Longitudinally split fabric air duct

摘要

An air duct assembly includes upper and lower pliable sheets that can be assembled in a sequence that makes the assembly easier to install and later easier to remove for periodic cleaning. To install the assembly, the upper sheet can be installed first by inserting the edges of the upper sheet within a pair of tracks and then fastening the upper sheet to a vertical supply air duct. An optional airflow modifier (e.g., filter, airflow turning vane, or noise attenuator) can be install where the supply air duct connects to the upper sheet. Once the upper sheet is suspended from the tracks and fastened to the main supply air duct, the lower sheet can be installed separately. Pliable end panels and pliable fasteners (e.g., zipper or VELCRO fastener) can make most of the air duct assembly machine washable. The upper and lower sheets can have different degrees of air permeability.

主权项

1. An air duct assembly for connection to a vertically extending inlet duct, the air duct assembly comprising:
a pliable tube attached to the vertically extending inlet duct; an upper sheet comprising a first pliable material, the upper sheet defining an inlet opening with a first separable joint extending along a perimeter of the inlet opening for connecting the upper sheet to the pliable tube; a lower sheet comprising a second pliable material; the first separable joint connecting the upper sheet to the pliable tube to place the vertically extending inlet duct in fluid communication with the inlet opening of the upper sheet; a second separable joint coupling the upper sheet adjacent the lower sheet, the second separable joint, comprising:
a first channel matingly engaged by a first portion of the upper sheet; anda second channel matingly engaged by a first portion of the lower sheet, wherein the first portion of the upper sheet is spaced-apart from the first portion of the lower sheet; and a third separable joint coupling the upper sheet adjacent the lower sheet, the second separable joint and the third separable joint being spaced-apart from each other with the upper sheet and the lower sheet extending therebetween, the second and third separable joints each connected with a support to position the upper sheet adjacent the supports generally laterally relative to the inlet duct, and the upper sheet, the lower sheet, and the separable joints defining an enclosed horizontally extending air passageway therebetween.