Duct cleat and duct cleat tool

Abstract

2 / 3 FIGURE 4 FIGURE 5 FIGURE 6 FIGURE 7 100 100 100 200 200 200 200 300 300 300 300 322 324 222 224 400 400 400 D 1 320220 222 322 324224 D 1 20 20 21 02 88 3 1 Ju l 2 02 0 224 324 2020210288 31 Jul 2020 200 300 222 322 220 320 400 FIGURE 4 300 400 100 300 FIGURE 6 100 224 324 200 300 FIGURE 7

Description

Duct cleat and duct cleat tool Field of the invention

[0001] The invention relates to a duct cleat and a duct cleat tool. Background

[0002] Ducts are typically used in buildings for ventilation, heating and / or air-conditioning as examples. There are typically a plurality of interconnected ducts depending at least on the size of the building and the layout inside the building. Each duct has flanges that surround an opening of the duct. To connect these ducts together, the ducts are arranged in series such that opening of one duct is aligned with an opening on another duct and the flange of one duct is generally beside the flange of the other duct. A prior art cleat, such as the cleat shown in Figure 1, is then used to secure these ducts together. The ducts are secured by hooking one end of the cleat, with the hook portion, onto the flange of one of the ducts then stretching the cleat to snap it over and around the adjacent flange to secure the flanges together.

[0003] Due to the way in which these cleats are installed on adjacent ducts, the process of installing these cleats is labor-intensive and time-consuming. As a result, the process of assembling ducts using these cleats is costly.

[0004] In addition, ducts that are connected by these cleats would not be able to be carried as doing so would put stresses on the cleats and cause the cleat to deform. As a result, each duct needs to be individually positioned at the desired location in the building and, once they are in the desired positions, the cleats are then applied to secure the ducts. The process of arranging the ducts is however time consuming.

[0005] In this context, there is a need for improved cleating system and method that solves the problems discussed above and / or that at least provides the public with a useful choice. Summary of the invention

[0006] According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a duct cleat for securing together two duct portions, each duct portion having an opening alignable with an opening of the other duct portion to arrange the duct portions in series and a flange portion near the opening, the flange portion having an elongate portion extending away from the duct portion and a lip portion extending away from the elongate portion, such that, when the two duct portions are arranged in series, the elongate portion of the flange portion of a first one of the duct portions and the elongate portion of the flange portion of a second one of the duct portions are beside each other and the lip portion of the flange portion of the first one of the duct portions and the lip portion of the flange portion of the second one of the duct portions extend away from each other, the duct cleat including: a rigid body being drivable onto the lip portions of the two duct portions that arranged in series, the rigid body having a first clamp portion for clamping onto the lip portion of the first one of the duct portions, and a second clamp portion for clamping onto the lip portion of the second one of the duct portions, wherein, when the first and second ones of the duct portions are arranged in series, the rigid body is drivable onto the lip portions of the first and second ones of the duct portions in a direction parallel to an axis along a width of the duct portions such that the first and second clamp portions trap the lip portions of the flange portions therebetween to thereby secure the duct portions together.

[0007] The rigid body is preferably made from steel having a thickness of at least about 0.7mm. The rigid body may have a thickness of between about 1.0mm and about 3.0mm. The rigid body is preferably be made from steel having a thickness of about 1.6mm. The rigid body may have a thickness of more than 1.6mm.

[0008] The rigid body preferably has a length that is at least about 200mm less than the width of the duct portions. The rigid body may have a length that is at least about 100mm less than the width of the duct portions. The rigid body may alternatively had a length that is equal to the width of the duct portions.

[0009] Each of the first and second clamp portions preferably has a free end portion that is locatable on an underside of a respective one of the lip portions, wherein the free end portion of the first clamp portion and the free end portion of the second clamp portion are substantially parallel to each other.

[0010] The free end portion of the first clamp portion and the free end portion of the second clamp portion may be spaced apart from each other by at least about 10mm. The free end portion of the first clamp portion and the free end portion of the second clamp portion are preferably spaced apart from each other by about 12mm.

[0011] Each of the first and second clamp portions preferably has a C-shape cross-sectional profile, within which a respective one of the lip portions is received, one end of the clamp portion forming a continuous body portion with an end of the other clamp portion, and another end being the free end portion. The free end portion of each first and second clamp portion is preferably at an angle of about 85° from the rest of the clamp portion.

[0012] A cross-sectional profile of the rigid body is preferably substantially symmetrical.

