in the clamped position it applies a compressive force to the ducting sections to ho'd the ducting sections in a fixed relative position with the at least one projection penetrating the surface of at least one of the ducting sections.

At least one end face of the ducting sections may comprise an outer recess located towards the outer circumferential surface of the ducting section and a corresponding inner rib located radially inwards which projects longitudinally outwardly of the recess, the recess being configured to accommodate the flange section of the ducting connector and the rib being configured to extend longitudinally inwards into the connector past the flange to abut the adjacent ducting section to which it is to be connected.

h another embodiment of the invention there is provided a ventilation ducting connector for connecfing compressible ducting sections, comprising a collar reconfigurable between an open configuration and a clamped configuration, wherein the collar comprises at least one inwardly extending projection arranged on its inner surface configured to penetrate the outer surface of a compressible ducting section located within the collar when the collar is in the clamped position.

The present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the following illustrative figures in which: Figure 1 shows a ventilation ducting assembly according to an embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 shows a ducting connector according to an embodiment of the invention in the open configuration; Figure 3 shows the ducting connector of figure 2 in eth clamped configuration; Figure 4 shows a transverse section view of the connector of figure 2 including a section of the ducting; Figure 5 shows a longitudinal section view of the connector and the ducting; Figure 6 shows a ducting connector according to an embodiment of the invention; and Figures 7a and 7b show a ducting section according to an embodiment of the invention.

Referring to Figure 1 a ventilation ducting assembly 1 comprises a first ducting section 2 and a second ducting section 4. The first and second ducting sections form a contiguous part of a long ducting pathway.

The ducting sections are formed from a compressible material such as an expanded foam material having low permeability and high thermal insulating properties. A further benefit provided by ducting with this material is low weight and low cost. The expanded foam ducting 2, 4 defines the air conduct and ventilation system with the inner surface of the ventilation duct being of the same expanded foam material, as compared to arrangements of the prior art in which the foam material surrounds an inner ducting section formed from a rigid material. The ducting sections 2, 4 are arranged end to end in an adjacent and contiguous manner such that they defining a continuous air pathway.

In ventilation assemblies using ducting sections formed from a rigid, non-bendable material, the ngid ducting sections may be bolted, clamped or otherwise secured together with additional sealing members being provided to ensure a sealing fit. Typically, an adhesive ducting tape is also used to retain the ducting within the connector as weB as further improving the seal.

In the present invention a connector 6 is provided for joining contiguous sections of ducting formed from a compressible materiaL The connector 6 comprises a collar formed from a plastic material which extends circumferentially around the adjacent ends of the ducting sections 2,4. As shown in Figure 2, the ducting 2,4 is substantially annular, which in the embodiment shown comprises a substantially circular shape. However, it will be appreciated that this shape corresponds to the circular outer surface of the cylindrical ducting sections and that the teim annular' is not limited to a circular shape and rather relates to a continuous ring which may be of any shape corresponding to the outer peripheral shape of the corresponding ducting sections, for example square or rectangular.

The collar includes a longitudinal axis as defined in figure 2 by the line A-A. A transverse axis extends transversely to the longitudinal axis and is defined in figure 2 by line B-B.

The connector 6 is split along a central transverse axis defining the diameter of the collar and includes a first collar section 8 and a second collar section 10. The first and second collar sections 8, 10 are substantially elongate semi-circular and arcuate in shape each defining half of the annular form of the collar 6. The first collar section 8 includes opposing ends 12 at either end of its elongate length and the second collar section 10 indudes opposing ends 14. In the ongitudinal direction the collar 6 indudes longitudinally opposed edges 16 and 18 which define the longitudinal ends of the collar 6.

b Figure 2 the collar is shown in the open position in which the second collar section 10 is detached and separated from the first collar section 8 to expand the effective inner perimeter of the collar 6. The first and second 8,10 collar sections may be movably connected at one end for example by a living hinge, although preferably the collar sections 8.10 are 2-part and completely detachable. The collar 6 includes locking means for connecting the first and second collar section 8.10 which includes locking tabs 20 extending from the ends 14 of the second collar section 10 which have an inner surface including a selTated or toothed profile. The locking tabs 20 are received in corresponding slots 22 provided at the ends 12 of the first collar section 8, which each include a corresponding serrated section or pawl member for engaging and locking against the senated section of the locking tabs 20 to lock and hold the locking tabs 20 within the slots 22 to secure the first and second collar sections 8,10 together. The multiple selTations of the locking tabs 20 provide multiple locking positions providing a degree of adjustment in the relative positions of the first and second collar sections 8,10 to enable the clamping force of the collar to be selectively varied by varying the effective inner perimeter of the collar 6.

