Apparatus for duct connection

An apparatus for connecting to the end of a duct, the apparatus comprising:

• an outer ring having a central axis (C) and an inner surface extending between a first axial end and a second axial end of the outer ring;
• an inner ring positioned within said outer ring and having said central axis and an outer surface extending between a first and second axial end of said inner ring,
• wherein a gap is provided between said outer surface of said inner ring at its first end and said inner surface of said outer ring at its first end, said gap extending in the direction of said second ends of the inner and outer rings;
• wherein said gap at said first ends being configured to receive said duct;
• and
• wherein said gap decreases in width as it extends away from said first ends and in the direction of said second ends;
• wherein said inner ring has a conical profile starting from said first end of said inner ring, and said outer ring has a conical profile starting from said first end of said outer ring;
• wherein an outer diameter of said outer surface of said inner ring increases from said first axial end of said inner ring towards said second axial end of said inner ring, and
• wherein an inner diameter of said inner surface of said outer ring increases from said first axial end of the outer ring towards said second axial end of said outer ring;
• wherein a conical angle of the conical profile of the outer ring is different from a conical angle of the conical profile of the inner ring;
• wherein said apparatus comprises an axial positioning means provided at said second ends of said outer and inner rings, that is configured to retain said inner and outer rings in a fixed axial position relative to each other;
• wherein said axial positioning means comprises a groove being provided on said outer surface of said inner ring and a groove provided on said inner surface of said outer ring, and further comprising:
• a snap ring configure to sit in and between said grooves to thereby hold the rings in said fixed axial position relative to one another;
• wherein said inner ring comprises a flange provided on its outer surface at its second end and wherein said groove is provided in said flange.