[0013] Another aspect of the present invention provides a tool for driving a duct cleat according to the aspect described above onto two duct portions, each duct portion having an opening alignable with an opening of the other duct portion when the duct portions are arranged in series and a flange portion near the opening, the flange portion having an elongate portion extending away from the duct portion and a lip portion extending away from the elongate portion, such that, when the two duct portions are arranged in series, the elongate portion of the flange portion of a first one of the duct portions and the elongate portion of the flange portion of a second one of the duct portions are beside each other and the lip portion of the flange portion of the first one of the duct portions and the lip portion of the flange portion of the second one of the duct portions extend away from each other, the tool including: a cleat-receiving chamber for receiving the cleat, an open end through which a cleat can be provided in the cleat-receiving chamber, and a driving end, opposite the open end, from which end the tool with the cleat is driven onto the lip portions of the flange portions.

[0014] The cleat-receiving chamber is preferably shaped to complementarily receive the cleat.

[0015] The tool preferably further includes a shaft extending from the driving end. The shaft is preferably engageable by a pneumatic or electro-mechanical device for driving the tool in a forward direction.

[0016] The tool may further include a slot, communicable with the cleat-receiving chamber, through which the flange portions of the duct portions are passable such that when the cleat is located in the cleat-receiving chamber, a mouth of the cleat between the two clamp portions face the slot and when the flange portions are within the slot the lip portions of the flange portions are locatable within the cleat-receiving chamber. Brief description of the drawings

[0017] The invention will now be described, by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a prior art cleat; Figure 2 is an end view of a duct cleat according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 is a plan view of a sheet of steel for forming a duct cleat according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4 shows a schematic side view of duct portions arranged in series; Figure 5 shows a schematic side view of duct portions arranged in series with a cleat according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 6 shows a schematic perspective view of the duct portions with the cleat of Figure 5; Figure 7 shows a schematic detailed side view of the duct portions with the cleat of Figure 5; and Figures 8A to 8C show different views of a duct cleat tool according to an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed description of preferred embodiments

[0018] Figure 2 illustrates a duct cleat 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The duct cleat 100 is for securing together two duct portions that are arranged in series. When the two duct portions are arranged in series and secured by the duct cleat, the duct portions, in a horizontal orientation, can be lifted on site by a crane and moved into position in the building. In the horizontal orientation, the duct portions are arranged in series such that one duct portion is vertically above another duct portion. Instead of the prior art cleat that requires each individual duct to be positioned in the building before the cleat is applied to the ducts, the cleats according to embodiments of the present invention allow the ducts to secured to each other before they are carried to the desired location in the building. The duct cleat 100 provides structural reinforcement at a join between the two duct portions that allows the duct to be carried, in the horizontal orientation, without the duct portions coming apart from each other.

[0019] The duct cleat 100 has a rigid body, which is preferably made from steel. The rigid body has a gauge of about 1.6mm. In other embodiments, the rigid body has a gauge of at least about 0.7mm, for example between about 1.0mm and 3.0mm. The thicker gauge for the rigid material provides stronger structural reinforcement to the duct portions. By providing a thicker gauge, the duct cleat 100 would substantially resist any bending or deformation that would arise particularly when duct portions secured together by the duct cleat 100 is lifted, e.g. in a horizontal orientation.

[0020] The duct cleat 100 is an elongate body. The elongate body has an end from which the duct cleat can be driven onto portions of the duct portions for securing the duct portions together. A cross- sectional profile of the duct cleat 100, with reference to Figure 2, is substantially symmetrical.

[0021] The duct cleat 100 has a length that is about 200mm shorter than a width of the duct portions being secured. Thereby, when the duct cleat 100 is attached to the duct portions, the duct cleat 100 would span a substantial width of the duct portion so as to provide a continuous structural reinforcement along the width if the duct portion. When the duct cleat is mounted onto the duct portions, there is a spacing of about 100mm from either end of the duct cleat to the end of the duct. The duct cleat in some embodiments has a length that is less than 100mm shorter than a width of the duct portions, or a length that is substantially equal to a width of the duct portion. The duct cleat 100 may be cut on site depending on the size of the duct portions to be secured together.