As shown in Figure 2 and 3 a flange section 24 extends transversely around the inner circumference of the collar extending along the inner transverse length of both the first collar section 8 and second collar section 10 at a longitudinally central position. The flange 24 extends in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the inner surface from which it projects. The flange 24 extends inwardly a distance less than the wall thickness of the ducting and provides an abutment service for engagement by the ducting sections 2, 4 to longitudinally locate the ducting sections 2. 4 within the collar 6. As shown in Figure 2 the portion of the flange section 24 located within the first collar section 8 includes at either end a tab 26 which extends past both ends 12 of the collar section 8. The tab 26 provides an abutment for locating the ducting sections as they approach the collar 6. When the collar sections 8,10 are in the clamped configuration the tab 26 is received within a corresponding recess in the flange section 24 of the second collar section 10.

A plurality of spigots or lugs 28 are provided at radially spaced locations extending from the inner surface of the collar 6. The lugs 28 are integrally moulded with the collar 6 and project inwardly into the collar 6 and are arranged at the outer edges i6 and i8 of the first collar section 8 at longitudinally at radially spaced positions. The Jugs 28 define piercing spikes for penetrating the surface of the ducting sections located within the collar 6, which is enabled by the use of a compressible ducting material. The lugs 28 are substantially semi cylindrical each having an open central void which is outwardly facing. This configuration provides the lugs 28 with improved structural rigidity while also providing a form which is easily mouldable as compared, for example, to a completely cylindrical fonm The lugs 28 extend inwardly in a common parallel direction that is transverse to the longitudinal axis.

Specifically, a centre lug 30 is located centrally between the ends 12 of the first collar section 8. The central lug 30 projects substantially perpendicular to the p'ane of the surface from which it extends towards the centre of collar 6. The outer lugs 32 are transversely spaced outwardly on opposing sides of the centre lug 28 extending in a common parallel direction.

Each projecting lug 28 includes an inner face at its distal end. The central lug 30 has a distal face oriented in a plane perpendicular to the direction of projection of the lug 30. As shown in Figure 4 the outer lugs 32 include sloping distal faces. The distal face of each lug slopes upwardly and inwardly towards the centre of the collar 6, in a direction away from the portion of the collar wall closest to the distal end. This sloping distal face creates a tapered tip to the lug 32 and when viewed end on in the longitudinal direction the innermost part of the wall of each lug 32 is longer than the outermost part taken in the transverse direction.

A series of smaller projections 36 extending from scalloped recesses in outer edges 16, i8 of the second collar section 10 also project inwardly into the collar 6, as can be seen in Figure 4. The lugs 36 extend in the same parallel direction as the lugs 28 of the first collar section. The function of the lugs 28,36 are discussed in further detail below. While the projections 28 are described as lugs, they may be any suitable configuration able o penetrate the surface of the ducting and provide a transversely facing wall that engages with the ducting and prevents rotation. For example, the projections may comprise longitudinally extending ribs or teeth.

As shown in Figure 3 a pair of ribs extend around the inner surface of the coflar 6 at its outer edges. A first rib 38 and a second rib 40 extend circumferentially around the longitudinal outer edges 16,18 of the inner surface of the collar 6 in the transverse direction. The first rib 38 and second rib 40 extend around the inner circumference of both the first collar section 8 and section collar section 10 to define substantially continuous ribs when the first 8 and second 10 collar sections are in the closed configuration. The ribs 38,40 are located at opposing ends 12,14 of the collar. As can be seen in Figure 3 a small discontinuation in the ribs occurs at the ends 12, 14 of the collar sections 8,10 to avoid interference when the collar 6 is being tightened to the clamped position. The ribs 38,40 have a tapered v-shaped section taken in the longitudinal direction to define a blade like profile suitable for piercing into or compressing the surface of the ducting to create a sealing contact with the ducting. Depending on the specific profile of the ribs 38,40, the material of the ducting and/or the clamping force applied, the ribs 38,40 may create a sealing contact either by compressing the surface of the ducting or by piercing and penetrating the surface. In both anangernents the ribs 38, 40 extend inwardly of the surface plane defined at the uncompressed outer diameter of the ducting.

