Brennan Industries Introduces New Stainless Steel O-Ring Face Seal and Flange Adapters

Machined from round stock, flange adapters are hot-piercing bent for desired angle and do not have braze and weld points. Swept configurations enable performance in limited clearance applications and connection sizes range from ?-4 in. Operating in pressures as high as 6,000 psi, SS O-ring face seal fittings are designed to eliminate leaks in hydraulic systems on industrial/commercial equipment. They are available in 23 configurations and in 35 size combinations.

CLEVELAND - Brennan Industries Inc., a leading international supplier of hydraulic fittings and adapters, extends its stainless steel product offering by introducing new stainless steel O-ring face seal and flange adapters. Stainless steel offers a superior corrosion resistance and sealing for critical, harsh-duty applications.

"The new adapters are ideal in facilities alongside stainless steel instrumentation fittings and flareless bite-type fittings, as well as with other NPT and JIC products," said Bill Jarrell, vice president of marketing and procurement at Brennan Industries. "The new O-ring face seal and flange adapters are an important addition to our stainless steel offerings."

Machined from round stock, Brennan Industries flange adapters are hot-piercing bent for the desired angle and do not have braze and weld points. Swept configurations allow Brennan Industries flange adapters to perform in limited clearance application situations, while their construction enables them to endure extremely high working pressures and tensile strength. Brennan flange adapters range in connection sizes from 1/2 to 4 inches.

O-ring face seal fittings eliminate leaks in hydraulic systems, while permitting operating pressures as high as 6,000 psi. Developed for hydraulic systems on both industrial and commercial equipment, the product line is available in 23 different configurations, and in 35 different size combinations.

Brennan Industries' O-ring face seal fittings are designed specifically for applications where elastomeric seals are acceptable to overcome leakage and variations in assembly procedures. The fittings can easily be connected to a range of tubing grades by silver brazing. In addition, the fittings can easily be disassembled and reassembled.

About Brennan Industries

Supplying a wide range of industries throughout the world, Brennan Industries offers more than 25,000 standard and special hydraulic fittings and adapters in sizes ranging from 1/8 to 2 ? inches. These include a wide choice of fitting and adapter types such as tube, O-ring face seal, instrumentation, metric bite type, push-to-connect, conversion and flareless bite type. Brennan Industries also offers valves, clamps and swivels. Most products are available in carbon steel, stainless steel and brass, and meet or exceed J.I.C., S.A.E. and other specification.

Brennan flange products are stocked at six strategically located, full-service distribution centers in: Atlanta, Cleveland, Dallas, Los Angeles, Seattle and Toronto.

Camera with flange back adjusting mechanism

A camera includes a flange back adjusting mechanism in which the operation of the flange back adjusting mechanism is not obstructed, and the flange back adjustment is easily performed. A flange back adjusting mechanism which moves and adjusts a CCD in the direction of the optical axis can be operated by an operation section which protrudes to the outside of a case portion through an operation window. The operation window is opened in a side wall face of a camera chassis separating rearward from a lens mount portion along the direction of the optical axis and on a peripheral wall of a case portion of the camera chassis.

The illustrated camera with a flange back adjusting mechanism is disclosed in JP-B-7-8021, and includes: a camera chassis 5 having a lens mount portion 3 to which a lens is to be mounted and a case portion 4 which is rearward continuous to thelens mount portion 3; a device holder 9 which is supported by the camera chassis 5 so as to be movable in the vicinity of the imaging position of the lens mounted to the lens mount portion 3 and along the optical axis 7 of the lens; a CCD (charge-coupleddevice) 11 serving as a solid state imaging device which is held on the optical axis of the lens by the device holder 9 and which converts an incident optical signal into an electric signal and outputs the electric signal; and a flange back adjustingmechanism 13 which moves and adjusts the position of the device holder 9 in the direction of the optical axis of the lens.

In this example, the lens mount portion 3 is formed separately from the case portion 4. The lens mount portion 3 has a substantially cylindrical shape, and includes a front escutcheon 3a which is formed integrally with the periphery of the mountportion. Four corners of the escutcheon 3a are fastened to a front face of the case portion 4 by screw members 15, whereby the mount is coupled and fixed to the case portion 4.

The device holder 9 has a rectangular recess 9a into which the CCD 11 is fitted. The periphery of the CCD 11 which is fitted into the recess 9a is pressed by a device pressing plate 17 which is screwed to a front face of the device holder 9 inorder to attain a state where the CCD is fixed to the device holder 9.

The device holder 9 is fixed to a chassis attaching bracket 19 by screw members 18. The bracket 19 is supported so as to be movable in the direction of the optical axis of the lens between a front wall 4a of the case portion 4 and the lens mountportion 3. The bracket 19 is urged toward the lens mount portion 3 by springs 21 which are inserted in a compressed state between the bracket and the front wall 4a of the case portion 4.

In the flange back adjusting mechanism 13, a stopper portion 23a which butts against a front end portion of the bracket 19 that is urged by the springs 21 in order to perform positioning of the bracket 19 in the direction of the optical axis, anda cam portion 23b which gives a displacement of the lens in the direction of the optical axis are disposed on a cam ring 23 which is fitted onto an outer periphery of the lens mount portion 3.

In order to attain the object, the camera with a flange back adjusting mechanism of the invention is a camera with a flange back adjusting mechanism including: a camera chassis having a lens mount portion; a device holder which is supported bythe camera chassis to be movable in a vicinity of an imaging position of a lens and in a direction of an optical axis; a solid state imaging device which is held by the device holder; and a flange back adjusting mechanism which moves and adjusts thedevice holder in the direction of the optical axis,

wherein the flange back adjusting mechanism includes: a cam ring which is supported to be rotatable about the optical axis in the camera chassis and in which a cam surface is disposed in a peripheral edge portion, a projection length of the camsurface in the direction of the optical axis being gradually changed in a circumferential direction; a positioning protrusion which protrudes from the device holder, a tip end of the protrusion butting against the cam surface; a holder urging springwhich urges the device holder toward the cam ring to maintain a state where the positioning protrusion butts against the cam surface; an operation window which is opened in a side wall face of the camera chassis, the side wall face extending along thedirection of the optical axis; and a ring driving mechanism which rotates the cam ring by an operation section that protrudes to an outside through the operation window.

According to the configuration, the operation section of the flange back adjusting mechanism for moving the device holder is placed on the side wall face of the camera chassis which is rearward separated from the lens mount portion. Even when aninterchangeable lens of a large aperture is mounted to the lens mount portion, therefore, the operation section does not hide in a valley portion behind the interchangeable lens.

In the camera with a flange back adjusting mechanism, preferably, the ring driving mechanism is configured to rotate a driving gear which meshes with the cam ring by the operation section, and includes an elastic member which applies to thedriving gear a load that blocks rotation of the driving gear when a rotation operating force is equal to or smaller than a reference.