[0022] The duct cleat 100 has a first clamp (or jaw) portion 120 and a second clamp (or jaw) portion 140. Each of the first and second clamp portions 120, 140 is configured or arranged to receive portions of a flange of a respective duct portion. The clamping portions 120, 140 trap or embrace the portions of the flange of a first duct portion and portions of the flange of a second duct portion therebetween to secure the first and second duct portions together. Each clamp portion 120, 140 has a hook shape for hooking the portions of the flange of the duct portion.

[0023] Each of the first and second clamp portions 120, 140 has a C-shape cross-sectional profile. One end of the clamp portion 120 is a fixed end, which forms a continuous body portion with an end of the other clamp portion 140. Another end of each clamp portion 120, 140 is a free end portion. The free end portion of the first clamp portion 120 and the free end portion of the second clamp portion 140 are substantially parallel to each other. An axis that passes through the free end portion of the first clamp portion 120 also passes through the free end portion of the second clamp portion 140. The free end portion of the first clamp portion and the free end portion of the second clamp portion may be spaced apart from each other by about 12mm. In other embodiments, the free end portion of the first clamp portion and the free end portion of the second clamp portion are spaced apart from each other by at least about 10mm.

[0024] The clamp portions 120, 140 define a space 160 therebetween in which portions of the flange of the first duct portion and portions of the flange of the second duct portion can be received. When the portions of the flanges of the first and second duct portions are located in the space, the duct cleat would resist removal from the duct portions in a direction transverse to a surface of the duct portions on which the duct cleat 100 is provided.

[0025] The free end portion of each clamp portion 120, 140 is locatable on an underside of the portions of the flange of the respective duct portion such that the portions of the flange is trapped, in a first axis, between the free end of the respective clamp portion 120, 140 and the fixed end of the respective clamp portion 120, 140. When the portions of the flange of the first duct portion and the portions of the flange of the second duct portion are located in the space 160 defined by the clamp portions 120, 140, the portions of the flanges are trapped in the space, in a second axis perpendicular to the first axis.

[0026] The free end portion of each first and second clamp portion is preferably at an angle of about 85° from the rest of the clamp portion.

[0027] Figure 3 shows a sheet of steel 100' from which the duct cleat 100, described with reference to Figure 1, is formed. The sheet 100 has a first elongate half 120' that forms the first clamp portion of the duct cleat and a second elongate half 140' that forms the second clamp portion of the duct cleat. The sheet of steel 100' is folded to form the first and second clamp portions of the duct cleat. The sheet 100' is folded at an angle of about 85° about a first fold line near an end of the sheet 100' to form a first elongate portion between the end of the sheet and the first fold line. The sheet 100' is subsequently folded at an angle of about 85° about a second fold line to form a second elongate portion between the first fold line and the second fold line. The sheet 100" is subsequently folded at an angle of about 20° about a third fold line to form a third elongate portion between the second fold line and the third fold line. The sheet 100" is subsequently folded at an angle of about 85° about a fourth fold line to form a fourth elongate portion between the third fold line and the fourth fold line. The sheet 100" is subsequently folded at an angle of about 85° about a fifth fold line to form a fifth elongate portion between the fourth fold line and the fifth fold line. A sixth elongate portion is formed between another end of the sheet and the fifth fold line.

[0028] The first, second, and third elongate portions form the first clamp portion 120' of the duct cleat, while the fourth, fifth and sixth portions form the second clamp portion 140’ of the duct cleat. The fold lines are substantially parallel to each other. In addition, a width of the first elongate portion is substantially equal to a width of the sixth elongate portion, a width of the second elongate portion is substantially equal to a width of the fifth elongate portion, and a width of the third elongate portion is substantially equal to a width of the fourth elongate portion. Thereby, the duct cleat when formed by folding the sheet 100" has a substantially symmetrical profile.

[0029] The sheet of material may be folded at the first, second, fourth, and fifth fold lines at other angles besides 85°, for example, at an angle between about 45° and about 90°. The sheet of material may be folded at the third fold line at other angles besides 20°, for example, at an angle between about 10° and about 30°.

[0030] Figures 4 to 7 show the duct cleat 100 for securing together two duct portions 200, 300.

[0031] With reference to Figure 4, the duct portion has a square cross-sectional profile. In other embodiments, the duct portion may have other shapes. Each duct portion 200, 300 has an opening that is alignable with an opening of the other duct portion 200, 300 to arrange the duct portions in series. The opening is substantially square shape. When the openings of one duct portion and another duct portion are aligned, air can flow from one duct portion to the other. Surrounding each opening of the duct portion 100 is a flange portion 220, 320 having a substantially L-shape cross-sectional profile. Each flange portion 220, 320 has an elongate portion 222, 322 that extends away from the respective duct portion 200, 300 and a lip portion 224, 324 that extends away from the elongate portion. The elongate portion 222, 322 and the lip portion 224, 324 of each respective flange portion 220, 320 forms the substantially L-shape cross sectional profile of the flange portion.

