US2032103A - Air conditioning conduit - Google Patents

Description

Feb. 25, 1936. T. H. TlsE AIR CONDITIONING CONDUIT 3 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Sept. 25V, 19,55

Feb. 25, 1936. T. H. 'rlsE v AIR CONDITIONING CONDUIT Filed Sept. 25, 1935 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Feb. 25, 1936. l T. H T155 2,032,103`

AIR CONDITIONINGCONDUIT Filed Sept. 25, 1953 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 F A Ygy X k Patented Feb. 25, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT `OFFICE A1B CNDITIONING CONDUIT Thomas H. Tise, Winston-Salem, N. C. Application September 25, 1933, Serial No. 690,913 zo claims.' (c1. 13s-5s) 'Ihis application is a continuation-#impart of .my application for patent for "Air conditioning it also contemplates the provision of conduits which may be installed in dwellings and other buildings during the construction of same,

The successful use of small air conditioning units in dwellings has resulted in an increasing demand for equipment that may be installed in existing dwellings without cutting into the walls to conceal the conduits. In bungalows and relatively small dwellings, it is a comparatively simple matter to install air outlet openings orregisters in the iioor, and to connect these with the air conditioning apparatus by ducts which are located in the cellar of the dwelling. The problem becomes quite complicated, however, when the dwelling is of such size and design that conditioned air must be piped from the cellar to an upper iloor. Many home owners object to the cutting of the walls to conceal the conduits and also object to the location of conduits within the rooms. i

It has Abeen proposed to construct metal conduits in small sections of from two to about six or eghtinches in length, but considerable time is required to install the sectional conduits through small openings located behind the base board in the room and it is not practical properly to insulate this type of installation to meet some building code requirements nor to make it eficient in operation.

An object of this invention is to provide a conduit, of relatively flexible construction, which may bemade in comparatively `long lengths for installation in small spaces between the walls'oi a dwelling.

An object is to provide a flexible conduit which may be collapsed to facilitate the threading of the conduit through a small opening, and expand. er units which may be drawn into the conduit, from one end, to hold the conduit in open or expanded condition.

A further object is to provide a conduit, for air conditioning apparatus, which is formed of reinforced asbestos and coated or treated with a high grade, high melting point asphalt.

A still -further object is to provide a relatively exible, or comparatively rigid, conduit, for air conditioning apparatus, the walls of which are of laminated construction and include asbestos in at or corrugated sheets, woven or brous reinforcing material, corrugated board of ordinary 5 commercial type., adhesive binders, and sheet, foil, or impregnated metallic coatings, all in various associations and combinations.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following 10 specification when taken with the accompanying drawings, in which,

Fig. 1 is a schematic, perspective view illustrating, in general, the type of installation contemplated by the invention;

. y l5 Fig. 2 is an enlarged, fragmentary sectional detail showing one end of the conduit and the equipment with which it is associated;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional side elevation illustrating the method of inserting the expander 20 sleeves within the conduit;

Fig. 4 isan enlarged,- fragmentary, 'sectional perspective view of one end-of a collapsed con duit;

one of the expander sleeves; v

Figs. 6 to 11,inclusive, are enlarged fragmentary transverse sectional views illustrating six diierent combinations and arrangements of laminae for forming the walls of relatively flexible 30 conduits as contemplated by the invention;

Figs. 12 to 14, inclusive, are enlarged fragmentary longitudinal sectional views illustrating three dierent combinations and arrangements of laminae for forming the walls of comparatively 35 rigid conduits as contemplated by the invention; and

Fig. 15 illustrates, on a. reduced scale, and in transverse section a. conduit formed, i'or example,

of laminated material such as shown in any of 40 Figs. 12, 13 and 14, and folded or collapsed for shipping, storage and. installation purposes in a manner different from that of the conduit oi Figs. 2 to 4.