According to the configuration, the load which is applied to the driving gear by the elastic member exerts a braking function which prevents rattling of the driving gear and the operation section due to backlash in a gear train used in the flange back adjusting mechanism, from occurring, thereby preventing an error due to rattling from being produced in transmission of the operating force.

Flange Turning Process Machine

A spiral pipe has an integrated radial flange. A machine for forming such a flange comprises a rotor which rotates and a flange roller mechanism connected to the rotor via slides. As the rotor rotates, the flange roller mechanism moves radially via the slides to form an integrated flange on an end portion of the spiral pipe.

A flange turning machine for creating a flange on a spiral pipe, the machine comprising: a mandrel; jaws configured to hold the spiral pipe against the mandrel; arotor configured to rotate; a slide configured to move radially from a start position on the rotor to an end position on the rotor; a central shaft slide configured to move from a rearward position to a forward position; a slide moving arm configuredto move the slide from the start position to the end position as the central shaft slide moves from the rearward position to the forward position; and a flange turning roller mounted on the slide, and configured to create the flange by deforming an endportion of the spiral pipe against the jaws as the rotor rotates and the slide moves from the start position to the end position.

Spiral pipe is used in a variety of duct work applications. Spiral pipe is typically manufactured from galvanized steel, and is available in a wide variety of diameters, ranging from 3-inches to 80-inches. Similarly, spiral pipe is available ina wide wall thickness, ranging from 26-gauge up through 16-gauge. Lastly, spiral pipe may come in a variety of lengths, ranging from 1-foot to 20-feet, with 10-feet lengths being standard.

Spiral pipe is made by forming a coil of metal into a rigid steal tube with a four-ply spiral lock seam. Though it is common in the art to refer to this type of pipe as "spiral pipe" pipe, the seam of the pipe extends helically along the lengthof the pipe. Forming the spiral pipe in this way results in the pipe having a resistance to crushing approximately 21/2times that of a longitudinally box seamed or longitudinally welded pipe. In addition, the spiral pipe has a smooth interior for lowfriction loss because the grooved seam is entirely on the outside. This low friction loss inside the spiral pipe allows the air to flow smoothly or "tumble" down the tube, increasing the efficiency of air flow through the spiral pipe.

Pipe-to-pipe connections are typically made using a fitting size coupling that slips inside the mating pipe sections. A stop bead runs around the middle of the coupling to center the coupling between the two pipe sections. The coupling is thensecured by installing sheet metal screws through the outer shell of the duct a half inch from the stop bead. This method is time-consuming, increases the labor lost, and requires the tools and space necessary to allow the coupling to be attached to thespiral pipes. Further, the resulting connection created at the coupling may reduce the efficiency of the air flow through the spiral pipes. Specifically, the air does not flow efficiently through the pipes due to the coupling, the screws attaching thecoupling to the spiral pipes, and any imperfections in the fit between the coupling and the two lengths of spiral pipe.

As an alternative to a coupling inserted between two pipes, it is possible to fit two lengths of pipe together using a flange integrally formed on the end of each pipe. However, it has proven especially difficult to manufacture spiral pipehaving an integrated flange at the end of the spiral pipe. A major challenge in forming a flange at the end of a spiral pipe is the four-ply seam which extends helically along the length of the pipe. It is difficult to bend the four-ply seam area ofthe spiral pipe to form the flange without damaging the spiral pipe. Often, the spiral pipe will break or crimp when attempting to form a flange at the location of the four-ply spiral seam.

Thus, there is a need in the art for a spiral pipe having an integrated flange located at the end of the length of pipe. Similarly, there is a need in the art for a method of manufacturing a spiral pipe having an integrated flange.

The present invention is a spiral pipe formed with an integrated flange, as well as a machine for forming an integrated flange on the spiral pipe. The machine comprises a mandrel and four jaws for holding the spiral pipe against the mandrel. The machine further comprises a rotor plate which is configured to be rotated. Mounted on the rotor plate are three flange turning rollers. The flange turning rollers are connected to the rotor plate via slides. The slides are configured to allow theflange turning rollers to move from a first position to a second position as the rotor plate is rotating.

The flange turning rollers are positioned so that when the spiral pipe is placed on the mandrel, the flange turning rollers are located on the inner diameter of the spiral pipe. As the machine operates, and the flange turning rollers are movedvia the slides from their first position to their second position, the flange turning rollers move radially from the inner diameter of the spiral pipe to an outer diameter. As the flange turning rollers move from the inner diameter of the spiral pipe toan outer diameter, the spiral pipe is deformed against the jaws by the flange turning rollers. In this way, an integrated flange is formed on the spiral pipe.

Flanged valve connectors

A combination valve and flanged connector for connecting a metallic or non-metallic pipe directly to the valve body is disclosed. The flanged valve connector includes a radial flange secured on a longitudinal end of the valve body. Secured to the radial flange is a tubular member for receiving the end section of a pipe to be connected with the valve body.

The tubular member has a generally frusto conical end sized to snugly receive a sealing gasket in sealed relationship between the tubular member and the valve body. The tubular member also has a length sufficient to be engaged by a retainer for holding the sealed gasket in place and to also support a follower ring engaging the gasket retainer, the follower ring being provided with a deep, longitudinally extending strengthening flange.

In combination with a valve including a valve body having a longitudinal passageway therethrough, a closure element for said valve body intermediate its ends, operator means acting onsaid closure element to open and close the longitudinal passageway, a flanged valve connector comprising:radial flange means on said valve body on at least one of the longitudinal ends thereof for securing a bolt on compression coupling assembly to said valve body;an enlarged tubular member secured to said radial flange means and extending outwardly from said radial flange means and coaxial with said longitudinal passageway for receiving the end of pipe to be connected with said valve body;said tubular member having a generally frusto conical end opening outwardly and sized to snugly receive a sealing gasket in sealed relationship between said tubular member and a pipe to be connected with said valve body; and said tubular member having an axial length sufficient to be engaged by a gasket retainer having a cylindrical section sized to surround said sealing gasket and the end periphery of said tubular member and a radial section for snugly engaging saidsealing gasket arranged in union with said frusto conical end opening and to receive a follower ring having a deep longitudinal flange extending over the periperal length of said tubular member and engaging said gasket retainer, the follower ringfunctioning to secure the gasket retainer and gasket to said tubular member.

In the pipeline industry there has been a significant renewal of pipe particularly in gas transmission and distribution pipeline systems. In distribution systems cast iron and steel pipe is being replaced by plastic pipe. This replacement posesproblems both in the tie-in connection of the plastic pipe to the metallic pipe as well as in the installation of valves in the renewed pipeline. Where plastic pipe is connected to metallic pipe the connection may be with a mechanical bolt type couplingor with a special steel-to-plastic pipe transition fitting which is welded directly to both the steel and plastic piping.

