IL309109B2

IL309109B2 - Hvac plenum

Info

Publication number: IL309109B2
Application number: IL309109A
Authority: IL
Inventors: Grunberg Ronen; Peretz Michael
Original assignee: Modulech Tech S R L; Grunberg Ronen; Peretz Michael
Priority date: 2023-12-05
Filing date: 2023-12-05
Publication date: 2025-05-01
Also published as: WO2025120632A1; IL309109A; IL309109B1

Description

HVAC PLENUM TECHNOLOGICAL FIELD The present disclosure is concerned with a HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning) plenum, at times also referred to as an air distributor or an air diffuser.

BACKGROUND ART References considered to be relevant as background to the presently disclosed subject matter are listed below: - ITMI20060353A- US5,109,7- US6,478,6 Acknowledgement of the above references herein is not to be inferred as meaning that these are in any way relevant to the patentability of the presently disclosed subject matter.

BACKGROUND ITMI20060353A1 discloses a calming box for air conditioning systems, comprising: a box body, which can be coupled to at least one portion of a duct of conveying air and defining within it a calm chamber capable of generating certain kinematic conditions of the air flow to be sent to an external environment. US5,109,756 discloses an air diffuser assembly having multiple, various size inlet collars joined together with frustum shaped sections. Each of these sections contain a tear-away band around its perimeter which allows removal of unneeded collar sections. The assembly is mounted using a number of quick mounting clips. US6,478,673 discloses a diffuser for a heating and air conditioning system includes a body portion and an adapter. The body portion includes a flange with a cylindrical portion. Flexible arms having projections are located about the cylindrical portion. Clamp guides are positioned about the cylindrical portion as well. The adapter includes multiple, different size cylindrical sections. One of the sections includes openings for receiving the projections on the arms to secure the adapter to the body. A tear-away strip is provided to remove unneeded sections of the adapter. Two attachment mechanisms are provided for securing the diffuser to a ceiling. The diffuser further includes a removable vane unit. The vane unit includes multiple projections for engaging prongs on the base to secure the vane unit to the base. A ribs on the projections contact the prongs to limit vibrations. The diffuser baffles include a collar for reducing vibrations. Acknowledgement of the above references herein is not to be inferred as meaning that these are in any way relevant to the patentability of the presently disclosed subject matter.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION According to the present disclosure there is a modular HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning) plenum configurable for engagement with an air duct, the plenum comprising a housing having a first port associated with a tubular neck portion connectable to an air duct and composed of a pair of complimentary sleeve segments slidably articulated over the first port between a restricted section area neck portion and an expanded section area neck portion, and a second port being in flow communication with the first port. Hereinafter in the specification and claims the terms ‘first port’ and ‘second port’ are used to denote a fluid flow port, wherein any of the first port and the second port can be an inlet port or an outlet port, and wherein flow direction is dictated by functionality of the HVAC plenum, namely as an air intake plenum (wherein the first port is an outlet port and the second port is an inlet port), or an air diffuser plenum (wherein the first port is an inlet port and the second port is an outlet port). The disclosure is directed to a modular HVAC plenum comprising a housing having an first port and a second port being in fluid flow communication with one another, said first port being in flow communication with a modular air duct coupling unit; wherein the air duct coupling unit comprises tubular neck portion composed of a pair of complimentary sleeve segments articulated over the first port and slidable over a top surface thereof; each of the sleeve segments comprises at least a rigid wall portion and a flexible wall portion, wherein the flexible portion of one sleeve segment is slidable against a surface wall portion of the other sleeve segment; and a fixating arrangement for selectively arresting displacement of the sleeve segments over the top surface. According to yet an example of the disclosure, the rigid wall portion of a sleeve segment has a circular portion and the flexible portion extends from a first end of the rigid wall portion, and wherein the flexible portion of a complimentary sleeve segment slidably displaces against a second end of the rigid wall. According to a particular example of the disclosure, the rigid wall portion of each of the sleeve segments is a two-walled raceway slidingly accommodating the flexible wall portion of the complimentary sleeve segment. By one example, the two-walled rigid wall portion of each of the sleeve segments can have an inverted U-like shaped cross section, with a top closed end and an open bottom end. By a particular design, the tubular neck portion is oval (i.e., made up of two semicircles connected on their sides by parallel lines), though according to other examples the tubular neck portion can be cylindrical or elliptical, or even polygonal. At a maximal size of the neck portion, a flexible wall portion of one sleeve segment maintains contact with the rigid wall portion of the complimentary sleeve segment, whereby the neck portion retains a closed tubular shape at all times. The fixating arrangement is a sliding locking arrangement to selectively displace the segments; The fixating arrangement comprises a distinct locking arrangement for arresting the sleeve segments at a spaced apart relation, corresponding with nominal size of an air duct; The distinct locking arrangement can comprise a locking tab secured on side flaps of the sleeve segments, and a locking recess along a portion of the top surface configured with one or more tab arresting bays along said recess, wherein the locking tab is displaceable between a locked position and an unlocked position, wherein at the locked position said locking tab arrests within a tab arresting bays, hence preventing sliding displacement of the sleeve segment over the housing, and at the unlocked position the locking tab is disengaged from a tab arresting bay, facilitating sliding displacement of the respective sleeve segment over the housing.

