Air duct support

#The present invention relates to improved conduit supports and, more particularly, to a support or holder for supporting hollow conduits, such as air, heating ducts or pipes between adjacent joists of a building structure.

#Conventionally, heating, cooling, ventilating and air conditioning systems (HVAC systems) in buildings use pipes, tubes, flexible ducts and other tubular bodies for conveying the air within the building. The tubular conduits are supported between floor or ceiling joists and normally secured in a suspended position by nylon straps or metal hangers that are placed between the joists. One problem with conventional duct supports is that the nylon straps or metal brackets have to be secured to a rafter, which in some cases is located at a relatively high level above a base surface, or floor of an attic. To reach the rafter, the worker has to climb a ladder or construct a special platform high enough to give access to the rafter. Naturally, such method of suspending the tubular conduits takes time and increases the cost of the labor involved in the construction of the building.

#Another problem with the use of flexible straps is that they tend to constrict the airflow within a flexible duct. When the strap is tied to the rafter, it is estimated that about 25% of airflow may be lost due to the duct constriction. Still another problem associated with suspending the air ducts is that a condensate tends to form in the portion of the air duct that sags between adjacent straps. The accumulated moisture drips into the insulation, where it can cause damage or facilitate development of mold and mildew around the duct.

#The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention are apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like parts are given like reference numerals and, wherein:

#FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an air duct support in accordance with a first embodiment of present invention.

#FIG. 2 is a front view of the duct holder of a first embodiment of the present invention.

#The images in the drawings are simplified for illustrative purposes and are not depicted to scale. Within the descriptions of the figures, similar elements are provided similar names and reference numerals as those of the previous figure(s). The specific numerals assigned to the elements are provided solely to aid in the description and are not meant to imply any limitations (structural or functional) on the invention.

#The appended drawings illustrate exemplary configurations of the invention and, as such, should not be considered as limiting the scope of the invention that may admit to other equally effective configurations. It is contemplated that features of one configuration may be beneficially incorporated in other configurations without further recitation.

#The embodiments of the disclosure will be best understood by reference to the drawings, wherein like parts are designated by like numerals throughout. It will be readily understood that the components, as generally described and illustrated in the Figures herein, could be arranged and designed in a wide variety of different configurations or be entirely separate. Thus, the following more detailed description of the embodiments of the system and method of the disclosure, as represented in the Figures is not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure, as claimed, but is merely representative of possible embodiments of the disclosure.