If a steel valve was necessary at the tie-in connection or elsewhere in a plastic pipeline, it was necessary prior to this invention, to use a stub end valve and to first extend the stub end by welding a short length of steel pipe, or what isknown as a "pup", to each end. This was done in order for the valve ends to accept the installation of mechanical bolt-on type couplings. The valve was then installed into the pipeline by connecting one extended stub end to the metallic pipe with ametallic bolt-on type coupling and connecting the opposite extended stub end to the plastic pipeline with a mechanical bolt-on type coupling.

An alternative valve installation used when steel pipe and plastic pipe were involved, is to use a stub endvalve and to weld one stub end directly to the steel pipeline and to weld the special steel-to-plastic transition fitting to the opposite valve stub end and then to weld the fitting to the plastic pipeline. So far as is known, there has not beenprovided a valve structure which would solve this problem of connecting pipelines of dissimilar or incompatible material and also act to provide valving for the line.

My invention overcomes the aforementioned problems by providing a valve and connector structure which may be attached to the free end of a plastic pipeline or a metallic pipleine to both seal and hold the plastic or metallic pipe to the valvebody, and also to allow the other side of the valve to be welded to a metallic pipe line in the usual fashion.

It should now be clearly understood how the flange valve connector of this invention provides the advantage of a simple and inexpensive manner of connecting pipelines to the valve body forming part of my invention. My flange valve connectoreliminates the need of welding additional elements to the valve body and reduces the number of parts for connecting pipe to the valve body. Also, it should be readily apparent to those skilled in this art that the socket construction of my connector inits simplicity may be modified in structure to accommodate other particular type connector features without deviating from the scope of the invention.

Mounting Flange Allowing Simplified Rotor Removal and Replacement

A hub rotor assembly includes a hub, a rotor supported by the hub and a plurality of fasteners that connect the rotor to the hub. The hub includes a wheel mounting flange and rotor mounting flange to which a flange of the rotor is attached.

The rotor mounting flange has a larger diameter than the wheel mounting flange, or other hub elements outboard of the rotor mounting flange, so that the rotor can be easily removed from the hub. Features of the invention also include floatation elements associated with a fastener to fasten the rotor to the hub while allowing the rotor to move or float relative to the hub. A spring clip may be used with the floatation elements to prevent the rotor from rattling. The assembly is particularly suited for commercial highway vehicles and high performance vehicles.

A plurality of floatation elements connecting the rotor to the hub, the plurality of floatation elements being fixed with respect to the other of the hub and the rotor, each floatation element including a portion being disposed at least partially within one of the slots, the portion of each floatation element being disposed within one of the slots including a non-circular cross section, each floatation element being sized in relation to the slot within which it is disposed to allow at least one of radial, axial, or rotational relative movement between the floatation element and the slot, the relative movement between each floatation element and the slot within which it is disposed permitting relative movement between the rotor and the hub with respect to the central axis where in each of the plurality of floatation elements comprises a bobbin and a bolt used in association with each bobbin, the bolt being connected to the bobbin to connect the rotor to the hub.

The hub rotor assembly of claim 1, wherein the rotor has a mounting flange with an inner diameter, and the hub has a mounting flange, wherein the rotor mounting flange and the hub mounting flange overlap so that the floatation elements extend through the mounting flanges to connect the rotor to the hub.

Hat rotor hubs have a hat rotor that is detachable from a hub. These hat rotors are typically one piece metal castings having a rotor portion integrally cast with a hat portion. The hat portion of the hat rotor is a large flange that fits over a mounting surface of the hub. The hat portion includes wheel stud apertures through which wheel studs can pass. The hat rotor is loosely mounted on the hub until a wheel is subsequently mounted on the hub. As wheel lug nuts are tightened to the wheel studs, the hat rotor is sandwiched between the wheel and the hub, thus securing the hat rotor to the hub.

Another aspect of embodiments of the invention is to provide a hub and rotor where the rotor mounts to the hub independent of the wheel. Specifically, an aspect of embodiments of the invention is to provide a hub having a rotor mounting flange and a rotor which is mounted to a rotor mounting flange. The independent mounting of the rotor and a wheel to the hub rotor assembly of the present invention ensures that the rotor run-out will be unlikely to result from unevenly tightened lug nuts or an improperly manufactured wheel.

Also as a result of the independent mounting of the rotor and the wheel, wheel removal does not affect the mounting of the rotor to the hub. Consequently, upon removal of the wheel from the hub there is no potential for debris or other extraneous matter to become lodged between the rotor and the hub, causing rotor run-out.

Another aspect of embodiments of the invention is to provide a rotor design having simplified manufacturing compared to hat rotor hubs and integral rotor hubs. Specifically, an aspect of embodiments of the invention is to provide a hub having a rotor mounting flange and a rotor, which is mounted to the rotor mounting flange. This hub and rotor configuration provides a rotor that is as easily removable from the hub as a hat rotor, but does not have the deficiencies of a hat rotor. And, as there is no hat portion on the rotor, different rotors do not vary considerably in shape from one another. Consequently, unlike hat rotors and integral rotor hubs, a large number of rotors may be machined from a single rough casting. Tooling and manufacturing costs are greatly decreased as a result of this design. Additionally, as the rotor and the hub are manufactured separately, the hub and rotor can have different material specifications for optimal cost and performance.

Catalytic converter front flange and method of making same

A replacement flange for the end of a catalytic converter is provided by a pair of generally L-shaped coupling elements which have their base portions opposed and seated in an elongated channel element which permits one coupling element to slide therein relative to the other.

The opposed edges of the flange coupling elements are generally arcuate to fit about the end pipe of the converter and have recesses to seat the flanges on the sides of the converter body. Assembly is effected by mounting one coupling element to the automobile support structure about the converter end and then sliding the other coupling element sideways into engagement therewith and mounting it to the support structure.

The present invention relates to replacement flanges for catalytic converters, and, more particularly, to such flanges which can be readily assembled by the mechanic about the catalytic converter and to the flange for the exhaust system without extensive disassembly and while all the parts are relatively hot.

As is well known, the catalytic converters on most vehicles are supported by original equipment flanges which are custom designed for a given vehicle, and which are frequently of one piece construction. Unfortunately, corrosion and heat cycling may cause failure of the flanges while the converter is still functional, and cause failure of the connection to the exhaust system. Unless promptly replaced, the converter itself may be damaged and repair of the sealed converters is impracticable.

Replacing the flanges with original equipment flanges may require some disassembly of the exhaust system in order to provide sufficient space for maneuvering the replacement flange into position, and for securing it about the catalytic converter.

It is generally advantageous for garages and the like to stock a limited number of replacement parts which can be utilized on more than one vehicle. Moreover, to reduce the cost of repair, it is desirable that the mechanic be able to install replacement flanges without any major disassembly of other parts, and, in the instance of exhaust system components, without having to wait for a substantial period of time for the parts to cool sufficiently so that the mechanic will not be burned when working thereabout.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel replacement flange for the end of catalytic converters which can be assembled quickly and easily about the converter.

