Flex duct connection system

Abstract

An exemplary duct system includes a rigid duct member, a first duct connector connected to the rigid duct member, a first sealing member disposed between the rigid duct member and the first duct connector, a flexible duct, a second duct connector connected to the flexible duct, and a second sealing member disposed between the first duct connector and the second duct connector. The first duct connector is assembled to the second duct connector to compress the second sealing member and form a seal between the first duct connector and the second duct connector and thereby form a seal between the rigid duct member and the flexible duct.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A duct system comprising:
 a rigid duct member;   a first duct connector connected to the rigid duct member;   a first sealing member disposed between the rigid duct member and the first duct connector;   a flexible duct;   a second duct connector connected to the flexible duct; and   a second sealing member disposed between the first duct connector and the second duct connector;   wherein the first duct connector is assembled to the second duct connector to compress the second sealing member and form a seal between the first duct connector and the second duct connector and thereby form a seal between the rigid duct member and the flexible duct.   
     
     
         2 . The duct system of  claim 1 , wherein the first duct connector includes:
 a tube portion having a first end, a second end, an outer surface, and an inner surface;   a mating portion disposed at the first end of the tube portion; and   a flange portion disposed on the outer surface of the tube portion at the first end, the flange portion having a front side, a back side, and an opening.   
     
     
         3 . The duct system of  claim 1 , wherein the first duct connector includes:
 one or more securing members having a first end and a second end, the first end disposed at the front side of the flange portion and the second end disposed at the second end of the tube portion; and   one or more tab members attached to the second end of the one or more securing members, wherein the tab members are moved between an un-deployed and a deployed position by the one or more securing members.   
     
     
         4 . The duct system of  claim 1 , wherein the second duct connector includes:
 a tube portion having a first end, a second end, an outer surface, and an inner surface, the second end including an annular ridge disposed on the outer surface.   
     
     
         5 . The duct system of  claim 1 , wherein the second duct connector includes:
 a mating portion disposed at the first end of the tube portion; and   a flange portion disposed on the outer surface of the tube portion at the first end, the flange portion having a front side, a back side, an opening, and an annular collar portion extending axially toward the second end of the tube portion, the annular collar portion having an outer surface and an annular ridge disposed on the outer surface.   
     
     
         6 . A duct system comprising:
 a rigid duct;   a first duct connector connected to the rigid duct member;   a first sealing member disposed between the rigid duct member and the first duct connector;   a flexible duct;   a second duct connector connected to a first end of the flexible duct;   a second sealing member disposed between the first duct connector and the second duct connector;   a third duct connector connected to a second end of the flexible duct;   a duct outlet boot;   a fourth duct connector connected to the outlet boot;   a third sealing member disposed between the third duct connector and the fourth duct connector;   wherein the first duct connector is assembled to the second duct connector to compress the second sealing member and form a seal between the first duct connector and the second duct connector and thereby form a seal between the rigid duct and the flexible duct; and   wherein the third duct connector is assembled to the fourth duct connector to compress the third sealing member and form a seal between the third duct connector and the fourth duct connector and thereby form a seal between the flexible duct and the outlet boot.   
     
     
         7 . The duct system of  claim 6 , wherein the first duct connector includes:
 a tube portion having a first end, a second end, an outer surface, and an inner surface;   a mating portion disposed at the first end of the tube portion; and   a flange portion disposed on the outer surface of the tube portion at the first end, the flange portion having a front side, a back side, and an opening.   
     
     
         8 . The duct system of  claim 6 , wherein the first duct connector includes:
 one or more securing members having a first end and a second end, the first end disposed at the front side of the flange portion and the second end disposed at the second end of the tube portion; and   one or more tab members attached to the second end of the one or more securing members, wherein the tab members are moved between an un-deployed and a deployed position by the one or more securing members.   
     
     
         9 . The duct system of  claim 6 , wherein the second duct connector includes:
 a tube portion having a first end, a second end, an outer surface, and an inner surface, the second end including an annular ridge disposed on the outer surface.   
     
     
         10 . The duct system of  claim 6 , wherein the second duct connector includes:
 a mating portion disposed at the first end of the tube portion; and   a flange portion disposed on the outer surface of the tube portion at the first end, the flange portion having a front side, a back side, an opening, and an annular collar portion extending axially toward the second end of the tube portion, the annular collar portion having an outer surface and an annular ridge disposed on the outer surface.   
     
     
         11 . The duct system of  claim 6 , wherein the third duct connector includes:
 a tube portion having a first end, a second end, an outer surface, and an inner surface, the second end including an annular ridge disposed on the outer surface;   a mating portion disposed at the first end of the tube portion; and   a flange portion disposed on the outer surface of the tube portion at the first end, the flange portion having a front side, a back side, an opening, and an annular collar portion extending axially toward the second end of the tube portion, the annular collar portion having an outer surface and an annular ridge disposed on the outer surface.   
     
     
         12 . The duct system of  claim 6 , wherein the fourth duct connector includes:
 a tube portion having a first end, a second end, an outer surface, and an inner surface;   a mating portion disposed at the first end of the tube portion;   a flange portion disposed on the outer surface of the tube portion at the first end, the flange portion having a front side, a back side, and an opening;   one or more securing members having a first end and a second end, the first end disposed at the front side of the flange portion and the second end disposed at the second end of the tube portion; and   one or more tab members attached to the second end of the one or more securing members, wherein the tab members are moved between an un-deployed and a deployed position by the one or more securing members.