Any one or more of the following features, designs and configurations can be associated with any one or more of the aspects of the present disclosure, individually or in various combinations thereof: • The rigid wall portion of the sleeve segments can comprise at one end thereof a tangent wall extension, slidingly receiving an end of the flexible wall portion of the complimentary sleeve segment; • The flexible wall portion is integral with the rigid wall portion and extends at an end of the rigid wall portion, opposite the tangent wall extension; • The sleeve segments can comprise a laterally extending side flap slidable over the top surface of the housing, for covering end portions of the first port of the housing; • The side flaps of the sleeve segments can be configured with one or more break lines, for trimming excessive edges of the side flap; • The break lines can be disposed at locations corresponding with nominal air duct sizes; • A top edge portion of the rigid wall portion of the sleeve segments can be configured with an air duct arresting lip, said lip projecting laterally outwards; • The arresting lip can be continuous or interrupted; • The sleeve segments are identical and are slidingly disposed over the top surface of the housing in a mirror image; • The sleeve segments are disposed opposite one another and are displaceable between a minimal tubular neck position, wherein the rigid wall portion of the two sleeve segments are contracted to engage one another, and a maximum tubular neck position wherein the flexible wall portion of the two sleeve segments are retracted at maximum and wherein the circular portions are maximally spaced apart from one another; • The housing can comprise one or more support bridges, extending between opposite front and back walls of the housing; • The support bridge can have an arc section to avoid interruption with the baffle at the fully open position thereof; • The housing can be attachable to a construction wall surface; • The housing can comprise a flange attachable to a construction wall surface; • The flange can have an annular flat surface for air-tight attaching to construction wall surface; • The second port of the housing can comprise at a bottom portion thereof, a flange attachable to a construction wall surface; • The tubular neck portion defines an air duct axis, intersecting a plane of the top surface of the housing. According to a particular example said air duct axis extends normal to said plane; • The housing of the modular HVAC plenum can be connectable with a neighboring HVAC unit with flow communication facilitated therebetween; • The housing can be connectable to duct housing members, with fluid flow therebetween; • The housing of the modular HVAC plenum can be connectable with a neighboring HVAC member without flow communication therebetween, wherein a removable sealing plate is attachable at an end of the housing; • Neighboring HVAC plenums can be articulated to one another by an intermediate coupling unit extending between respective ends of the housing of neighboring HVAC plenums; • The housing can be configured with one or more open ends closable by an end piece or connectable with a neighboring HVAC member; • Air control baffle (damper) is pivotally disposed over a hinge extending within and between the sleeve segments; • The surface area of the air control baffle can be adjustable to correspond with section area of opening of the first port; • The air control baffle can comprise a central segment and one or more detachable side segments connectable to the central segment through brake lines, wherein each of the central segment and the one or more side segments comprises a hinge member for pivotally extending between the opposite complimentary sleeve segments; • An air duct arresting arrangement is provided for securing an air duct over the tubular neck portion; • The air duct can be a flexible tube, configurable for cramping over the tubular neck portion; • The air duct arresting arrangement can be a clamp- band; • The air duct arresting arrangement can be a zip-tie (tie band) system; • The zip-tie system can comprise one or more zip-ties fasteners configured for securing the one or more zip-ties to a portion of the plenum; • The zip-tie fastener can extend from the top face of the housing and comprises a duct pipe engaging portion, wherein when a zip-tie is fastened through said zip-tie fastener it deforms to bear against an outside surface of the air duct in a clamping fashion; • The zip-tie fasteners can be secured into a longitudinal slot at the side flaps of the sleeve segments; • The housing can comprise one or more support elements projecting from the top surface of the housing, for slidingly supporting the flexible wall portion of a sleeve segment; • The Second port of the housing can be surrounded by a flat rim for engagement to a structure wall surface. A ‘structure wall surface’ can be any wall, i.e., ceiling, wall, floor, HVAC trunk, etc.; • The housing can comprises a fastener arrangement for attaching the housing to a construction wall surface; • The fastener arrangement can be a dovetail fastener; • An inside wall surface of the housing can comprise serrated portions for engagement with an air diffuser grill connectable at the second port; • The fastener arrangement can be a snap fastener attachable to a connector configured at side walls of the housing; • The housing can be rectangle; • At their fully retracted position the complimentary sleeve segments of the tubular neck portion expose the entire first inlet • The fixating arrangement can comprise size-related indicia; • The fixating arrangement can comprise locked/unlocked indicia; • The housing can have a tapering cross section, rendering it suitable for nestable stacking; • A top portion of the housing can be configured with slider supports for slidingly retaining the sleeve segments. The slider supports can be inwards facing L-shaped elements, extending from a top face of the housing; • The zip-tie fasteners can be secured into the side flaps of the sleeve segments; • A top edge portion of the rigid wall portion of the sleeve segments comprises laterally projecting air duct arresting teeth; • Open side ends of the housing can comprise connectivity arrangement for connecting with neighboring housings of an HVAC system; • The connectivity arrangement can be a snap-type coupling arrangement; • At least at the restricted section position, at least an end portion of the flexible wall portions are deformed within the respective receiving rigid wall portions; • The sleeve segments and the top surface of the housing can be configured with depressions/grooves and bulges/ridges, respectively, for imparting a user with a true position sensation; • A modular HVAC plenum configurable for engagement with an air duct, the plenum comprising a housing having a first port associated with a tubular neck portion connectable to an air duct and composed of a pair of complimentary sleeve segments slidably articulated over the first port between a restricted section area neck portion and an expanded section area neck portion, and a second port being in flow communication with the first port; said first port being in flow communication with a modular air duct coupling unit; wherein said housing has at least one open side end comprising a connectivity arrangement for connecting with neighboring housings of an HVAC system.