Pleated filter with automatic lower end hold down

A filter for an air cleaner including a filter enclosure having a width W1, top and bottom guide tracks, at least the bottom track being comprised of a ferrous metal, wherein the air cleaner is configured to cause air to flow through the enclosure from an upstream to a downstream direction, the filter comprising:

• a flexible metal support member having a first and second side edges, the support member having a width W2 substantially equal to but less than W1;
• a filter media layer connected to and covering at least one side of the support member and having an unfolded width W3 greater than W2, such that the filter media when unfolded extends beyond said first and second side edges of the support member forming filter media skirts;
• wherein the filter media skirts are folded over the respective first and second side edges of the support member so as to cover the side edges and form filter media cushions on the side edges of the filter, the filter with folded over skirts having a width W4 that is substantially equal W1;
• wherein the filter is configured to be positioned in the enclosure with the support member downstream from the filter media with respect to the direction of airflow;
• wherein the filter is pleated and collapsible;
• a top end cap connected to a top end portion of the filter, the top end cap being configured for slideable engagement into the top guide track of the filter enclosure;
• and
• a bottom end cap connected on an inner surface to a bottom end portion of the filter, and having at least one magnet on an outer surface, the magnet being configured for magnetic attachment to the bottom guide track of the filter enclosure.

A method of making a filter, comprising

• providing a flexible support member having a width W2 between side edges,
• providing a layer of filter media having a width W3, W3 being greater than W2,
• attaching the support member to the filter media so that the filter material extends beyond the side edges of said support member forming filter media skirts,
• folding the filter media skirts over the side edges of the support member to cover the side edges and attaching the skirts to the other side of the support member to form a composite filter media,
• pleating the composite filter media,
• forming a top end cap being configured to be slidably attached to guide tracks of a filter enclosure,
• attaching the top end cap to the composite filter media, and
• attaching a hold-down member to the bottom of the composite filter media.

A method of replacing a filter in a filter frame enclosure having a top guide track and a bottom, comprising

• providing a replacement filter comprised of a pleated, collapsible filter having a top end cap and a bottom hold-down member,
• opening the filter frame enclosure,
• removing an old filter from the filter frame enclosure,
• guiding the top end cap only of the replacement filter into the top guide track of the filter frame enclosure,
• sliding the replacement filter into the filter frame enclosure with the filter in at least a partially collapsed configuration,
• releasing replacement filter allowing the bottom of the filter to drop within the filter frame enclosure.