# US 10,480,813 B2 · Pliable-wall air ducts with internal expanding structures > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,480,813 B2 - Document ID: US10480813B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/902,792 - Filed: 2018-02-22 - Published: 2018-06-28 - Granted: 2019-11-19 - Earliest claimed: 2010-11-19 - Assignees: Right-Hite Holding Corporation - Applicants: Rite-Hite Holding Corporation - Inventors: Cary Pinkalla; Frank Heim; Kevin J. Gebke; Nicholas L. Kaufmann; William A. Niehaus - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10480813B2 ## CPC - F24F 13/0218: {Flexible soft ducts, e.g. ducts made of permeable textiles} - F16L 3/18: allowing movement in axial direction - F16L 11/00: Hoses, i.e. flexible pipes - F16L 11/02: made of fibres or threads, e.g. of textile - F16L 11/10: with reinforcements not embedded in the wall (F16L11/11 takes precedence) - F16L 55/00: Devices or appurtenances for use in, or in connection with, pipes or pipe systems (F16L1/00 - F16L53/00, F16L57/00, F16L59/00 take precedence; repairing or joining pipes on or under water F16L1/26; cleaning of pipes B08B9/02, e.g. removal of blockages B08B9/027; devices for preventing bursting of water pipes by freezing E03B7/10) - F24F 7/06: with forced air circulation, e.g. by fan {positioning of a ventilator in or against a conduit} - F24F 7/065: {fan combined with single duct; mounting arrangements of a fan in a duct} - F24F 13/0245: {Manufacturing or assembly of air ducts; Methods therefor} - F24F 13/0254: {characterised by their mounting means, e.g. supports} - F24F 2221/26: improving the aesthetic appearance - Y10T 29/49826: Assembling or joining - Y10T 137/0402: Cleaning, repairing, or assembling - F24F: AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING (removing dirt or fumes from areas where they are produced B08B15/00; vertical ducts for carrying away waste gases from buildings E04F17/02; tops for chimneys or ventilating shafts, terminals for flues F23L17/02) - F16L: PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract Pliable-wall air ducts with internal expanding structures are disclosed. An example air duct system includes an air duct including a pliable sidewall. The example air duct system further includes a shaft including a first end and a second end. The shaft extends in a longitudinal direction along a length of the air duct with the first end coupled to a first point of the air duct and the second end coupled to a second point of the air duct. The first point is downstream of the second point. The pliable sidewall is to be held in tension in the longitudinal direction between the first and second points in response to compression in the shaft between the first and second ends. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An air duct system comprising: an air duct including a pliable sidewall; and a shaft including a first end and a second end, the shaft extending in a longitudinal direction along a length of the air duct with the first end coupled to a first point of the air duct and the second end coupled to a second point of the air duct, the first point being downstream of the second point, the pliable sidewall to be held in tension in the longitudinal direction between the first and second points in response to compression in the shaft between the first and second points. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The air duct system of claim 1, further including: a rib within the air duct; and a retainer to hold the rib substantially fixed relative to the pliable sidewall at the first point of the air duct, the first end of the shaft coupled to the air duct via at least one of the rib or the retainer. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The air duct system of claim 2, wherein the retainer is on an exterior of the pliable sidewall. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The air duct system of claim 2, wherein the retainer is within an interior of the pliable sidewall. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The air duct system of claim 1, further including: a first rib within the air duct adjacent the first end of the shaft; and a second rib within the air duct and spaced apart from the first rib, the second rib adjacent the second end of the shaft, the first and second ribs to hold the air duct in a radially expanded shape. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The air duct system of claim 5, wherein the shaft is coupled to the air duct via the first and second ribs. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The air duct system of claim 5, further including a third rib within the air duct between the first and second ribs. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The air duct system of claim 1, wherein the shaft is within the air duct.