It is also an object to provide such a flange which may be fabricated relatively economically from sheet metal stock.

Another object is to provide such a flange which may be installed with limited potential for contact of the mechanic's hands with hot parts of the exhaust system.

Still another object is to provide a method for quickly and easily installing such replacement flanges on vehicles.

It has now been found that the foregoing and related objects and advantages may be readily attained in a novel replacement flange for the end of a catalytic converter. This replacement flange has a pair of opposed coupling elements each having a generally vertically extending leg portion and a generally horizontally extending base portion, and the opposing edges of the coupling elements have a portion of arcuate configuration to seat a portion of the periphery of the outlet pipe of an associated catalytic converter and aligned recesses to seat the side flanges of the catalytic converter. The elements being spaced apart at the upper end of their leg portions, and each of the coupling elements has a plurality of bolt receiving apertures therein for mounting upon the support structure of the associated vehicle and for coupling to the flange of the associated exhaust system of the vehicle. A channel element seats and joins the opposed ends of the base portions of the coupling elements, and it permits horizontal sliding motion therein of one of the coupling elements relative to the other.

Preferably, the channel element is of elongated, generally U-shaped cross section defined by a pair of vertical legs and a base, and one of the legs has a groove in its inside surface extending along the length thereof. The base portion of at least one of the coupling elements has a boss thereon which slidably seats in this groove. Desirably each of the coupling elements has a boss seated in the groove, and the other one of the coupling elements and the channel element are fixedly engaged by staking or the like.

In the preferred embodiment, each of the coupling elements is of generally plate-like configuration with the boss being formed by deformation of the material from which the coupling element is formed, and the apertures for coupling to the exhaust system have internally threaded nuts thereabout to seat threadably the shanks of fasteners.

In the method of mounting the replacement flange on the end of a catalytic converter, a channel element is mounted on the base portion of one coupling element and it projects beyond the end of the base portion. The mounting the upper end of the leg portion of the coupling element is mounted upon the support structure of the vehicle with its arcuate edge extending about a portion of the outlet pipe of the catalytic converter. The other one of the coupling elements is moved horizontally to slidably seat its base portion in the channel and to seat its arcuate edge about another portion of the outlet pipe of the catalytic converter.

As a result, the channel element seats and joins the opposed ends of the base portions of the coupling elements and provides horizontal sliding motion therein of the other coupling element prior to finally securing both coupling elements to the automobile support structure. The upper end of the leg portion of the other coupling element is then mounted on the support structure of the vehicle, and the flange of the exhaust system for the vehicle is coupled to others of the apertures of the coupling elements .

Description of The Preferred Embodiment

In forming the profile of the flange portions, the walls 38 and 40 of upstanding leg 36 are spaced from each other by the top wall 42 to form a longitudinally extending cavity or corner piece receiving opening 52 for receiving the legs of angularcorner pieces which will be described later.

The outer vertical wall 38 has an inturned rebent portion generally designated by the numeral 54 that extends inwardly into the opening 52 closely adjacent the inner surface of vertical wall 40. Asillustrated in greater detail in FIG. 8, the inturned portion 54 has a tear drop configuration in side elevation with an upper leg 56 and a lower leg 58. The legs 56 and 58 extend angularly from the vertical wall 38 and form an acute angle therewith. The lower leg 58 of inturned portion 54 is spaced upwardly from and extends toward the inner surface 60 of the lower horizontal wall 46 to form therebetween a pocket generally designated by the numeral 62 as seen in FIG. 3.

Suitable gasket material 64, as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, is positioned in the pocket 62 and is maintained therein by the angular relation of lower leg 58 of inturned portion 54 and the bottom horizontal wall 46 and the portion of the innersurface 39 of front wall 38 below the inturned portion 54. The gasket material 64 has a viscosity that permits the material to flow into position by application from a nozzle into the pocket 62. An example material suitable for use as the gasketmaterial 64 is a polymeric material, such as Servaseal 5511 sold by Service Adhesives, Inc. of Maywood, Ill.

Preferably the gasket material 64 remains flowable for a substantial period of time at least during the assembly of the duct joint. With this arrangement the end portion of the duct when inserted into the duct receiving leg portion 44 partiallydisplaces the gasket material within the pocket 62. The gasket material 64 sealingly connects the duct end portion to the respective flanges. Thus, an air-tight seal is formed around the adjacent metal surfaces as will be explained hereinafter ingreater detail.

The vertical rear wall 40 of the upstanding channel shaped leg portion 36 as seen in FIGS. 3 and 8 extends generally parallel to the vertical front wall 38 to a location where the inner surface of the rear wall 40 is slightly below the lower leg58 of inturned portion 54. The rear wall 40 at that location is bent to form a juncture with the top wall 48 of the duct receiving leg portion 44. The top wall 48 is inclined to and extends into abutting relation with the upper surface of the lowerwall 46 which, in turn, is bent upwardly slightly at its end portion to receive the duct end wall and frictionally engage the duct end wall between adjacent surfaces of walls 46 and 48. The above described configuration permits duct walls of differentthicknesses to be utilized and maintained in frictional engagement between the adjacent surfaces of the respective walls 46 and 48.

The vertical dimension of the pocket 62 is not critical because of the gasket material 64 positioned therein. The vertical dimension of pocket 62 may be such that it is arranged to receive duct end walls of different thicknesses and the flangeportions 28-34 may thus be utilized for joint assemblies on ducts of different wall thicknesses. It is preferred, as illustrated in FIG. 3, that the duct walls end portions be inserted into the pockets 62 and through the gasket material 64 until theedges of the duct wall end portion abut the inner surfaces 39 of the vertical walls 38. It should be understood that a seal is obtained when the edge of the duct wall end portions penetrates the gasket material 64. The gasket material 64 is operable tobe displaced and flow out of the pocket 62 at the end of the respective flanges to thereby form a seal around the end of the duct at the intersection of walls 38 and 46 adjacent corner piece 66, as illustrated in FIG. 4.