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In order to better understand the subject matter that is disclosed herein and to exemplify how it may be carried out in practice, embodiments will now be described, by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1Ais a perspective view of a HVAC plenum according to the present disclosure, fitted with an air duct; Fig. 1B is an exploded view of Fig. 1A; Fig. 1C is an enlargement od the portion marked 1C in Fig. 1B; Fig. 2Ais a vertical section along line 2A – 2A in Fig. 1A; Fig. 2Bis a vertical section along line 2B – 2B in Fig. 1A; Fig. 3 is the same as Fig. 1A, with the air duct removed; Fig. 4Ais a section along line 4A – 4A in Fig. 3; Fig. 4Bis a section along line 4B – 4B in Fig. 3, however with an air control baffle at a fully open position; Fig. 4Cis the same as Fig. 4A, however with the air control baffle at a fully open position; Fig. 5 is an enlargement of the portion marked V in Fig. 3; Fig. 6A is a top perspective view of an air duct coupling unit of the HVAC plenum of the disclosure; Fig. 6B is a section taken along line 6B – 6B in Fig. 6A; Fig. 6C is a section taken along line 6C – 6C in Fig. 6A; Fig. 7 is a partially exploded view of the HVAC plenum of Fig. 3; Fig. 8A is a perspective view of a portion of the housing and a angularly disposed sleeve segment, exposing a locking arrangement of the plenum; Fig. 8B is an enlarged section portion exposing a true position sensation arrangement; Fig. 8C is an enlargement of the portion marked 8C in Fig. 8B; Fig. 9A is an enlargement of the portion marked 9A in Fig. 7; Fig. 9B is an enlargement of the portion marked 9B in Fig. 7; Fig. 10 is a bottom perspective view of Fig. 4B; Fig. 11A is the same as Fig. 1A, the plenum illustrated at a contracted position; Fig. 11B is the same as Fif. 11A, with the air duct removed; Fig. 11C is a section taken along line 11C – 11C in Fig. 11B; Fig. 12A illustrates the plenum of Fig. 1 attached to a construction wall surface; Fig. 12B is a section along line 12B – 12B in Fig. 12A; Fig. 13A is a plenum according to an example of the disclosure, the housing fitted with end pieces; Fig. 13B is a bottom view of Fid. 13A; Fig. 14 is a portion of a plenum according to the disclosure, directed to an embodiment of the air duct arresting arrangement; and Figs. 15A and 15B are a top perspective view and a bottom perspective view, respectively, of a two-duct plenum assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS With attention first being made to Figs. 1A and 1B of the drawings, there is illustrated a HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning) plenum system generally designated 20 , comprising a plenum generally designated 22 and an air duct 24 attached thereto. Air duct 24 is a flexible type air duct, either round and deformed at an end portion thereof to fit over an oval portion tubular neck portion of the plenum (to be discussed hereinafter in detail), or originally formed as an oval duct, typically thermally insulated. Plenum 22 comprises a rectangle shaped housing 30 extending between open side ends 32 closable by end plates 34 or connectable to neighboring housings of an HVAC system, as will be discussed herein below. Housing 30 is typically made of injection molded plastic material, and comprises a first port 40 at a top portion of the housing 30 , and a second port 42 and a bottom portion of housing 30 , said first port 40 and second port 42 being in flow communication via inside space 44 of the housing. Hereinafter in the specification and claims the terms ‘first port’ and ‘second port’ are used to denote a fluid flow port, wherein any of the first port and the second port can be an inlet port or an outlet port, and wherein flow direction is dictated by functionality of the HVAC plenum, namely as an air intake plenum (wherein the first port is an outlet port and the second port is an inlet port), or an air diffuser plenum (wherein the first port is an inlet port and the second port is an outlet port). Plenum 22 comprises a modular air duct coupling unit designated 50 being in flow communication over the first port 40 , said modular air duct coupling unit 50 having a tubular neck portion 52 , composed of a pair of complimentary, identical sleeve segments collectively designated 54 and identifies in the drawings as 54A and 54B (seen in isolation in Figs. 6A and 6B). Each of the two sleeve segments 54 comprises a rigid wall portion 56 and a flexible wall portion 58 , wherein rigid wall portion 56 is a two-walled portion giving rise to raceway 60 (best seen in Figs. 6C and 8A), slidingly accommodating the flexible wall portion 58 of a complimentary sleeve segment 54 . In the illustrated example, rigid wall portion 56has an inverted U-like shaped cross section, with a top closed end and an open bottom end. The tubular neck portion 52 defines an air duct axis Y , intersecting a plane of a top surface 70 of the housing 30 . In the particular example said air duct axis extends normal to said plane. The rigid wall portion 56 of sleeve segments 54 has a semi-circle shape, where flexible portion 58 extends from a first end of the rigid wall portion, and at a second end thereof there is an integral tangent wall extension 66 , wherein end 68 of the flexible wall portion 58is slidingly received within raceway 60 of the complimentary sleeve segment 54 . The arrangement is such that the sleeve segments 54Aand 54Bare slidably articulated to a top surface 70 of housing 30 , over the first port 40 , between a restricted section area neck portion and an expanded section area neck portion, as will be clarified hereinbelow. Sliding engagement of the two sleeve segments 54A and 54B towards or away from one another, gives rise to an oval shaped tubular neck portion 52 , i.e. made up of two semi-circle portions rigid wall portions 56 connected on their sides by parallel lines (namely flexible wall portion 58 with tangent wall extensions 66 ). Further noted, the top edge of the rigid wall portion 56 of the is configured with an air duct arresting lip 80 , projecting laterally outwards and downwards, said lip configured to engage against an inside surface 82 (Figs. 2A and 2B) of air duct 24 . In the illustrated example lip 80 is interrupted, however according to different design (not shown) it can be continuous (uninterrupted). Each of the sleeve segments 54is configured at a bottom with a flat side flap 86extending laterally outwards/backwards from the rigid wall portion 56 , where the side flaps 86are slidable flat over the top surface 70of the housing. The sleeve segments 54are slidable retained over the top surface of the housing by a plurality of L-shaped slider supports 88 , extending from edges of top surface 70 . Additionally, several support elements 90 project from the top surface 70 of the housing, for slidingly supporting the flexible wall portions 58 , for preventing inward deformation/displacement thereof. The laterally extending side flaps 86 , cover end portions of the first port 40 of the housing, when the two sleeve segments 54are at a contracted position, and said side flaps 86 comprise one or more break lines 94 , for trimming excessive edges thereof, where the break lines 94 are typically disposed at locations corresponding with nominal air duct sizes.

