Connector for joining two lengths of sheet metal ducting together end-to-end and the two pieces of sheet metal

Two pieces of sheet metal for being joined together end-to-end by a connector, wherein the connector has a first wall, a second wall, a ledge, a third wall, a fourth wall, and a flange, wherein the second wall of the connector and the first wall of the connector define a first channel therebetween, wherein the ledge of the connector extends inwardly from the second wall of the connector, into the first channel of the connector, wherein the third wall of the connector terminates in a free edge, wherein the free edge of the third wall of the connector is folded inwardly onto itself so as to form a folded free edge, wherein the third wall of the connector and the first wall of the connector define a second channel therebetween, wherein the first channel of the connector and the second channel of the connector open in opposite directions from each other, wherein the first channel of the connector and the second channel of the connector are offset relative to each other, wherein said fourth wall extends from said ledge to a terminal edge, wherein said flange extends outwardly from said fourth wall, wherein said flange structurally stiffens said connector, wherein said flange has a free edge, and wherein said free edge of said flange is folded onto itself in a direction away from said ledge so as to form a folded free edge, said two pieces of sheet metal comprising:

• a) a first piece of sheet metal;
• and
• b) a second piece of sheet metal;
• wherein said first piece of sheet metal has a raw free end;
• wherein said raw free end of said first piece of sheet metal has at least one wedge-shaped reverse button lock projection thereon;
• wherein said second piece of sheet metal has a raw free end;
• wherein said raw free end of said second piece of sheet metal has at least one wedge-shaped reverse button lock projection thereon;
• wherein said raw free end of said second piece of sheet metal has a joggle;
• wherein said joggle is inward of said at least one wedge-shaped reverse button lock projection on said raw free end of said second piece of sheet metal;
• wherein said joggle on said raw free end of said second piece of sheet metal offsets said second piece of sheet metal for allowing insertion of the other raw free end of said second piece of sheet metal into the first channel of a next connector without a need for field dressing;
• wherein said raw free end of said first piece of sheet metal is for being lockingly received in the first channel of the connector by virtue of said at least one wedge-shaped reverse button lock projection on said raw free end of said first piece of sheet metal spreading the second wall of the connector away from the first wall of the connector as said raw free end of said first piece of sheet metal slips through the first channel of the connector until such time as said at least one wedge-shaped reverse button lock projection on said raw free end of said first piece of sheet metal just clears the ledge of the connector causing the second wall of the connector to unspread, and in so doing, causes said at least one wedge-shaped reverse button lock projection on said raw free end of said first piece of sheet metal to be snapingly engaged onto, and lockingly captured against, the ledge of the connector, and in so doing, said first piece of sheet metal is secured in the connector;
• wherein said raw free end of said second piece of sheet metal is for being lockingly received in the second channel of the connector by virtue of said at least one wedge-shaped reverse button lock projection on said raw free end of said second piece of sheet metal spreading the third wall of the connector away from the first wall of the connector as said second piece of metal slips through the second channel of the connector until such time as said at least one wedge-shaped reverse button lock projection on said raw free end of said second piece of sheet metal just clears the folded free edge of the third wall of the connector causing the third wall of the connector to unspread, and in so doing, causes said at least wedge-shaped reverse button lock projection on said raw free end of said second piece of sheet metal to be snapingly engaged onto, and lockingly captured against, the folded free edge of the third wall of the connector, and in so doing, said second piece of sheet metal is secured in the connector.

A connector for securely receiving a piece of sheet metal, wherein the piece of sheet metal has a raw free end with at least one wedge-shaped reverse button lock projection thereon, said connector comprising:

• a) a first wall;
• b) a second wall;
• c) a ledge;
• d) a third wall;
• e) a fourth wall;
• and
• f) a flange;
• wherein said second wall and said first wall define a channel therebetween;
• wherein said ledge extends inwardly from said second wall;
• wherein said ledge extends into said channel;
• wherein said channel is for lockingly receiving the raw free end of the piece of sheet metal by virtue of the at least one wedge-shaped reverse button lock projection on the raw free end of the piece of sheet metal spreading said second wall away from said first wall as the raw free end of the piece of sheet metal slips through said channel until such time as the at least one wedge-shaped reverse button lock projection on the raw free end of the piece of sheet metal just clears said ledge causing said second wall to unspread, and in so doing, causes the at least one wedge-shaped reverse button lock projection on the raw free end of the piece of sheet metal to be snapingly engaged onto, and lockingly captured against, said ledge, and in so doing, the piece of sheet metal is secured in said connector;
• wherein said third wall has a raw free end;
• wherein said raw free end of said third wall is for insertion into said channel of a next connector;
• wherein said third wall has a joggle thereon;
• wherein said joggle is inward of said raw free end of said third wall;
• wherein said joggle on said third wall offsets said third wall so as to allow insertion of said raw free end of said third wall into said channel of said next connector without a need for field dressing;
• wherein said fourth wall extends from said ledge to a terminal edge;
• wherein said flange extends outwardly from said fourth wall;
• wherein said flange structurally stiffens said connector;
• wherein said flange has a free edge;
• and
• wherein said free edge of said flange is folded onto itself in a direction away from said ledge so as to form a folded free edge.

A connector for joining a first piece of sheet metal and a second piece of sheet metal together end-to-end, wherein said connector has a length and a longitudinal center line, wherein the first piece of sheet metal has a raw free end with at least one wedge-shaped reverse button lock projection thereon, and wherein the second piece of sheet metal has a joggle thereon, said connector comprising:

• a) a first wall;
• b) a second wall;
• c) a ledge;
• d) a third wall;
• e) a fourth wall;
• and
• f) a flange;
• wherein said second wall and said first wall define a first channel therebetween;
• wherein said ledge extends inwardly from said second wall;
• wherein said ledge extends into said first channel;
• wherein said first channel is for lockingly receiving the raw free end of the first piece of sheet metal by virtue of the at least one wedge-shaped reverse button lock projection on the raw free end of the first piece of sheet metal spreading said second wall away from said first wall as the raw free end of the first piece of sheet metal slips through said first channel until such time as the at least one wedge-shaped reverse button lock projection on the raw free end of the first piece of sheet metal just clears said ledge causing said second wall to unspread, and in so doing, causes the at least one wedge-shaped reverse button lock projection on the raw free end of the first piece of sheet metal to be snapingly engaged onto, and lockingly captured against, said ledge, and in so doing, the first piece of sheet metal is secured in said connector;
• wherein said third wall terminates in a free edge;
• wherein said free edge of said third wall is folded inwardly onto itself so as to form a folded free edge;
• wherein said third wall and said first wall define a second channel therebetween;
• wherein said second channel is for lockingly receiving the raw free end of the second piece of sheet metal;
• wherein said first channel and said second channel open in opposite directions from each other for joining the first piece of sheet metal and the second piece of sheet metal together end-to-end;
• wherein said first channel and said second channel are offset relative to each other, and as a result thereof, requires the joggle on the raw free end of the second piece of sheet metal to offset the second piece of sheet metal so as to allow insertion of the other raw free end of the second piece of sheet metal into said first channel of a next connector without a need for field dressing;
• wherein said fourth wall extends from said ledge to a terminal edge;
• wherein said flange extends outwardly from said fourth wall;
• wherein said flange structurally stiffens said connector;
• wherein said flange has a free edge;
• and
• wherein said free edge of said flange is folded onto itself in a direction away from said ledge so as to form a folded free edge.