Angular corner pieces 66, as illustrated in FIGS. 1-4 and in greater detail in FIGS. 5-7 and 10 and 11, have a generally planar configuration. Each corner piece 66 has a corner section or body portion 70 and legs 72 and 74 extending angularlytherefrom in substantially the same plane as the corner section 70. The legs 72 and 74 are arranged to extend into the openings 52 of flange portions 28 and 34 while the corner section 70 remains outside of the flange portion openings 52, as illustratedin FIGS. 1-4. The corner piece 66 has a front planar surface 73 and a rear planar surface 75. The front planar surface 73 within the flange portion openings 52 is arranged to abut the inner surface 39 of the frame front wall 38. Also, as illustratedin FIGS. 5 and 6, for example, corner piece corner section 70 has a common front planar surface portion and a common rear planar surface portion with leg 72 and corner piece corner section 70 has a common front planar surface portion and a common rearplanar surface portion with leg 74. The corner piece 66 has an elongated embossed portion 76, as illustrated in FIGS. 5, 6, 10 and 11 which extends from a location adjacent the end portion 78 of the leg 72 to the corner section 70 and continues throughthe corner section 70 along the other leg to a location adjacent the end portion 80 of leg 74. The embossed portion 76 has a front concave surface 77 and a rear convex surface 79. The convex surface 79 within the flange portion openings abuts the frontsurface of the flange rear wall 40. With this arrangement, the legs 72 and 74 have a front planar surface 73 that abuts the rear surface 39 of flange front wall 38 and a convex surface 79 that abuts the inner surface of rear wall 40

The legs 72 and 74 have apertures 82 therein to permit dimpling of the frame portions after assembly of the frame member 26. The corner section 70 has a bolt aperture 84 arranged to receive a connecting bolt. The corner piece 66 has shoulders86 and 88 adjacent the upper and lower edges 90 and 92 of leg 72 and shoulders 94 and 96 adjacent the upper and lower edges 98 and 100 of leg 74, defining the boundary of the corner piece corner section 70 relative to legs 72 and 74. The shoulders 86,88, 94 and 96 serve as a stop means and operable as stops arranged to abut ends 102 and 104 of flange portions 28 and 34, as illustrated in FIG. 3 to limit the length the legs 72 and 74 extend into the flange portions 28 and 34. The corner piece cornersection 70 has a lower corner portion generally designated by the numeral 83 having an L-shaped flange or offset portion 85, as illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 10. The flange portion 85 has an arcuate or offset portion 89 which is displaced or curvedrearwardly in a direction away from the corner piece front planar surface 73 toward the rear planar surface 75. The flange arcuate portion 89, as illustrated in FIGS. 5-7, has a front surface 91, a rear surface 93, and an L-shaped end or edge portion 95which is displaced rearwardly from the front planar surface 73. The edge portion 95 extends from the shoulder 88 to the shoulder 96. The flange 85 is thus bounded by the shoulders 88 and 96 and the L-shaped edge portion 95.

With the above described arrangement of the corner piece 66, the leg portions 72 and 74 are positioned in the openings 52 of flange portions 28 and 34. The top walls 42 of the upstanding channel shaped leg portions 36 serve as a stop means andabut shoulders 86 and 94 to prevent the corner section 70 of the corner piece 66 from extending into the longitudinal openings 52. With the corner piece 66 in this position as illustrated in FIG. 8, the front surface 91 and L-shaped edge 95 of therearwardly or displaced curved flange or offset portion 85 are displaced rearwardly from the inner surface 39 of the front wall 38 and spaced above the upper surface of horizontal bottom wall 46 so as to provide clearance for the corner edge portions 22and 24 of the duct end portion to extend beyond the edge portion 95 and the surface 91 of flange portion 85 permitting the duct end portion to be positioned closely adjacent to or in abutting relation with the inner surface 39 of the flange front wall38. With this arrangement an air-tight seal is provided around the corner edge portions 22 and 24 adjacent the flanges 28 and 34 by the penetration of the duct edge portions 22 and 24 into a gasket 106, positioned on the corner piece corner section 70,as illustrated in FIG. 4 and as will be explained later in greater detail.

As illustrated in FIG. 11, the leg 72 of corner piece edges 90 and 92. When the leg 72 is positioned in the opening 52 of flange portion 28, as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 8, the upper edge 90 of leg 72 abuts the under surface of the horizontalwall 42 and the lower edge 92 abuts upper leg 56 of the inturned portion 54. The rear convex surface 79 of the embossment 76 abuts the inner surface of the rear wall 40 while the planar front surface 73 of the leg abuts the inner surface 39 of the frontwall 38. With this arrangement, the leg 72 of the corner piece 66 abuts the surfaces of both the front wall 38 and rear wall 40 in the cavity 52 and the upper edge 90 abuts the horizontal wall 42 while the lower edge 92 abuts the surface of the inturnedportion upper leg 56. This provides a rigid, sturdy connection between the corner piece leg portion and the flange portion.

As above described, the shoulders 88 and 96 are arranged to abut the ends 102 and 104 of the flange portions 28 and 34 so that the lower corner portion 83 of the corner piece corner section 70 does not extend into the longitudinal openings 52 ofthe respective flange portions. Therefore, the rearwardly curved or displaced flange portion 85 of the corner portion 83 is in juxtaposition with the flange portion ends 102 and 104. Further, as illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 8 the front surface 91 of thearcuate flange portion 85 along the edge 95 is spaced rearwardly from the inner surface 39 of the flange portion front wall 38.

The longitudinal edge 95 also is spaced above the horizontal inner surface 60 of the flange bottom wall 46. With thisarrangement, clearance is provided between the L-shaped edge 95 of the corner piece flange portion 85 and the bottom wall upper surface 60 to permit the duct end portions to pass between the duct receiving walls 46 and 48 into abutting relation with theinner surface 39 of the flange front wall 38 and the corner edge portions 22 and 24 to pass beyond the longitudinal edge 95 and flange surface 91. With this arrangement, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the end portions of the duct 10 extend into the flangeportions of the frame member 26 with the exception of the L-shaped corner portions of the duct. The exposed portions of the duct corner edge portions 22 and 24 are not embedded in the mastic seal and it is essential that a seal be provided along theseexposed corner edge portions 22 and 24 of the duct. Thus, the plane corner edges 22 and 24 of the duct end portions extend beyond the edge portion 95 of the corner piece lower corner portion flange 85 into the surface of the gasket 106.

The frame members 26 are formed by first cutting preselected lengths of the strips having preformed flange portion profiles. For example, frame portions 28, 30, 32 and 34 are cut from a strip of the flange shaped profile. Four corner pieces 66have the leg portions 72 and 74 inserted in the openings 52 in the respective upstandng channel shaped leg portion 36 so that they extend into the openings 52 their entire length with the shoulders 86, 88, 94 and 96 abutting the edges of the respectiveflange portions. With the corner pieces 66 secured in the openings, the generally rectangular frame 26 is then secured to the end of the duct 10 by passing the duct walls 12-18 between the legs 46 and 48 of the duct receiving leg portion 44. The endportions of the respective duct walls 12-18 are urged into the flange portions 28-34 until the duct end wall portions penetrate the gasket material 64 and abut the inner surfaces 39 of the frame portion vertically extending walls 38.