Plenum 22 further comprises a fixating arrangement for selectively arresting displacement of the sleeve segments 54 over the top surface, at discrete locations. Fixating arrangement comprises a locking tab 100 slidable over the side flaps 86 of the sleeve segments and projecting through an opening 102 (Fig. 8A) wherein the locking tab 100 has a tongue 103 (Fig. 10) selectively engageable with a locking recess 104 along a portion of the top surface 70 , and several tab arresting bays 108 along said recess 104 , wherein the locking tab 100 is displaceable between a locked position wherein the locking tongue 103 arrests within a tab arresting bay 108 , and an unlocked position, disengaged from a tab arresting bay. The arrangement is such that at the locked position sliding displacement of the sleeve segment 54 over the housing is prevented, and at the unlocked position sliding displacement of the respective sleeve segment over the housing is facilitated for displacing the sleeve segment 54 , towards or away from one another. Thereby adjusting the size of the neck portion. Notably, the tab arresting bays 108 are disposed at a spaced apart relation, corresponding with nominal sizes of an air duct. The sleeve segments 54A and 54B are slidably displaceable, in direction of arrow 55 in Fig. 6A) between a minimal tubular neck position, wherein the rigid wall portion 56 of the two sleeve segments are contracted to engage one another, and a maximum tubular neck position wherein the flexible wall portion 58 of the two sleeve segments are retracted at maximum and wherein the circular portions are maximally spaced apart from one another. At the maximum tubular neck position a flexible wall portion 58 of one sleeve segment maintains contact with the rigid wall portion of the complimentary sleeve segment (namely remains within the raceway 60 ), whereby the neck portion retains a closed tubular shape at all times. However, it is appreciated that at any restricted position, at least an end portion of the flexible wall portions 58 are deformed within the respective receiving rigid wall portions 56 . Also noted, the fixating arrangement comprise size-related indicia, namely air duct diameter markings 112 extending opposite arrow 114 , indicative of the actual size (diameter) of the tubular neck portion. In addition, the side flaps 86 have locked/unlocked indicia 116 (best seen in Fig. 9B), indicating whether locking tab 100 is locked or unlocked. With reference to Figs. 8A – 8C, it is seen that top face 70 of the housing 30 is configured with a ridge 120 snapingly engageable within corresponding recesses 122 formed at the bottom surface 124 of side flaps 86 , imparting a user with a true position sensation, as the sleeve segments 54 slidingly displace over housing 30 . HVAC plenum 22 further comprises an air control baffle (damper) 130 at the first port 40 , pivotally about a tilt axis X and being retained by an integral hinge 132 extending within and between the sleeve segments 54A and 54B and supported by a hinge support 136 . The surface area of the air control baffle 130 can be adjustable to correspond with section area of opening of the first port 40 , whereby baffle 130 comprises a central segment 130A and symmetrically disposed detachable side segments 130A and 130B , connectable to the central segment 130A through brake lines 135 , wherein each of the central segment 130A and the side segments 130B ; 130C comprises a hinge member 132 for pivotally extending between the opposite complimentary sleeve segments. This arrangement facilitates adjusting the size of baffle 130 to the effective size of first inlet 40 , namely the actual size of the tubular neck portion 52 . The housing 30 further comprises a detachable support bridge 140 , extending between inside opposite front and back walls 142 ; 144 of the housing 30 , said support bridge 140 provided for reinforcing the structure of housing 30 , and wherein the support bridge can be detachably articulated to the side walls (through dovetail couplers 146 ), or be integrally formed therewith. Noticeable, support bridge 140 has a top arc section 138 to avoid interruption with the baffle 130 at the fully open position thereof (Fig. 4C). Plenum 22 is further configured with an air duct arresting arrangement, for securing an air duct over the tubular neck portion, and preventing unintentional detachment thereof (that being in addition to air duct arresting lip 80 . According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the air duct arresting arrangement is a zip-tie (tie band) system comprising one (or more) zip-ties 150 fitted for tightly fastening over air duct 24 when it is applied over the tubular neck portion 52 . The zip-tie 150 is secured to the housing 30 by zip-ties fasteners 154 (best seen in Fig. 8A), snap fitted into top surface 70 of the housing. The zip-ties fasteners 154 are configured with an air duct bearing face 158 , wherein when a zip-tie is fastened through said zip-tie fastener it deforms to bear against an outside surface of the air duct in a clamping fashion. According to an example of the disclosure (Fig. 14), zip-tie 160 is integral with zip-tie fastener 162 , the latter being snapingly attached at receptacle port 164 to side flap 86 of the sleeve segments 54 .

