Damper access assembly, clamp assembly, and clamp member

A clamp assembly for joining a first outwardly directed flange of a first duct with a second outwardly directed flange of a second duct, the flanges being configured to confront one another and define a gap therebetween to form a joint, the assembly comprising:

• a first member;
• a second member;
• and
• a hinge operatively coupling the first clamp member to the second clamp member to form at least a portion of a circumferential clamp member, the first member being moveable relative to the second member by the hinge between an opened position in which the clamp member is installable onto the first and second ducts and a closed position in which the assembly engages each of the first and second flanges,
• wherein each of the first and second members includes a base portion, a first lateral portion, and a second lateral portion, the first lateral portion and the second lateral portion each extend inwardly from the base portion to define a channel therebetween for receiving the first and second flanges, the first lateral portions and the second lateral portions including longitudinal extensions that extend away from the channel to increase rigidity of the joint, and
• wherein each of the first outwardly directed flange and the second outwardly directed flange includes a leg extending transversely therefrom, the transverse legs being configured to form a generally T-shaped joint when the first flange confronts the second flange, wherein the channel of the clamp member is configured to receive the T-shaped joint therein.

A damper access assembly for use in a ventilation duct system including ductwork and a damper enclosure configured to enclose a damper and having an inlet and an outlet operatively coupled to the ductwork, the damper access assembly comprising:

• an adapter defining a passage therethrough and having a first end and a second end, the first end sized to fit over or fit within one of the inlet or outlet of the damper enclosure and the second end including a first radially outwardly directed flange including a leg extending at a transverse angle therefrom;
• and
• a damper access duct section defining a passage therethrough and having a first end and a second end, each of the first end and the second end of the damper access duct section including a second radially outwardly directed flange at the respective first end and second end thereof, each of the second flanges including a leg extending at a transverse angle therefrom, the first and one of the second flanges being configured to form a generally T-shaped joint between the adapter and the damper access duct section;
• and
• a circumferential clamp member including a base portion that defines an annular periphery of the clamp member and including first lateral portions and second lateral portions that each extend inwardly from the base portion to define a channel therebetween for receiving the generally T-shaped joint to releasably couple the damper access duct section to the adapter, the first lateral portions and the second lateral portions including longitudinal extensions that extend away from the channel to increase rigidity of the joint,
• wherein the circumferential clamp member is configured to operatively and releasably couple the damper access duct section to the adapter at the T-shaped joint so that the damper access duct section is removable relative to the damper enclosure and the ductwork to permit access to the damper when the damper access duct section is removed.

A damper access assembly for use in a ventilation duct system including ductwork and a damper enclosure configured to enclose a damper and having an inlet and an outlet operatively coupled to the ductwork, the damper access assembly comprising:

• an adapter defining a passage therethrough and having a first end and a second end, the first end being sized to fit over or fit within one of the inlet or outlet of the damper enclosure and the second end including a first radially outwardly directed flange including a leg extending at a transverse angle therefrom;
• and
• a damper access duct section defining a passage therethrough and having a first end and a second end, each of the first end and the second end of the damper access duct section including a second radially outwardly directed flange at the respective first end and second end thereof, each of the second flanges including a leg extending at a transverse angle therefrom, the first and one of the second flanges being configured to form a generally T-shaped joint between the adapter and the damper access duct section;
• and
• a circumferential clamp member including a first member, a second member, and a hinge operatively coupling the first member to the second member, the first member being moveable relative to the second member by the hinge between an opened position in which the clamp member is installable onto the first and second flanges and a closed position in which the annular clamp member engages each of the first and second flanges to releasably couple the access duct section to the adapter, each of the first and second members including a base portion defining an annular periphery of the clamp member and a first lateral portion and a second lateral portion each extending inwardly from the base portion to define a channel therebetween for receiving the generally T-shaped joint, and the first lateral portions and the second lateral portions including longitudinal extensions that extend away from the channel to increase rigidity of the joint,
• wherein the circumferential clamp member is configured to operatively and releasably couple the damper access duct section to the adapter at the T-shaped joint so that the damper access duct section is removable relative to the damper enclosure and the ductwork to permit access to the damper when the damper access duct section is removed.