In the drawings, the reference character A 45 identifies the cellar floor of a dwelling which has a rst or ground iioorV B and at least one upper floor C. The iioors B and C are formed of iloor beams or stringers I which carry the wooden ooring 2 and, in the case of the upper iioor C, 50

Fig. 5 is a perspective view, partly in section, of 25 lengths of conduit material maybe hitroduced,

in folded condition, into these small bays or spaces without cutting into the exposed surfaces of partition walls, and may then be expanded to form a conduit of approximately the full crosssection of the space between 'adjacent wall studs. Access is had to this space hy. cutting openings in the ooring 2, but these openings are concealed by the partition walis W and therefore are not objectionable. Such openings are readily made in the ground floor B by working from the cellar, and are made in the flooring 2 of the upper floor C by removing a section of the base board l. g

As illustrated, the conduit T for connecting the air conditioning apparatus 8 with Va register or outlet opening 9 takes the formvof an elongated tube which, while collapsed to decrease its width, is threaded into and through a bay of a wall to extend from one oor level to the next in a single continuous tube.

The tube T is preferably of rectangular crosssection when expanded, and includes side walls I andend walls II which, as originally formed, are folded inwardly to lie between theside walls,

` thus reducing the width of the collapsed tube T to the approximate Width of but` four times the thickness of the wall of the tubing. The tube T may be formed of thin metal, or may comprise relatively heavy side walls of metal and thinner.

end walls, but, as illustrated, is formed of a fabricated material comprising asbestos I2 on a woven reinforcement I3 of eords or flexible wire, the material being rendere-:i waterproofi and air tight by impregnation with lngh` grade, high melting point asphalt.

A metallic thimble or guide, not shown, may be secured to the end of the collapsed conduit to facilitate the introduction of' A the conduit into, and its passage through, the bay between adjacent studs. When the conduit T is in place, it is expanded into normal position by means of a pluralityl of short expander sleeves I4, of rectangular outline which have one edge rounded off, as by the beading I5, and the opposite edge provided with projections or .wide saw teeth I6. The expander sleeves I4 are drawn into conduit 'I' by grappling hooks I1, which engage beneath the beading I5, and, when` in place, the sleeves are retained by the engagement of the projections I6 with the wall of the conduit.

The expander sleeves at the opposite ends Vof the conduit may serve as the couplings for joining the conduit to similar conduit sections, to metal conduits or to the outlet boxes at the registers.

impregnated asbestosv tubing is well adapted for use as condults'for air conditioning apparatus as it is perfectly stable at the pressures and temperatures which are encountered. -The impregnated material is compmatively stiff but possesses sulcient ilembility to perxnit bending of the collapsed tube during installatio In forming the tubing, the corners or edges which form the joints of the folded wall sections are suitably thickened and shaped to prevent any vtearing of the tubing during the folding in or opening out of the end wall sections.

While the novel conduit material rnay be placed in buildings under construction, it particularly advantageous in the installation of air conditioning apparatus in existing buildings. The collapsed tubing may be made up in several stock lengths of, for example, from nine to twelve feet, or in long lengths that are printed along one edge with foot and inch graduations to facilitate the cutting off of any desired length. With either of these arrangements, the tubing may be made in different sizes, such as from 3" x 10" to 5%" x 14". As compared with the previously known conduits formed by assembling short sections, the cost per foot is substantially lower and the time required vfor the installation of a continuous length of conduit is only a small fraction of the time required to assemble and install the sectional conduit. Furthermore, the novel conduit is properly insulated and .affords a free, clear and eiicient passage for the conditioned air.

As noted above, the conduit may be formed of materials other than impregnated asbestos fabric and, to meet the building code requirements of different cities, the conduit may consist of metaL of fabricated material comprising asbestos on a woven reinforcement and rendered waterproof and air tight by coating or impregnation with asphalt, of impregnated asbestos tubing, or it mayv i, be formed of various types of laminated material, as illustrated in Figs.' 6 to 1li, inclusive, the choice of material being made in accordance with the conditions of installation and service encountered.

As already stated, the types of laminated material illustrated in Figs. 6 to 11, inclusive, are relatively flexible, and thus are suited particularly for the formation of conduits adapted for installation in finished buildings, where relatively tortuous threading of the conduits through the wall bays is required. The types of laminated material illustrated in Figs. 12 to 14, inclusive, are, however, comparatively rigid and are best suited for the formation of con-duits adapted for installation in buildings fin course of construction, or where threading of the conduits is unnecessary, or where the work is exposed.

The material of Fig. 6 comprises an outer layer or sheet of asbestos paper or other suitable fireresisting material a, a coating of an adhesive binder 1;-, such as asphalt, a sheet of reinforcing material c, either woven or fibrous, such as tough heavy paper, cloth, wire mesh or felt, an adhesive coating d, and an inner layer or sheet of material e similar to the layer or sheet a, these lamina: a, c and e being'cemented together by the adhesive coatings b and d.