Seen in Figs. 12A and 12B, housing 30 of plenum 22 is attachable to any construction wall surface 180 (wherein a construction wall surface may be any wall, i.e., ceiling, wall, floor, HVAC trunk, etc.). Accordingly, the housing 30 comprises at a bottom portion thereof, near the second port, a peripheral annular flange/rim 184 for air-tight attaching to any construction wall surface 180 . Attachment to a construction wall surface 180 may be, for example, by way of external L-shaped fasteners 186 attachable to dovetail receptacles 188 formed at outside wall surfaces of housing 30 . Housing 30 of the modular HVAC plenum 22 can be a closed rectangle having four side walls, or it can have one or two open side ends. In the illustrated example, housing 30 is of the type having two open side ends (best seen in Figs. 1B and 1C). The open ends can be sealed by end plates 34 , or any duct housing member can be attached thereto, e.g., an enlargement end piece 35 (Figs. 13A, 13B, 15A, 15B), a length adjusting housing member, e.g. an intermediate coupling unit (with or without flow path extending therethrough, and however devoid of air duct connection; e.g. element 37 in Fig. 15B), or the housing can be connectable with housing of a neighboring HVAC unit with or without flow communication facilitated therebetween (Figs.15A and 15B). according to a particular example, the housing has a tapering cross section, rendering it suitable for nestable stacking at an unassembled position thereof (not shown). In Figs. 15A and 15B two neighboring modular HVAC plenums 22A and 22B are connectable with one another through coextensive coupling of the housings 30A and 30B to one another, however without flow communication therebetween, owing to provision of a removable sealing plate 190 therebetween. In such a case, one of the HVAC plenums can serve as an air intake plenum 22A with arrows 196 indicating air flow direction, and the other one can serve as an air diffuser plenum 22B with arrows 198 indicating air flow direction. Attaching an element to the ends of the housing 30 is facilitated through a connectivity arrangement wherein at the illustrated examples said connectivity arrangement is a snap-type coupling arrangement, best appreciated in Fig. 1C, wherein a plurality of male couplers 202 formed at one or both of the open ends of the housing and the mating connecting unit, are snapingly engageable with a plurality of corresponding female couplers 204 formed at the other one or both of the open ends of the housing and the mating connecting unit.