It will be apparent that due to variations in the thickness of the duct end wall portions, the duct end portions may be spaced slightly from the front wall 38 but closely adjacent thereto to the extent that the edge of the duct displaces thegasket material 64 in the pocket 62. Consequently, the flowing type gasket material extrudes outwardly around the upper and lower surfaces of the duct wall portions to seal the end portion of the duct wall in the respective pocket 62 of the flangeportion.

Further, a portion of the gasket material 64 extrudes longitudinally, as illustrated in FIG. 4, beyond the ends of the flange portions adjacent the corner piece corner portion 83. The gasket material 64 flows between a respective corner pieceshoulder portion, for example shoulder 88, and the adjacent flange end portions and onto the flange portion 85. Further when the gasket material 64 is extruded from the open end of the flange it flows into the space between the upper surface of the endof the duct wall and the edge 95 of the corner piece flange portion 85. This arrangement provides an effective air-tight seal between the flange and the duct and the corner piece and the duct with the flange. For purposes of illustration only thegasket material 64 has been omitted from flange portion 34 shown in FIG. 4.

As illustrated in FIG. 9, pairs of ducts are positioned with the flange members in abutting relation with each other. A suitable relatively thin gasket member 106 such as neoprene, polyethylene or the like, is positioned between the upstandingchannel shaped leg portion front walls 38 on the outer surface 37 thereof and between the surfaces of the corner pieces 66. Preferably, the gasket member 106 is formed or shaped to meet the dimensions of the duct end wall and the respective framemembers 26. Bolts 25 are inserted through the respective apertures 84, and nuts 27 are threadedly secured to the bolts 25 to thus secure the corner pieces 66 to each other and, in turn, secure the respective frame members 26 to each other with the ducts10 secured thereto.

With this arrangement, the frame members 26 provide a joint assembly for securing the duct members 10 to each other and to form an air-tight seal therebetween. The configuration of the flange portions permits duct members having walls ofdifferent thicknesses to be utilized with the frame portions having the same dimension. The edges of the duct walls extend into the flowing type gasket material 64 in the longitudinal openings 52 to provide an air-tight seal between the undersurface ofthe duct wall and the uppersurface of the duct receiving leg portion and further around the duct end wall between the upper-surface of the duct wall and the innersurface 39 of front wall 38. In addition the flowing type gasket material 64 is effectiveto form an air-tight seal where the surfaces of duct walls or the walls of the frame portions are irregular due to the coating applied to the surface during the galvanizing operation.

Further it will be apparent from the present invention that by rearwardly curving or displacing the corner piece flange portions 85 that form the corner piece corner portion 83, the duct corner edge portions 22 and 24 are operable to extend intoor penetrate the gasket member 106 which is positioned between the upstanding channel shaped leg portions 36 in overlying relation with the corner piece lower corner portions 83. In this manner air from within the duct is prevented from flowing aroundthe duct end wall and between the upper surface of the duct and the surface of the corner piece flange edge 95.

According to the provisions of the patent statutes, I have explained the principle, preferred construction, and mode of operation of flange invention and have illustrated and described what I now consider to represent its best embodiments. However,it should be understood that, within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise then as specifically illustrated and described.

Brief Description of The Drawings and Flange

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary, exploded perspective view of a flange type duct joint assembly for connecting the end portions of a pair of ducts, illustrating a plurality of angular corner pieces for connecting adjacent flange portions to form a framefor receiving the end portions of the ducts.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of an angular corner piece and adjacent flange portions.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a corner of the end of a duct with the flange portions connected thereto and the corner piece connecting the adjacent flange portions.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view of a corner of the end portion of a duct sealingly connected to a pair of adjacent flanges connected by a corner piece, illustrating the edge of the duct extending beyond a flange portion of the cornerpiece. A deformable gasket material in the flanges is shown extruded from the end of one flange but is omitted from the end of the other flange for purposes of illustration only to more clearly show the relationship between the end of the flange, theflange of the corner piece, and the end of the duct.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an angular corner piece, illustrating a rearwardly displaced or curved flange portion extending from the inner corner of the corner piece.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the opposite face of the angular corner piece shown in FIG. 5, illustrating the configuration of the rearwardly displaced or curved flange portion of the corner piece.

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary perspective view of a corner piece, illustrating the rearwardly displaced or curved flange portion.

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary sectional view of the end portion of the duct abutting the front wall of an upstanding channel shaped leg portion of the flange and penetrating the gasket member positioned on the flange and the corner piece, illustratingthe flange portion of the corner piece curved or displaced rearwardly from the front wall of the channel shaped leg portion.

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary sectional view of the end portions of a pair of ducts connected by the duct joint assembly of the present invention, illustrating the flanges secured to the ducts with the flanges abutting a gasket therebetween.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view of a corner piece taken along the lines X--X of FIG. 7, illustrating the configuration of a leg of the corner piece and the curved or displaced flange portion of the corner piece.

FIG. 11 is a sectional view of a corner piece taken along lines XI--XI of FIG. 7, illustrating the configuration of a corner piece.

Referring to the drawings and particularly to flange. 1-4, there is illustrated the end potion of a pair of duct sections generally designated by the numeral 10 in which each duct 10 has a generally rectangular configuration with an upper duct wall12, a lower duct wall 14, and a pair of vertical duct sidewalls 16 and 18. The ducts 10 are formed in the rectangular configuration illustrated in flange. 1 with a longitudinally extending sealed corner joint 20 between the lower duct wall 14 and thesidewall 16.

As illustrated in flange. 3, the duct upper wall 12 and the duct sidewall 18 terminates in end portions having corner portions with corner edge portions 22 and 24. It should be understood, although not shown, that the other duct walls 14 and 16terminate in similar end portions so that the end portions of the duct 10 extend along a plane transverse to the longitudinal axis of the duct 10.

Each of the ducts 10 preferably is fabricated from galvanized sheet material and may have various thicknesses. For example, commercial grade 20 gauge duct has a thickness of between 0.906 and 1.106 millimeters. The galvanized surface of theduct walls also provides a relatively irregular surface so that the thickness of the sheet metal forming the duct 10 is not uniform along the duct end portions.

The end portions of the pair of ducts 10 are secured to each other by a pair of frame members generally designated by the numeral 26. The frame members 26 are similar in construction and are secured to the ends of adjacent duct sections and areconnected to each other by bolts 25 and nuts 27, shown in FIG. 1 as will be described later in greater detail. Each frame 26 is formed by a plurality of duct connecting flanges that extend outwardly from the duct wall end portion and include an upperflange portion 28, a lower flange portion 30 and a pair of side flange portions 32 and 34. The configuration of the flange portions 28-34 are identical and are preferably cut to a preselected length from an elongated sheet metal strip that has been rollformed into the flange configuration illustrated in the drawings. Throughout the specification, the flange portions 28 and 34 and the connections therebetween will be described in detail; however, it should be understood that the other flange portionsare similarly connected to the duct end portions and to each other.

