System and method for a curved conduit
AssigneeNational Diversified Sales, Inc.
InventorsDANIEL NOURIAN, CHRIS MORALEZ, LOUIS F. TERAN
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A system and method are disclosed for converting channels manufactured for connection together to produce a straight conduit into channels that may be connected together to produce an effectively curved conduit. A link is described that permits the connection between two channels to be connected with an axial offset, which cumulatively allows a plurality of channels to produce a curved conduit.
Claims23
A link, for insertion between a first channel and a second channel that are configured to be connected to each other to form a linear conduit in the absence of the link,
- the first channel having an outwardly extending first flange on a first terminal end of the first channel, the first flange having opposite surfaces that are parallel with each other,
- the second channel defining a first slot at a second terminal end of the second channel, the first slot having opposing surfaces that are parallel with each other and separated by a first width,
- the first flange being configured to be inserted into and mate with the first slot to form a substantially linear connection between the first and second channels, the link comprising:
- an outwardly extending second flange on a third terminal end of the link, the second flange having opposite surfaces that are parallel with each other, and being configured to be inserted and mate with the first slot of the second channel to form a connection between the link and the second channel;
- and
- a second slot defined in a fourth terminal end of the link, the second slot having opposing surfaces configured to receive the first flange of the first channel, the opposing surfaces being spaced apart in relation to the first flange such that, when the first flange is inserted into the second slot, a horizontal gap is formed between the opposite surfaces of the first flange and the opposing surfaces of the second slot that is sufficient to allow the second channel to be rotated horizontally in relation to the first channel by an offset angle to the first channel that is greater than 1.5 degrees.
A channel for inclusion in a conduit comprising a plurality of similar channels that, when joined directly together, form an effectively curved conduit, the channel comprising:
- an elongate hollow body configured to permit fluid flow, with first and second terminal ends;
- a slot at the first terminal end, the slot having opposing surfaces;
- an outwardly extending flange at the second terminal end, the flange having opposite surfaces and being configured to be inserted into a slot of an adjacent similar channel, to form a connection;
- and
- the slot having opposing surfaces configured to receive a flange of an adjacent similar channel, the opposing surfaces of the slot being spaced apart in relation to a received flange such that, when the flange of an adjacent channel is inserted into the slot, a horizontal gap is formed between the opposite surfaces of the flange and the opposing surfaces of the slot, the gap being sufficient to allow the channel to be rotated horizontally in relation to the adjacent similar channel by an offset angle that is greater than 1.5 degrees.
A method of introducing an overall curvature into a conduit comprising first and second channels that are configured to be connected to each other to form a linear conduit,
- the first channel having an outwardly extending first flange on a first terminal end of the first channel, the first flange having opposite surfaces that are parallel with each other,
- the second channel defining a first slot at a second terminal end of the second channel, the first slot having opposing surfaces that are parallel with each other and separated by a first width,
- the first flange being configured to be inserted into and mate with the first slot to form a substantially linear connection between the first and second channels, the method comprising:
- cutting off an end portion of the second channel including the first slot;
- attaching to the second channel a replacement element including a second slot having opposing surfaces configured to receive the first flange of the first channel, the opposing surfaces being spaced apart in relation to the first flange such that, when the first flange is inserted into the second slot, a horizontal gap is formed between the opposite surfaces of the first flange and the opposing surfaces of the second slot that is sufficient to allow the second channel to be rotated horizontally in relation to the first channel by an offset angle to the first channel.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.