[0032] As shown in Figures 4 and 7, when the two duct portions 200, 300 are arranged in series, the elongate portions 222, 322 are beside each other and the lip portions 224, 324 extend away from each other.

[0033] With reference to Figures 4 to 6, a gasket 400 is provided between the two duct portions 200, 300 that are arranged in series. The gasket is compressible to provide a seal between the duct portions. Fasteners (e.g. screws or bolts) may be used to fasten the duct portions 200, 300 together so as to compress the gasket to provide the seal between the duct portions 200, 300. The fasteners can be used before the duct cleat is provided onto the flange portions and / or after the duct cleat is provided onto the flange portions.

[0034] With reference to Figures 5 and 6, when the duct portions 200, 300 are arranged in series with the gasket 400 provided therebetween, the duct cleat 100 (as described with reference to Figure 1) is driven onto the lip portions of the flange portions in a direction D; from an end of the duct portions. That is, the cleat 100 is drivable onto the lip portions 224, 324 in a direction that is parallel to an axis of the width of the duct portions 200, 300. When the duct cleat 100 is driven onto the lip portions of the flange portions, the duct cleat urges the duct portions towards each other compressing the gasket 400 between the duct portions.

[0035] With reference to Figure 7, when the duct portions 200, 300 are secured together by the duct cleat 100, the lip portions 224, 324 of the flange portions of the duct portions 200, 300 are located in the space between the clamp portions of the duct cleat, and the lip portions 224, 324 between the clamp portions. The free end portions of the clamp portions of the duct cleat 100 are located on a respective underside of the lip portion of the duct portion. The duct cleat 100 is driven onto the lip portions 224, 324 in a direction into (or out) the page. When the duct cleat 100 is mounted onto the lip portions 224, 324, the duct cleat 100 would not be removable from the duct portions in a direction away from a surface of the duct portions 200, 300 on which the duct cleat 100 is mounted.

[0036] Figures 8A to 8C show a tool for driving a duct cleat according to embodiments of the preset invention, onto two duct portions.

[0037] The tool 500 has a cleat-receiving chamber 520 for receiving the duct cleat. The cleat- receiving chamber 520 preferably shaped to complementarily receive the duct cleat. The duct cleat snugly fits inside the cleat-receiving chamber. When the duct cleat is received by the cleat-receiving chamber 520, there is substantially no or minimal movement between of the duct cleat 100 in the cleat receiving chamber 520. The cleat-receiving chamber keeps the duct cleat substantially steady as the duct cleat is being driven onto the duct portions.

[0038] The cleat-receiving chamber 520 has a wall portion 522 against which an end of the duct cleat is abuttable. In particular, the wall portion 522 provides a driving surface for the duct cleat. The wall portion contacts the entire end surface of the duct cleat so as to substantially evenly distribute force across the end surface of the duct cleat as the duct cleat is being driven onto the duct portions.

[0039] The tool 500 also has a slot 540 that is communicable with the cleat-receiving chamber 520. The flange portions, in particular the elongate portions of the flange portions, are passable through the slot 540. When a duct cleat is received in the cleat-receiving chamber 520, a mouth of the duct cleat (i.e. the gap between the free end portions of the duct cleat) faces the slot 540. As the duct cleat received by the cleat-receiving chamber 520 is driven onto the duct portions and the tool 500 approaches the duct portions, the flange portions, in particular the elongate portions of the flange portions, are passable through the slot 540. Thereby, the duct cleat can pass an edge of the flange portions of the duct portions. The slot has a wall portion against which the flange portions are abuttable. The wall portion of the slot is offset from the wall portion 522 of the cleat-receiving chamber by about 100mm. When the flange portions reach the end of the duct portions, the an end of the cleat would be about 100mm from an end of the flange portions.

[0040] The tool has an open end 560 from which end a duct cleat is insertable into the cleat- receiving chamber 520 and a driving end 580, opposite the open end 560, from which end the tool is driven. A shaft 582 extends from the driving end. The shaft being engageable by a pneumatic or electro- mechanical device for driving the tool in a forward direction.