The flange portion 28 is illustrated in detail in FIGS. 2, 3, 4, 8 and 9. The flange 28 has an upstanding channel shaped corner piece receiving leg portion or upstanding corner piece receiving portion generally designated by the numeral 36 witha front wall 38 connected to a rear wall 40 by a generally horizontal top wall 42. A shoulder 43 is formed between the walls 40 and 42 and is adapted to receive a longitudinal clip 41 illustrated in FIG. 9. Extending laterally at substantially a rightangle from the upstanding channel shaped leg portion 36 is a duct receiving leg portion or duct receiving portion generally designated by the numeral 44 which has a bottom wall 46 and a top wall 48. The top wall 48 has an upturned lip portion 50 topermit the end wall of the duct to slide between the respective walls 46 and 48 so that the duct end wall is frictionally engaged between adjacent surfaces of the flange walls 46 and 48.

Summary of The Flange Portions Invention

In accordance with the present invention there is provided a flange type duct joint assembly to connect the end portions of generally rectangular ducts or duct sections that includes a plurality of flange portions or duct connecting flanges.

Aplurality of angular corner pieces are provided for connecting adjacent flange portions to form a generally rectangular frame. The flange portions each have an upstanding channel shaped leg portion or upstanding corner piece receiving portion and a ductreceiving leg portion or duct receivng portion. The upstanding channel shaped leg portion includes a front wall and a rear wall forming a corner piece receiving opening therebetween. The duct receiving leg portion includes a top wall and a bottom wallarranged to receive an end portion of a duct therebetween.

The upstanding channel shaped leg portion front wall intersects the duct receiving leg bottom wall. The corner pieces each have a body portion or corner section and a pair of legs extendingangularly therefrom. The corner piece corner section and the legs have a common front planar surface portion and a common rear planar surface portion. The pair of legs are arranged to extend into the corner piece receiving openings of the flangeportion upstanding channel shaped leg portions.

The corner piece body portion includes a corner portion having a flange portion or offset corner portion extending from the body portion. The corner section flange portion is in juxtaposition with theupstanding channel shaped leg portion where the front wall of the upstanding channel shaped leg portion intersects the bottom wall of the duct receiving leg portion. The corner section flange portion has a front surface and a rear surface.

The flange portion front surface is displaced from the inner surface of the front wall of the upstanding channel shaped leg portion. The corner piece offset corner portion is positioned externally of the corner piece receiving openings in the adjacent ductconnecting flange upstanding corner piece receiving portions. The corner piece corner section offset corner portion is displaced rearwardly relative to the corner piece front planar surface and above the duct connecting flange duct receiving portionbottom wall.

The duct receiving leg portion is adapted to receive the duct end portion so that the corner edge portions of the duct end portions extends or projects beyond the corner piece offset corner portion into abutting relation with an externalgasket means positioned on the corner piece corner section to provide a seal for the duct corner edge portion between adjacent duct connecting flange portions. The external gasket means is positioned in overlying relation with the duct connecting flangefront wall and a portion of the corner piece corner section.

A deformable gasket, such as a flowing type gasket material, is positioned inside the flange portions and is operable to sealingly connect the duct end portion within the flange portions. The deformable gasket abuts the channel shaped legportion front wall and the duct receiving leg portion bottom wall. The deformable gasket means is partially displaced inside the channel shaped leg portion and duct receiving leg portion when the duct end portion is inserted into the duct receiving legportion. With this arrangement, the gasket material is operable to flow into sealing relation around the edge of the duct end portion in the duct receiving leg portion.

Preferably, the deformable gasket is partially displaced inside the channel shaped leg portion and the duct receiving leg portion when the duct end portion is inserted into the duct receiving leg portion to permit the edge of the duct end portionto move into abutting relation with the front wall of the channel shaped leg portion. The deformable gasket material has a viscosity that permits the material when displaced by movement of the duct end portion into the duct receiving leg portion toextrude out of the respective flange portions and onto the surface of the edge of the duct adjacent to the corner piece and onto the surface of the corner piece to provide an air-tight seal between the end of the duct adjacent the corner piece and thecorner piece at the ends of the flange portions.

Further, in accordance with the present invention an external gasket is positioned in overlying relation with the outer surface of the upstanding channel shaped leg portion front wall and the surface of the body of the corner section of thecorner piece. The external gasket is penetrated by the corner edge portions of the duct end portion. The duct corner edge portions extend beyond the front surface of the corner piece flange portion to provide a seal between the outer surface of theduct edge and the front surface of the corner piece flange portion to prevent the flow of air therebetween.

Further, in accordance with the present invention the front wall of the upstanding channel shaped member has an inner surface arranged to receive in abutting relation the edge of the duct end portion. The outer surface of the corner piece flangeportion is preferably curved or displaced rearwardly away from the front wall inner surface. With this arrangement the duct end portion is permitted to extend beyond the corner piece flange portion so that the duct edge can penetrate an external gasketpositioned on the surface of the flange portions and corner pieces. This arrangement provides an effective corner seal for the duct joint assembly.

Another feature of the present invention is to provide a corner piece for connecting end portions of duct connecting flanges. The corner piece includes a corner section with a rearwardly displaced flange portion. The rearwardly displaced flangeportion is arranged to permit the duct corner end portions to project into abutting relation with an external gasket and seal the corner edge portions of the duct.

Another feature of the present invention includes a flange type duct joint assembly for connecting the end portions of generally rectangular ducts or duct sections which assembly includes a plurality of flange portions or duct connecting flanges. A plurality of angular corner pieces are provided for connecting adjacent flange portions to form a generally rectangular frame.

The flange portions each have an upstanding channel shaped leg portion or upstanding corner piece receiving portion and aduct receiving portion or a duct receiving leg portion. The upstanding channel shaped leg portion includes a front wall and a rear wall forming a corner piece receiving opening therebetween. The duct receiving leg portion includes a top wall and abottom wall arranged to receive an end portion of a duct therebetween. The upstanding channel shaped leg portion front wall intersects the duct receiving leg bottom wall.

The corner pieces each have a body portion or corner section and a pair of legsextending angularly therefrom. The corner piece corner section and the legs have a common front planar surface portion and a common rear planar surface portion. The pair of legs are arranged to extend into the corner piece receiving openings of theflange portion upstanding channel shaped leg portions. The corner piece body portion has a corner portion with a flange portion. The flange portion has an edge or edge portion. The flange portion edge is displaced from the upstanding channel shapedleg portion to permit the edge of the duct end portion to be positioned closely adjacent to the intersection of the upstanding channel shaped leg portion front wall and the duct receiving leg bottom wall.

The corner piece flange portion is positionedexternally of the corner piece receiving opening in the adjacent duct connecting flange upstanding corner piece receiving portion. The corner piece flange edge portion is displaced rearwardly relative to the corner piece front planar surface and abovethe duct connecting flange duct receiving portion bottom wall so that the duct section corner edge portion, between adjacent duct connecting flange portions, projects beyond the flange edge portion into abutting relation with an external gasket meanspositioned on the corner piece corner section to provide a seal for the duct corner edge portion between adjacent duct connecting flange portions.