Also noted, an inside surface of wall surface of front and back walls 142 ; 144 of the housing 30 is configured with a serrated portion 208 for engagement with an air diffuser grill (not shown) connectable at the second port, by spring clips (not shown). The arrangement is such that the tubular neck portion 52 is set to the nominal size, depending on the air duct 24 to be coupled thereto. This is carried out by unlocking the locking tabs 100 , sliding displacement of the sleeve segments 54A and 54B in direction of arrow 55 in Fig. 6A, to reach the desired size, and then locking said locking tabs 100 . Then, the air duct 24 is mounted over the tubular neck portion 52 into arresting over air duct arresting lip 80 . Finally, air duct arresting zip-tie 150 is tightly tensioned over the air duct 24 , against the tubular neck portion 52 . 10

Claims

- 15 - 305016/ CLAIMS:

1. A modular HVAC plenum configurable for engagement with an air duct, the plenum comprising a housing having a first port associated with a tubular neck portion connectable to an air duct and composed of a pair of complimentary sleeve segments slidably articulated over the first port between a restricted section area neck portion and an expanded section area neck portion, and a second port being in flow communication with the first port.

2. The modular HVAC plenum of claim 1, comprising a housing having an first port and a second port being in fluid flow communication with one another, said first port being in flow communication with a modular air duct coupling unit; wherein the air duct coupling unit comprises tubular neck portion composed of a pair of complimentary sleeve segments articulated over the first port and slidable over a top surface thereof; each of the sleeve segments comprises at least a rigid wall portion and a flexible wall portion, wherein the flexible portion of one sleeve segment is slidable against a rigid wall portion of the other sleeve segment; and a fixating arrangement for selectively arresting displacement of the sleeve segments over the top surface.

