J-shaped flexible duct hanger

An HVAC hanger for mounting a flexible heating, ventilation and air conditioning duct to a support structure, said hanger defined by a substantially elongate body comprising:

• a proximal end configured to engage said support structure;
• a trunk disposed adjacent said proximal end to maintain structural continuity therewith;
• and
• a distal end opposite said proximal end, said distal end disposed adjacent said trunk to maintain structural continuity therewith, said distal end terminating in a cradle, said cradle including:
• a near end defining a transition point from said trunk;
• a remote end opposite said near end such that said near end and said remote end define a duct insertion gap therebetween, where said duct insertion gap is of such diameter that said duct can be seated in said cradle such that at least two translational degrees of freedom of motion of said flexible duct are preserved;
• and
• a curvilinear duct-engaging surface extending between said near end and said remote end, said curvilinear duct-engaging surface defined by an exaggerated contact area along at least a portion thereof.

A J-shaped HVAC hanger for mounting flexible heating, ventilation and air conditioning duct, said hanger defined by one-piece plastic construction and including:

• a proximal end adapted to attach said hanger to said support structure;
• a distal end coupled to and opposite said proximal end, said distal end terminating in a cradle, said cradle configured to engage said flexible duct and including:
• a near end defining a transition point from said cradle to said distal end;
• a remote end opposite said near end such that said near end and said remote end define a duct insertion gap therebetween, where said duct insertion gap is of such diameter that said duct can be freely seated in said cradle;
• and
• a duct-engaging surface extending between said near end and said remote end such that an arc defined by said surface subtends an angle of up to 180 degrees, said duct-engaging surface defined by an exaggerated contact area along at least a portion thereof;
• a trunk disposed between said proximal end and said distal end;
• and
• at least one longitudinally disposed integral rib extending substantially between said proximal and distal ends.

A method of mounting a flexible HVAC duct to a support structure, said method comprising the steps of:

• configuring a hanger to include:
• a proximal end configured to engage said support structure;
• and
• a distal end coupled to and opposite said proximal end, said distal end terminating in a cradle, said cradle configured to engage said flexible duct and including:
• a near end defining a transition point from said cradle to said distal end;
• a remote end opposite said near end such that said near end and said remote end define a duct insertion gap therebetween, where said duct insertion gap is of such diameter that said duct can be freely seated in said cradle;
• and
• a duct-engaging surface extending between said near end and said remote end, said duct-engaging surface defined by an exaggerated contact area along at least a portion thereof;
• securing said hanger to said support structure;
• and
• placing said flexible duct in said cradle of said hanger.