In use the collar 6 is placed in the open configuration. A first section of ducting 2 is introduced to the first collar section 8 with the second secrion 10 removed. The tab 26 is used to longitudinally located and align the ducting section 2 relative to the collar section -Il- 8. One aligned the ducting section 2 is the pushed into the collar section 8 until the outer surface of the ducting 2 makes substantially continuous contact with the inner surface of the collar section 8. As the ducting is urged into position the lugs 28 engage and begin to penetrate the surface of the ducting, extending into the wall of the ducting 2. The length of the lugs 28 is selected to ensure that they do not extend all the way through the ducting 2 into the centre channel, and also such that they extend inwardly further than the flange 24 and the nbs 38, 40. As the lugs 32 penetrate the ducting wall the sloping distal faces create a wedging contact with the ducting urging the ducting in the transversely outwards direction. As shown in Figure 4 the faces of the opposing lugs 32 at a common end slope in opposing directions resulting in the ducting being urged in opposing directions at either side. This causes the ducting to grip against the lugs 32 with the effect that the lugs 32 hold the ducting within the collar section once the user releases the ducting. This advantageously allows the user to then pick up the second collar section 10 without having to hold the ducting, which is particularly useful where the ducting is being installed over head.

As shown in Figures 2 and 3 the first collar section 8 includes a fixing bracket 42 arranged substantially tangentially to the main body of the collar section 8. The bracket 42 is configured to be secured to a surface such as a wall or ceiling and includes apertures 43 on opposing sides of the collar section 8 for receiving screws or other fixings. In one embodiment the installation routing may include securing the first collar section 8 to a ceiling or wall, and then inserting the ducting section into the collar section 8 as described above. When the ducting is inserted and held within the first ducting section 8, with eth ducting for example being suspending overhead in the collar section 8, the second collar section 10 is then connected to the first collar section by inserting the locking tabs 20 into the slots 22. Pressure is applied to the second collar section 10 to urge it against the surface of the ducting and cause it to compress. As the collar section 10 moves further towards the first collar section 8 the toothed profile of the locking tabs 20 progressively locks the tabs causing a progressively increased clamping force. Once a suitable clamping position is achieved, the force may be removed and the second collar 10 remains in its clamped position relative to the first collar section 8.

In the damped configuration, the ribs 38, 40 extending into the surface of the ducting sections at either end of the collar 6 forming substantially annular seals with the ducting sections, as shown in Figure 5. to prevent loss of air that may escape the ducting at the point they abut. As shown in Figure 6 the end face 48 of each ducting section includes a recess and a projecting rib 52. The recess 50 extends radially inwardly a distance substantially equivalent to the radial length of the flange section 24. The projection rib 52 is located radially inwardly of the recess 50 and extends longitudinally in a distance approximately equal to half the thickness of the flange 24. As such, in eth clamped configuration the flange 24 is received and located within the recess 50 of each ducting section, with the projecting ribs extending longitudinally inwards of the outer face of the flange to abut with the end face of the projecting nb of the adjacent ducting section to improve sealing between the ducting sections 2,4 and form a continuous unintelTupted ducting section.

In the clamped configuration the lugs 28 both longitudinally and rotationally fix the ducting relative to the collar 6 to prevent retraction andlor rotation within the collar 6.

Rotation is prevented by engagement of the side waHs of the lugs 28 within the wafl of the ducting providing transverse engagement. Similarly longitudinal engagement prevents retraction from the collar 6. The ribs 38, 40, in addition to sealing, also act to longitudinally fix the ducting within the collar.

It will be appreciated that in further embodiments vanous modifications to the specific arrangements described above and shown in the drawings may be made. For example while the above embodiments are described for an assembly having substantially circular section cylindrical ducting, the connectors and ducting may have any other suitable corresponding shapes. Figure 6 shows a collar 106 and corresponding ducting 102 having a substantially rectangular section shape. In this embodiment the first collar section 108 and second collar section 110 have substantially identical lugs 132. Also, while the ducting is described as being formed of an expanded foam material, and suitable lightweight impermeable material may be utilised.

Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A ventilation ducting connector for connecting ventilation ducting sections formed from a compressible material, the connector being arranged to receive the free ends of two contiguous ducting sections such that the ducting sections define a continuous air conduit, the collar being reconfigurable between an open configuration in which the ducting sections may be freely inserted into the collar and a clamped configuration in which it surrounds part of each ducting section and provides a compressive force to h&d the ducting sections in a rdative position, wherein the collar comprises at least one inwardly extending projection arranged on its inner surface to penetrate the outer surface of at least one of the ducting sections when the collar is in the clamped configuration.
2. A ventilation ducting connector according to any preceding claim wherein the at least one projection comprises at least one of a sealing member configured to penetrate or compress the surface of the ducting section and create a seal between the ducting section and the coHar. and a holding member configured to penetrate the surface of the ducting section to hold the collar and the ducting section in a fixed relative position.
3. A ventilation ducting connector according to claim 2 wherein the collar comprises a longitudinal axis which aligns with the longitudinal axes of the corresponding ducting sections and wherein the sealing member comprises at least one rib extending around the inner surface of the collar transversely to the longitudinal axis.
4. A ventilation ducting connector according to claim 3 wherein the at least one rib comprises a first rib extending substantially continuously around the inner surface of the collar at a first end of the collar and a second rib extending substantially continuously around the inner surface of the collar at the opposing second end of the collar.
5. A ventilation ducting connector according to claim 3 or 4 wherein the at least one rib tapers inwardly towards its distal edge.
6. A ventilation ducting connector according to any one of claims 2 to 5 wherein the collar comprises a longitudinal axis which aligns with the longitudinal axes of the corresponding ducting sections and wherein the holding member comprises and at least one projection extending from the inner surface of the collar at a discrete position around the inner periphery in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis.
7. A ventilation ducting connector according to claim 6 wherein the at least one individual projection comprises a plurality of discrete individual projections arranged at spaced thcations in the transverse direction around the inner surface of the collar.
8. A ventilation ducting connector according to claim 7 wherein at least two of the individual projections are spaced from each other in the longitudinal direction.
9. A ventilation ducting connector according to claim 7 or 8 wherein at least one of the individual projections includes a distal face which slopes inwardly substantially in the direction of the centre of the collar in the transverse direction.
10. A ventilation ducting connector according to claim 9 wherein the collar comprises a first collar section and a section collar section which are relatively movable to allow the coflar to be reconfigured between the open and damped configurations and a centre point is defined between the transverse ends of the first collar section, and wherein the at least one projection includes first and second projections located at transversely spaced locations on opposing sides of the centre line having distal faces which slope inwardly in opposing transverse directions towards the centre of the collar alTanged to create opposing wedging actions to urge the ducting section in opposing transverse directions as the first and second projections penetrate the ducting section.
11. A ventilation ducting connector according to claim 10 comprising a first pair of first and second projections located at a first longitudinal end of the collar and a second pair of first and second projections located at an opposing second longitudinal end of the collar.
12. A ventilation ductthg connector according to any one of claims 7 to 11 wherein a first plurality of discrete individual projections are arranged proximate a first end of the collar and a second plurality of discrete individual projections are arranged proximate the opposing end of the collar.
13. A ventilation ducting connector according to any preceding claim 9 wherein the collar comprises a first collar section and a second collar section which are relatively movable to allow the collar to be reconfigured between the open and clamped configurations.
14, A ventilation ducting connector according to claim 13 comprising at least one locking means for locking the first and second sections together in the clamped configuration.
15, A ventilation ducting connector according to claim I wherein the first and second collar sections are detachable sections and the collar comprises at least two locking means located on opposing sides of the collar for locking the respective first and second ends of the first and second sections together in the clamped configuration.
16. A ventilation ducting connector according to claims 11 or 12 wherein the at least one ocking means is arranged to selectively lock the first and second coflar sections in a plurality of locking positions to selectively vary the clamping force by varying the resultant internal cross sectional area of the collar.
17. A ventilation ducting connector according to any preceding claim wherein the collar comprises an inwardly extending locating member configured to engage an end face of each ducting section to longitudinally locate the ducting sections relative to the collar.
18. A ventilation ducting connector according to claim 17 wherein the locating member comprises an inwardly extending flange located substantially centrally within the collar in the longitudinal direction.
19, A ventilation ducting connector according to claim 18 wherein the collar comprises first and second collar sections including a main body section and a flange section and the flange section extends past the end of at least one end of at least one of the main body section of the first and second sections to define a locating tab.
20, A ventilation ducting assemNy comprising: a plurality of ducting sections formed from a compressible material; and a plurality of ducting section connectors according to any preceding claim; wherein the ducting sections and connector are configured such that the end portions of adjacent ducting sections are receivable within the collar and wherein when the collar is in the clamped position it applies a compressive force to the ducting sections to hold the ducting sections in a fixed relative position with the at least one projection penetrating the surface of at least one of the ducting sections.
21. A ventilation ducting assembly comprising a connector according to 18 or 19 and a plurality of ducfing sections, wherein at least one end face of the ducting sections comprises an outer recess located towards the outer circumferential surface of the ducting section and a corresponding inner rib located radially inwards which projects longitudinally outwardly of the recess, the recess being configured to accommodate the flange section of the ducting connector and the rib being configured to extend longitudinally inwards into the connector past the flange to abut the adjacent ducting section to which it is to be connected.
22. A ventilation ducting connector for connecting compressible ducting sections, comprising a collar reconfigurable between an open configuration and a clamped configuration, wherein the collar comprises at least one inwardly extending projection arranged on its inner surface configured to penetrate the outer surface of a compressible ducting section located within the collar when the collar is in the clamped position.