[0041] While various embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, and not by way of limitation. It will be apparent to a person skilled in the relevant art that various changes in form and detail can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Thus, the present invention should not be limited by any of the above described exemplary embodiments.

[0042] The reference in this specification to any prior publication (or information derived from it), or to any matter which is known, is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgment or admission or any form of suggestion that that prior publication (or information derived from it) or known matter forms part of the common general knowledge in the field of endeavor to which this specification relates.

[0043] Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise", and variations such as "comprises" and "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps.

Claims

THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS:

1. A duct cleat for securing together two duct portions, each duct portion having an opening alignable with an opening of the other duct portion to arrange the duct portions in series and a flange portion near the opening, the flange portion having an elongate portion extending away from the duct portion and a lip portion extending away from the elongate portion, such that, when the two duct portions are arranged in series, the elongate portion of the flange portion of a first one of the duct portions and the elongate portion of the flange portion of a second one of the duct portions are beside each other and the lip portion of the flange portion of the first one of the duct portions and the lip portion of the flange portion of the second one of the duct portions extend away from each other, the duct cleat including: a rigid body being drivable onto the lip portions of the two duct portions that arranged in series, the rigid body having a first clamp portion for clamping onto the lip portion of the first one of the duct portions, and a second clamp portion for clamping onto the lip portion of the second one of the duct portions, wherein, when the first and second ones of the duct portions are arranged in series, the rigid body is drivable onto the lip portions of the first and second ones of the duct portions in a direction parallel to an axis along a width of the duct portions such that the first and second clamp portions trap the lip portions of the flange portions therebetween to thereby secure the duct portions together.

2. The duct cleat of claim 1, wherein the rigid body is made from steel having a gauge of at least about 0.7mm.

3. The duct cleat of claim 2, wherein the rigid body is made from steel having a gauge of about 1.6mm. 4, The duct cleat of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the rigid body has a length that is at least about 200mm less than the width of the duct portions.

5. The duct cleat of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein each of the first and second clamp portions has a free end portion that is locatable on an underside of a respective one of the lip portions, wherein the free end portion of the first clamp portion and the free end portion of the second clamp portion are substantially parallel to each other.

6. The duct cleat of claim 5, wherein the free end portion of the first clamp portion and the free end portion of the second clamp portion are spaced apart from each other by at least about 10mm.

7. The duct cleat of claim 6, wherein the free end portion of the first clamp portion and the free end portion of the second clamp portion are spaced apart from each other by about 12mm.

8. The duct cleat of any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein each of the first and second clamp portions has a C-shape cross-sectional profile, within which a respective one of the lip portions is received, one end of the clamp portion forming a continuous body portion with an end of the other clamp portion, and another end being the free end portion.

9. The duct cleat of any one of claims 5 to 8, wherein the free end portion of each first and second clamp portion is at an angle of about 85° from the rest of the clamp portion 10. The duct cleat of any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein a cross-sectional profile of the rigid body is substantially symmetrical.

11. A tool for driving a duct cleat of any one of claims 1 to 10 onto two duct portions, each duct portion having an opening alignable with an opening of the other duct portion when the duct portions are arranged in series and a flange portion near the opening, the flange portion having an elongate portion extending away from the duct portion and a lip portion extending away from the elongate portion, such that, when the two duct portions are arranged in series, the elongate portion of the flange portion of a first one of the duct portions and the elongate portion of the flange portion of a second one of the duct portions are beside each other and the lip portion of the flange portion of the first one of the duct portions and the lip portion of the flange portion of the second one of the duct portions extend away from each other, the tool including: a cleat-receiving chamber for receiving the cleat, an open end through which a cleat can be provided in the cleat-receiving chamber, and a driving end, opposite the open end, from which end the tool with the cleat is driven onto the lip portions of the flange portions.

12. The tool of claim 11, wherein the cleat-receiving chamber is shaped to complementarily receive the cleat.

13. The tool of claim 11 or 12 further including a shaft extending from the driving end, the shaft being engageable by a pneumatic or electro-mechanical device for driving the tool in a forward direction.

14. The tool of any one of claims 11 to 13, wherein the tool includes a slot, communicable with the cleat-receiving chamber, through which the flange portions of the duct portions are passable such that when the cleat is located in the cleat-receiving chamber, a mouth of the cleat between the two clamp portions face the slot and when the flange portions are within the slot the lip portions of the flange portions are locatable within the cleat-receiving chamber,

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