3. The modular HVAC plenum of claim 2, wherein the rigid wall portion of a sleeve segment has a circular portion and the flexible portion extends from a first end of the rigid wall portion, and wherein the flexible portion of a complimentary sleeve segment slidably displaces against a second end of the rigid wall.

4. The modular HVAC plenum of any one of claims 2 and 3, wherein the rigid wall portion of each of the sleeve segments is a two-walled raceway slidingly accommodating the flexible wall portion of the complimentary sleeve segment.

5. The modular HVAC plenum of any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the two-walled rigid wall portion of each of the sleeve segments can have an inverted U-like shaped cross section, with a top closed end and an open bottom end.

6. The modular HVAC plenum of any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the tubular neck portion is oval and comprises two semicircles connected on their sides by parallel lines.

7. The modular HVAC plenum of any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein at a maximal size of the neck portion, a flexible wall portion of one sleeve segment maintains contact with the rigid wall portion of the complimentary sleeve segment, whereby the neck portion retains a closed tubular shape at all times. - 16 - 305016/

8. The modular HVAC plenum of any one of claims 2 to 7, wherein fixating arrangement is a sliding locking arrangement to selectively displace the segments.

9. The modular HVAC plenum of any one of claims 2 to 8, wherein the fixating arrangement comprises a distinct locking arrangement for arresting the sleeve segments at a spaced apart relation, corresponding with nominal size of an air duct.

10. The modular HVAC plenum of any one of claims 2 to 9, wherein the fixating arrangement comprises a locking tab secured on side flaps of the sleeve segments, and a locking recess along a portion of the top surface configured with one or more tab arresting bays along said recess, wherein the locking tab is displaceable between a locked position and an unlocked position, wherein at the locked position said locking tab arrests within a tab arresting bays, hence preventing sliding displacement of the sleeve segment over the housing, and at the unlocked position the locking tab is disengaged from a tab arresting bay, facilitating sliding displacement of the respective sleeve segment over the housing.

11. The modular HVAC plenum of any one of claims 2 to 10, wherein the rigid wall portion of the sleeve segments comprises at one end thereof a tangent wall extension, slidingly receiving an end of the flexible wall portion of the complimentary sleeve segment.

12. The modular HVAC plenum of claim 11, wherein the flexible wall portion is integral with the rigid wall portion and extends at an end of the rigid wall portion, opposite the tangent wall extension.

13. The modular HVAC plenum of any one of claims 2 to 12, wherein the sleeve segments comprise a laterally extending side flap slidable over the top surface of the housing, for covering end portions of the first inlet of the housing.

14. The modular HVAC plenum of any one of claims 2 to 13, wherein side flaps of the sleeve segments are configured with one or more break lines, for trimming excessive edges of the side flap.

15. The modular HVAC plenum of any one of claims 2 to 14, wherein break lines are disposed at locations corresponding with nominal air duct sizes.

16. The modular HVAC plenum of any one of claims 2 to 15, wherein a top edge portion of the rigid wall portion of the sleeve segments comprises an air duct arresting lip, said lip projecting laterally outwards. - 17 - 305016/

17. The modular HVAC plenum of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sleeve segments are identical and are slidingly disposed over the top surface of the housing in a mirror image.

18. The modular HVAC plenum of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sleeve segments are disposed opposite one another and are displaceable between a minimal tubular neck position, wherein the rigid wall portion of the two sleeve segments are contracted to engage one another, and a maximum tubular neck position wherein the flexible wall portion of the two sleeve segments are retracted at maximum and wherein the rigid wall portion are maximally spaced apart from one another.

19. The modular HVAC plenum of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the housing is attachable to a construction wall surface.

20. The modular HVAC plenum of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the housing comprises a flange attachable to a construction wall surface.

21. The modular HVAC plenum of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second port of the housing comprises at a bottom portion thereof, a flange attachable to a construction wall surface.

22. The modular HVAC plenum of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the tubular neck portion defines an air duct axis, intersecting a plane of the top surface of the housing.

23. The modular HVAC plenum of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the housing is connectable with a neighboring HVAC unit with flow communication facilitated therebetween.