The material of Fig. 7 comprises lamin simiin all respects to those of Fig. 6, as indicated, but includes, in addition, a coating of adhesive binder f which serves to affix to the inner face of the material `a sheet or foil a of aluminum or other suitable metal which serves as a lining for the interior of the conduit and acts, by reflection, to prevent radiation of heat through and deterioration of the conduit.

The material of Fig. 8 is substantially similar to that of Fig. 7, but the metallic inner sheathing h Vin exposed or unconcealed locations.

out an incorporated binder, it will penetrate and adhere to the surface of the material of the inner layer e.

, The materials of Figs. 9, 10 and 11 are similar, respectively, to those of Figs. 6, '7 and 8 but the outer layers or lamin a and e' are provided with relatively ne corrugations so disposed as to extend longitudinally of the conduit. The vertical corrugations prevent stretching or cracking on the outside of the folds and take up the surplus on the inside in an orderly way Without puckering or distortion and they also add very materially to the insulating properties-of the walls.

'Ihe material of Fig. 12 comprises a sheet or layer of the ordinary corrugated board of commerce, comprising top and bottom liners i and j, respectively, of heavy paper, fiber board, or the like, and an interposed layer of 4corrugated paper k, a coating of adhesive binder d and an inner layer e of asbestos paper or the like.'

The material of Fig. 13 is similar .to that of Fig. 12, but the layer e is sheathed with the metal foil or the like g appliedby means of adhesive J".

The material of Fig. 14 is similar to that of Fig. 13, but the sheathing of metal h is similar to:

conduits hereinbefore particularly described, and makes them best suited for use in buildings under construction, where no threading is necessary, or Moreover, where the outer or top liner is of ber board, the exposed surfaces of the conduit may most readily be painted, papered or otherwise decorated or treated.

Where the material of the conduit is of such a nature that it may not readily be folded into cornpactv form as illustrated particularly in Fig. 4, such as would be the case with respect to conduits made of the relatively stiff materials of Figs. 12 to 14, inclusive, the conduit may be provided with scorings Z and m, such as are used in cartons and other containers made of corrugated board, and folded fiat as indicated in the double walled conduit shown in Fig. 15. Y

Obviously, conduits made of the other materials described may also be similarly scored and folded. Asphalt has been mentioned as an adhesive binder suitable for uniting the lamin of the conduit forming materials described, and this substance is considered to be most desirable because of itsy adhesive, damp-proofing and flexible properties. However, in materials such as those illustrated in Figs. 9 to 14, inclusive, other adhesives such as water glass (sodium silicate) may be effectively used.

I am aware that various types of laminated materials are known, some of such materials including in their structure asbestos sheets, fabric, metal foil and other substances united by suitable adhesive binders, but I am not aware of such laminated materials ever having been used heretofore in the construction of conduits for installation in trative only, and that the claims following are not This lends to the conduits thus formed a stiffness not present in the to be interpreted as specifically limited thereto, except such claims as read directly thereon.

I claim:

1. A conduit for air conditioning apparatus comprising a tube having opposed side walls, and flexible, foldable walls joining said side walls, said iiexible, foldable walls being initially folded upon themselves to bring the opposed side walls into closely spaced relationship, said tube adapted to be expanded to conduit-forming condition, the width of said tube when folded being no greater than when expanded.

2. A conduit comprising an elongated tube, opposite portions of the side walls of said tube being turned inwardly and folded upon themselves to bring the intermediate portions of said tube into closely spaced relationship, and means normally separate from said tube and adapted to be drawn through said tube to force said inwardly turned folded portions outwardly to increase the cross-section of the tube.

3. A conduit for air conditioning apparatus, comprisingva tube of rectangular cross-section when open, selected opposed sides of the tube being iiexible and foldable to permit the tube to be collapsed, and means normally separate from said tubeand adapted to be drawn into the tube from one end to expand the same to its maximum cross-section. 4

4. A conduit for air conditioning apparatus, comprising a relatively rigid tube of fabricated material having limited flexibility permitting portions of said tube to be bent out of axial alinement, and one longitudinal strip of said tube being formed by two relatively rigid wall portions reversely folded inwardly upon each other between and closely adjacent the adjoining portions of said tube, whereby the tube may be collapsed/upon itself in relatively fiat condition.

