# US 7,744,134 B2 · Connecting insulated duct > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 7,744,134 B2 - Document ID: US7744134B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 11/319,090 - Filed: 2005-12-27 - Published: 2006-08-24 - Granted: 2010-06-29 - Earliest claimed: 2005-12-27 - Assignees: Doby Cleats Limited - Inventors: Terence Raymond Dingley - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7744134B2 ## CPC - F24F 13/0209: {characterised by their connecting means, e.g. flanges} - F16L 23/14: for rectangular pipes - F16L 25/026: {for flanged joints} - F16L 59/184: {Flanged joints} - F24F 13/0263: {Insulation for air ducts} - F24F: AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING (removing dirt or fumes from areas where they are produced B08B15/00; vertical ducts for carrying away waste gases from buildings E04F17/02; tops for chimneys or ventilating shafts, terminals for flues F23L17/02) - F16L: PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL ## Abstract A connector assembly is used in connecting one duct section to another, at least one of the duct sections being an insulated duct. The assembly comprises a plurality of first elements, and a plurality of second elements, each first element including attachment means for attachment of an end face of a duct section thereto, and, in use, at least one second element engages with two first elements. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A connector assembly configured to connect an insulated duct section having walls formed of insulated board to another duct section, the assembly comprising a plurality of first elements, and a plurality of second elements, wherein each first element includes attachment means for attachment of an end face of a duct section thereto, and wherein, in use, at least one second element engages with two first elements, wherein each first element comprises a flange, and each attachment means comprises an opening in the flange configured to receive a wall of the insulated duct section, wherein each second element constitutes a corner element, wherein each said first element and each said second element each include a sealing means, and wherein the sealing means of the said first elements comprises a rib extending along a longitudinal axis of each first element and the sealing means of each second element comprises a complementary channel extending between the free ends thereof, wherein, in use, the rib of the first elements being received in the channel of the corner elements, and wherein the sealing means of the first and second elements each extend into and seal in a groove in an end face of the insulated duct section providing a substantially continuous seal between the first and second elements and the end face of the insulated duct section. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein each second element engages with two first elements. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) A connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein each first element includes a second element receiving means. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) A connector assembly according to claim 3, wherein the receiving means comprises an opening so shaped and dimensioned as to receive a part of a second element. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) A connector assembly according to claim 4, wherein the said part of the second element is a push fit in the opening. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) A connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein each first element is formed in pressed steel. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) A connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein the said steel is spring steel. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) A connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein each first element includes at least one reinforcement element. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) A connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein the shape of each corner element constitutes a right angle. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) A connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein each corner element comprises an outer corner and an inner corner, and wherein a raised portion is located at the inner corner. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) A connector assembly according to claim 10, wherein, in use, ends of first elements engage with the raised portions of the corner elements. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) A connector assembly according to claim 1, further comprising fixing means for fixing one insulated duct section provided with a connector assembly according to claim 1 to another duct section provided with a connector assembly. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1, 12) A connector assembly according to claim 12, wherein the another duct section is an insulated duct section and is provided with a connector assembly according to claim 1. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) A connector assembly according to claim 12, wherein each second element includes part of the fixing means. ### Claim 15 (depends on 12) A connector assembly according to claim 12, wherein the fixing means includes an aperture in each corner element and a fastener passing through two aligned apertures. ### Claim 16 An assembled duct comprising an insulated duct section having walls formed of insulated board and another duct section, wherein the insulated duct section is provided with a connector assembly connecting the insulated duct section to the other duct section, the assembly comprising a plurality of first elements, and a plurality of second elements, wherein each first element includes attachment means for attachment of an end face of a duct section thereto, and wherein at least one second element engages with two first elements, wherein each first element comprises a flange, and each attachment means comprises an opening in the flange, a wall of the insulated duct section being received in said opening, wherein each second element constitutes a corner element, wherein each said first element and each said second element each include a sealing means, and wherein the sealing means of each said first element comprises a rib extending along a longitudinal axis of the first element and the sealing means of each second element comprises a complementary channel extending between the free ends thereof, the rib of the first elements being received in the channel of the corner elements, and wherein the sealing means of the first and second elements each extend into and seal in a groove in an end face of the insulated board of the insulated duct section received in the said opening, providing a substantially continuous seal between the first and second elements and the end face of the insulated duct section.