Method of tightening ducts
OwnerJoseph Di Lallainventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A tool for drawing duct sections together is formed of a U-shaped steel section. The center pane of the U has a V-shaped notch that is slipped behind the flanges of duct sections. The V draws the duct sections together as the tool is moved into place. When the tool is in place, a cleat can be inserted over the flanges from the same direction as the tool was installed. Because of the gauge of material used to make the tool, the cleat and the tool both fit behind the flanges of the of the ducts, allowing the cleat and tool to be installed from the same side of the duct. After the cleat is in place, the tool can be removed.
Claims5
A method of tightening duct sections, each section having a wall and a return flange along an edge to define a groove between the wall and the return flange that extends along the edge, the grooves of adjacent duct sections being adapted to receive a retaining cleat with a pair of arms, each arm proportioned to fit in a groove when the edges of the duct sections are drawn adjacent to each other,
- said method comprising
- placing two duct sections in an initial position where the ducts are generally aligned with each other, positioning a tool having a V-shaped slot with each edge of the V-shaped slot engaging an end portion of one of the grooves and pressing the tool so that as the edges of the duct sections move toward the bottom of the V-shaped slot they are forced by the walls of the V-shaped slot toward each other,
- inserting a cleat over the returns with one arm in each groove starting at said end portions of the grooves while the edges of the V-shaped slot remain in the grooves, and
- thereafter removing the tool.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.