5. The invention as set forth in claim 4 wherein said fabricated material comprises asbestos impregnated with asphalt.

6. The invention as set forth in claim 4 wherein said fabricated material comprises asbestos impregnated with asphalt and reinforced with a woven fabric.

'7. In air conditioning apparatus, a conduit comprising an air tight and re resistant tube of asbestos on a reinforcing fabric and impregnated with asphalt, diametrically opposed portions of said tube being initially collapsed inwardly to decrease the thickness of said tube, and a plurality of short expander sleeves adapted to be drawn into said tube to retain the same in expanded condition to form a conduit.

8. The invention as set forth in claim 7, wherein each of said sleeves has one rounded edge and an edge provided with projections for engagement with said conduit to prevent relative displacement thereof.

9. A conduit for air conditioning apparatus and adapted to be drawn into the space between the studding of an existing wall, said conduit comprising an elongated tube of fabricated material impregnated to render the same waterproof and air tight, opposed portions of said tube being folded inwardly to collapse said tube to permit the same to be inserted into said space through a small opening, and a plurality of short tubular elements of rectangular outline normally separate from saidrtube and adapted to be drawn into the collapsed tube from one end thereof to progressively expand said tube, said elements being ultimately positioned within said tube at intervals in spaced relation to maintain the tube in expanded condition.

Il0. The invention as set forth in claim 9, wherein one edge of said tubular elements is smooth to slide along the inner surface of said tube, and the opposite edge is roughened for engagement with said tube to prevent reverse movement of the tubular element.

cross-section for air conditioning apparatus,

comprising a tube having a Walldivided into longitudinally extending wall sections exibly connected by longitudinally extending hinge sections, each Wall section being of laminated construction and including a layer of asbestos and a layer of reinforcing material united by an aldhesive binder. l

13. A conduit of substantially rectangular cross-section for air conditioning apparatus, comprising a tube having a wall divided into longitudinally extending wall sections exibly connected by longitudinally extending Vhinge sections, each wall section being `of laminated construction and including a layer of fire-resistant material and a layer of reinforcing material united by an adhesive binder of asphalt.

14. A conduit for air conditioning apparatus comprising a tube of laminated construction, said tube including a layer of non-metallic `reresistant material,- a layer of reinforcing material, and an inner metallic heat-reflecting coating. f

15. A 'conduit of substantially rectangular cross-section for air conditioning apparatus, comprising a tube having a wall divided into longitudinally extending wall sections iiexibly connected by longitudinally extending hinge sections, each wall section being of laminated construction and including a layer of non-metallic fire-resistant material, a layer of reinforcing material, and an inner metallic coating appliedto the surface of said fire-resistant material and providing a reiiective lining for the interior of the tube.

16. A conduit of substantially rectangular cross-section for air conditioning apparatus, comprising a tube having a wall divided into longitudinally extending wall sections flexibly connected by ,longitudinally extending hinge sections, each wall section being of laminated construction and including a layer oi corrugated' rst mentioned layer extending longitudinally of the tube.

18. A conduit Ii312 substantially rectangularv cross-section for air conditioning apparatus, comprising a tube having a wall divided into longitudinally extending wall sections flexibly connected by longitudinally extending hinge sections, each `Wall section being of laminated construction and including an inner layer and an outer layer of 4rire-resistant material, and an interposed layer of reinforcing material united thereto.

19. A conduit of substantially rectangular cross-section for air conditioning apparatus, comprising a tube having a wall divided into longitudinally extending wall ysections exibly connected by longitudinally extending hinge sections, each wall section being of transversely rigid laminated construction and including a layer of corrugated board of commerce and a. layer of nre-resistant material united thereto.

20. A conduit' of substantiallyl rectangular cross-section for air conditioning apparatus, comprising a tube having a wall divided into longitudinally extending wall sections flexibly connected by longitudinally extending vhinge sections, each wall sectionbeing of transversely rigid laminated construction and including a layer of corrugated board of commerce and a layer of nre-resistant material united thereto, the corrugations of said corrugated board extending transversely of the tube.

'THOMAS H. 'I'ISE.

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