The external gasket means is positioned in overlying relation with the duct connecting flange front walland a portion of the corner piece corner section. This sealing device or external gasket means is provided for maintaining an air-tight seal between the outer surface of the duct open end portion adjacent the corner piece and the edge of the cornerpiece flange portion so that the corner pieces of the generally rectangular frame sealingly engage the duct end portion to prevent air from within the duct flowing between the upper surface of the duct and the flange portion edges of the corner pieces.

Accordingly, the principal object of the present invention is to provide a flange type duct joint assembly to connect the end portions of generally rectangular ducts and a plurality of flange portions that are connected to adjacent flangeportions by angular corner pieces that are arranged to receive an end portion of a duct and provide an air-tight seal between the corner edge portions of the duct end portion and the surface of the corner piece.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a seal arrangement between the end portion of a duct and angular corner pieces that connect a plurality of flange portions that form a frame for receiving the duct end portion to prevent flowof air from the duct between the duct end portion and the corner pieces of the frame.

A further object of this invention is to provide a corner piece that permits the duct corner edge portions to project into sealing relation with an external gasket.

An additional object of this invention is to provide a flange type duct joint assembly to connect end portions of generally rectangular duct sections that permits the duct section corner edge portions to project into sealing relation with anexternal gasket.

These and other objects of the present flange invention will be more completely disclosed and described in the following specification, the accompanying drawings, and the appended claims.

Background of The Flange Portions Invention

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a joint assembly for sealingly connecting the ends of a pair of sheet metal duct sections and more particularly to a joint assembly that includes a pair of frame members having flange portions secured to each other byangular corner pieces having rearwardly curved or displaced flange portions operable to facilitate an air-tight seal between the ends of the duct sections and the frame members.

2. Description of the Prior Art

U.S. Pat. No. 3,712,650 discloses a flange connection for connecting the ends of rectangular air conditioning ducts that includes flange portions each having a horizontal leg portion secured to the end portion of the duct and a vertical channelshaped leg for receiving the arm of an angular corner piece. A wall of the horizontal flange portion has a sloping intermediate portion that permits visual access to the bend areas between the adjacent walls of the duct and the ends of the duct walls.

The angular corner pieces have arm portions which each extend into an opening in the vertical channel shaped flange. The arm portions are so dimensioned vertically that the lower surface of each arm abuts the lower wall of the horizontal flange. With this arrangement the end of the duct wall abuts or rests against the surface of the corner piece arm extending into the channel shaped opening.

Another joint assembly for connecting the ends of a pair of ducts is disclosed in German application No. P 25 56 167 filed Dec. 13, 1975, and includes a plurality of flange portions secured to the ends of the ducts and angular corner piecespositioned in vertically extending channel shaped openings in the respective flange portions to form a generally rectangular frame secured to the ends of the ducts.

The flange portions each have a generally horizontal duct receiving leg and a verticalchannel shaped leg. The duct receiving leg portion has a longitudinal opening for receiving the duct end wall and one wall of the vertically extending channel shaped leg has an inturned or inwardly rebent portion that forms a longitudinally extendinglip spaced from the lower wall of the horizontal duct receiving leg.

The duct end portion is arranged to extend into the space between the longitudinally extending lip and the lower wall of the horizontal duct receiving leg. In position, the duct endwall abuts the inner surface of the outer vertical wall of the upstanding channel shaped leg. The arm of the corner piece is arranged to extend into the opening above the inturned lip so that the corner piece arm portion is spaced from the duct end wallby the inturned lip portion. The corner pieces have arms with a curved configuration so that pairs of facing arms in adjacent frames are intended to exert a joinder pressure on the respective frame when the corner pieces are bolted to each other.

In the above joint assemblies, the duct end walls abut either the arm of the corner pieces or abut the inner surface of the frame channel shaped leg portion outer vertical wall. Where the end of the duct wall rests against the arm of the cornersection, a space is provided between a substantial portion of the outer vertical wall of the channel shaped leg and the end of the duct wall. Where the end of the duct wall is positioned in the space between the inturned lip and the horizontal bottomwall, the duct end wall abuts a portion of the vertical wall of the frame section between the lip and the horizontal bottom wall. In either instance, irregularities on the surface of the duct or on the surface of the frame portions permit leakage of airfrom the duct through the flange connection. Positioning gasket material on the outer surface of the frame portions does not eliminate this air leakage since the leakage is occurring within the frame portions and around the duct end wall.

In German Offenlegungschrift No. 2,221,312 published Nov. 15, 1973, a fibrous gasket material is disclosed as positioned between the upper surface of the duct end portion and the under surface of the inturned rebent portion. French Pat. No.1,363,255 discloses two pieces of sheet metal joined by a fold arrangement with a sealant engaged to the edge of one of the metal sheets. U.S. Pat. No. 3,246,918 discloses a flange connection in which sealing is achieved by the penetration of an endof a duct into a mastic.

One problem encountered with the joint assemblies of the prior art is the inability to form an air-tight seal around the duct end wall positioned oppositely of the vertical wall of the frame section adjacent the horizontal bottom wall of theframe section.

One proposed solution to this problem, as disclosed in the German OLS, referred to above, is positioning a longitudinally extending gasket in the longitudinal space between the inturned rebent portion and the lower wall of the horizontal ductreceiving leg. If, when the duct end wall is inserted in the duct receiving leg portion, the gasket material is rolled up against the inner surface of the vertical wall of the channel shaped leg portion, an incomplete seal is formed around the end ofthe duct and the inner surface of the bottom wall of the duct receiving leg portion.

Consequently, the end of the duct is substantially spaced from the inner vertical wall of the channel shaped leg portion. An air space is thus formed between theoutside gasket on the outer surface of the frame portions and the duct edge because the outside gasket rests on the corner pieces and does not contact the duct edge. This permits air from the duct to flow around the end of the duct and between theoutside surface of the duct and the under surface of the corner piece. Thus, air leaks from the ducts at the corners of the frame connecting the ducts.

There is need for a joint assembly that provides an effective corner seal between the duct end wall and the corner pieces that connect the adjacent flanges that form the joint frame. While it has been suggested by the prior art joint assembliesto utilize a longitudinally extending gasket in the flange portions to form a seal around the duct end portion in the flange portions, the gasket inside the flange portions does not prevent leakage around the corner pieces adjacent the ends of the flange portions.

In addition, even with the use of an outside gasket on the corner pieces, unless the edge of the duct abuts the inner surface of the vertical wall of the flange portion, the outside gasket does not contact the end of the duct and air will leakaround the end of the duct and between the duct and the corner piece beneath the outside gasket.