24. The modular HVAC plenum of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the housing is connectable to duct housing members, with fluid flow facilitated therebetween.

25. The modular HVAC plenum of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the housing is connectable with a neighboring HVAC member without flow communication therebetween, wherein a removable sealing plate is attachable at an end of the housing.

26. The modular HVAC plenum of any one of the preceding claims, wherein Neighboring HVAC plenums are articulated to one another by an intermediate coupling unit extending between respective ends of the housing of neighboring HVAC plenums.

27. The modular HVAC plenum of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the housing is configured with one or more open ends closable by an end piece or connectable with a neighboring HVAC member. - 18 - 305016/

28. The modular HVAC plenum of any one of the preceding claims, wherein an air control baffle is pivotally disposed over a hinge extending within and between the sleeve segments.

29. The modular HVAC plenum of claim 28, wherein the surface area of the air control baffle is adjustable to correspond with section area of opening of the first port.

30. The modular HVAC plenum of claim 28, wherein the air control baffle comprises a central segment and one or more detachable side segments connectable to the central segment through brake lines, wherein each of the central segment and the one or more side segments comprises a hinge member for pivotally extending between the opposite complimentary sleeve segments.

31. The modular HVAC plenum of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the housing comprises one or more support bridges, extending between opposite front and back walls of the housing.

32. The modular HVAC plenum of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the air duct is a flexible tube, configurable for cramping over the tubular neck portion.

33. The modular HVAC plenum of any one of the preceding claims, further comprising an air duct arresting arrangement for securing an air duct over the tubular neck portion.

34. The modular HVAC plenum of claim 33, wherein the air duct arresting arrangement is a clamp - band.

35. The modular HVAC plenum of claim 33, wherein the air duct arresting arrangement is a zip-tie system.

36. The modular HVAC plenum of claim 35, wherein the zip-tie system comprises one or more zip-tie fasteners configured for securing the one or more zip-ties to a portion of the plenum.

37. The modular HVAC plenum of claim 36, wherein the zip-tie fastener extends from the top face of the housing and comprises a duct pipe engaging portion, wherein when a zip-tie is fastened through said zip-tie fastener it deforms to bear against an outside surface of the air duct in a clamping fashion.

38. The modular HVAC plenum of claim 36, wherein the zip-tie fasteners are secured into the side flaps of the sleeve segments. - 19 - 305016/

39. The modular HVAC plenum of any one of claims 2-38, wherein the housing comprises one or more support elements projecting from the top surface of the housing, for slidingly supporting the flexible wall portion of a sleeve segment.

40. The modular HVAC plenum of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the housing comprises a fastener arrangement for attaching the housing to a construction wall surface.

41. The modular HVAC plenum of claim 40, wherein the fastener arrangement is a dovetail fastener.

42. The modular HVAC plenum of claim 40, wherein the fastener arrangement is a snap fastener attachable to a connector configured at side walls of the housing.

43. The modular HVAC plenum of any one of the preceding claims, wherein an inside wall surface of the housing comprises serrated portions for engagement with an air diffuser grill connectable at the second port.

44. The modular HVAC plenum of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the housing has a rectangle shape.

45. The modular HVAC plenum of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at their fully retracted position the complimentary sleeve segments of the tubular neck portion expose the entire first inlet.

46. The modular HVAC plenum of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fixating arrangement comprises one or more of size-related indicia and locked/unlocked indicia.

47. The modular HVAC plenum of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the housing has a tapering cross section, rendering it suitable for nestable stacking.

48. The modular HVAC plenum of any one of the preceding claims, wherein open side ends of the housing comprise connectivity arrangement for connecting with neighboring housings of an HVAC system.

49. The modular HVAC plenum of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the housing comprises one or two open sides, said open sides configurable for closing by an end piece or being connectable to a neighboring housing of an HVAC system.

50. A modular HVAC plenum configurable for engagement with an air duct, the plenum comprising a housing having a first port associated with a tubular neck portion connectable to an air duct and composed of a pair of complimentary sleeve segments slidably articulated over the first port between a restricted section area neck portion and - 20 - 305016/ an expanded section area neck portion, and a second port being in flow communication with the first port; said first port being in flow communication with a modular air duct coupling unit; wherein said housing has at least one open side end comprising a connectivity arrangement for connecting with neighboring housings of an HVAC system.