Method of attaching a connector element to a duct flange

A method of attaching an element to a flange at an end of a duct section to facilitate connection of duct sections to each other in end-to-end relation, the duct section flange having opposed sides, the method comprising the steps of:

• locating an element relative to the duct section flange generally at an end of said duct section;
• positioning the element within the duct section flange in a position spaced from and out of engagement with the opposed sides of the duct section flange;
• and
• permanently affixing said element to said duct section flange by moving fastening means from at least one of the element and duct section flange through another of the element and the duct section flange to make an integral connection of said element to the duct section flange.

A method of assembling a duct assembly comprising first and second duct sections, each section having sides extending between opposite ends, each of said sides joining an adjacent side and having a flange extending laterally outward from each end, each of said flanges having opposed side portions, said method comprising the steps of:

• positioning said first and second sections in end-to-end relation so that said flanges extending outward from one of said ends of said first section, face said flanges extending outward from one of said ends of said second section thereby defining aligned flange pairs and so that the sides of said first duct section are aligned with the sides of said second duct section;
• positioning a connector pair comprising first and second connectors at one of said ends of said first and second duct sections so that said first connector spans adjacent flanges of said first duct section and said second connector spans adjacent flanges of said second duct section, said first and second connectors being located on the adjacent flanges in a position spaced from the opposed side portions thereof, said first and second connectors being positioned on opposite faces of an adjacent flange pair so that said flange pair is positioned between said first and second connectors;
• and
• securely fastening said connector pair and one of said flange pairs together thereby connecting said flange pair.

A method for making a patterned strip from a strip of material for use in connecting sections of duct and for attaching a leading edge portion of the patterned strip to a flange of a section of duct, said duct flange having opposed sides, said method comprising the steps of:

• providing a strip of material, said strip having opposite lateral sides extending parallel to a longitudinal centerline of the strip;
• guiding said strip of material in a longitudinal direction;
• making a laterally spaced pair of slots in the strip, each of said slots being obliquely aligned with respect to the lateral sides of said strip;
• moving the strip a predetermined longitudinal distance before making subsequent laterally spaced pairs of slots in the strip;
• making at least one hole between adjacent slots for facilitating connection of the strip to a flange of a section of duct;
• locating the section of duct relative to a leading edge portion of the strip in a position spaced from and out of engagement with the opposed sides of the duet flange;
• affixing the duct flange and a leading edge portion of the strip to each other;
• and
• separating the leading edge portion of the strip from the strip.

A method for making a patterned strip for use in connecting sections of duct, said patterned strip having opposite lateral sides extending parallel to a longitudinal centerline of the strip, said method comprising the steps of:

• providing a strip of material;
• guiding the strip in a longitudinal direction;
• making a laterally spaced pair of slots in the strip, each of said slots being obliquely aligned with respect to the lateral sides of said strip;
• moving the strip a predetermined longitudinal distance before making subsequent laterally spaced pairs of slots in the strip;
• and
• making at least one hole between adjacent slots for facilitating connection of the strip to the sections of duct.

A method for making a patterned strip for use in connecting sections of duct and for attaching a leading edge portion of the patterned strip to a flange of a section of duct, said patterned strip having opposite lateral sides extending parallel to a longitudinal centerline of the strip, said method comprising the steps of:

• providing a strip of material;
• guiding said strip of material in a longitudinal direction;
• making a laterally spaced pair of slots in the strip, each of said slots being obliquely aligned with respect to the lateral sides of said strip;
• moving the strip a predetermined longitudinal distance before making subsequent laterally spaced pairs of slots in the strip;
• making at least one hole between adjacent slots for facilitating connection of the strip to a flange of a section of duct;
• making at least one aperture generally along the longitudinal centerline of the strip;
• engaging said at least one aperture along the longitudinal centerline of the strip to locate the leading edge portion of the strip relative to the section of duct;
• affixing the duct flange and a leading edge portion of the patterned strip to each other;
• and
• separating the leading edge portion of the patterned strip from the patterned strip.