WO2015013819A1

WO2015013819A1 - Cabinet trim connector for exhaust duct

Info

Publication number: WO2015013819A1
Application number: PCT/CA2014/050709
Authority: WO
Inventors: Vinodh Satya-kama PARRAY
Original assignee: PARRAY INNOVATIONS Ltd
Current assignee: PARRAY INNOVATIONS Ltd
Priority date: 2013-07-29
Filing date: 2014-07-25
Publication date: 2015-02-05
Anticipated expiration: 2016-01-29

Abstract

An exhaust duct connector is provided, which includes an outer sealing flange extending around substantially the outer perimeter of the connector, an exhaust duct seating slot recessed into an upper surface of the outer sealing flange, where the exhaust duct seating slot includes inner and outer slot walls, and a central recessed slot opening located between the inner and outer slot walls, an inner duct support flange extending substantially upward from the seating slot, and a substantially central vent opening extending through the connector, where the vent opening is defined by an inner surface of the inner duct support flange.

Description

CABINET TRIM CONNECTOR FOR EXHAUST DUCT

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is related and claims priority to US Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 61/859,703 filed July 29, 2013, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates generally to exhaust duct connectors. More specifically, the present invention relates to exhaust duct connectors which are adapted to connect a kitchen hood exhaust duct to a cabinet or enclosure.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Conventional household or commercial range, microwave, cooker, or other vent hoods typically require connection to an exhaust duct in order to vent exhaust gases to suitable outside or other exhaust discharge locations. Many existing exhaust vent systems, and residential kitchen vent systems in particular, typically require routing of such exhaust gases through a cabinet or other enclosure located above a vent hood or source of exhaust gases, and therefore require the connection of exhaust ducting and/or duct boots to a vent opening in a cabinet or enclosure surface.

However, existing exhaust duct connectors and methods of connection of exhaust vent ducts to a vent opening in the surface of a cabinet or enclosure have been found to have limitations which undesirably limited their usefulness and/or commercial success. Certain existing exhaust duct connectors and methods of connecting ducts to the surface of cabinets or other enclosures have been found to be unsightly, unfinished or of poor quality and may additionally be ineffective to cover an irregular opening in a cabinet, for example. Other existing exhaust duct connectors and methods of connection may require installation using undesirable temporary or potentially messy or unsightly means of connection such as tape or adhesives.

Such existing connectors and methods of connection may also be prone to coming unconnected due to accumulation of cooking grease and/or exposure to heat, and may comprise materials which may be susceptible to fire or heat damage. They may also be unsuitable, inefficient or ineffective for application to finished cabinets or enclosures where a regular, permanent and flush finished connection and interface between the cabinet and exhaust ducting is desired.

Accordingly, there remains a desire for improved exhaust duct connectors for connecting vent hood exhaust ducts to cabinets or enclosures that address some of the limitations of the exhaust duct connectors known in the art.

SUMMARY OF THE I VENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a cabinet connector for an exhaust duct that addresses some of the limitations of the prior art.

In one aspect of the invention, an exhaust duct connector is provided that comprises: an outer sealing flange extending around substantially the outer perimeter of the connector;

an exhaust duct seating slot recessed into an upper surface of the outer sealing flange, wherein the exhaust duct seating slot comprises inner and outer slot walls, and a central recessed slot opening located between the inner and outer slot walls;

an inner duct support flange extending substantially upward from the seating slot; and a substantially central vent opening extending through the connector, where the vent opening is defined by an inner surface of said inner duct support flange.

In a further aspect of the invention, at least one of the outer perimeter and the outer sealing flange of the above-described exhaust duct connector may comprise at least one of a rectangular, round, and semi-elliptical shape. In yet a further aspect of the invention, at least one of the central opening, the exhaust duct sealing slot and the inner duct support flange of the exhaust duct connector may comprise at least one of a rectangular, round, and semi-elliptical shape.

In another aspect of the invention, the above-described exhaust duct connector may additionally comprise an inner cabinet support flange extending substantially downward from a lower surface of the outer sealing flange, and adapted for connection to an opening in a cabinet or other surface such as a substantially planar surface. In one such aspect of the invention, an inner surface of the cabinet support flange may define a lower portion of the substantially central opening.

In yet another aspect of the invention, the above-described exhaust duct connector may additionally comprise a seal, such as a gasket seal, adapted for sealing against at least a portion of the outer sealing flange and operable to seal the outer sealing flange against a substantially planar surface. In a further aspect of the invention, at least one of the exhaust duct connector and the seal may comprise at least one of fire resistant, flame retardant, self extinguishing and intumescent materials.

Further advantages of the invention will become apparent when considering the drawings in conjunction with the detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The apparatus of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing figures, in which:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of an exhaust duct connector according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front elevation view of the exhaust duct connector shown in FIG. 1 , according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of the exhaust duct connector shown in FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional side elevation view of the exhaust duct connector shown in FIG. 2, shown along section line A- A, according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the exhaust duct connector shown in FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6 is an isometric view of a round exhaust duct connector according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional side elevation view of the round exhaust duct connector shown in FIG. 6, shown along section line B-B, according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 8 is a plan view of the round exhaust duct connector shown in FIG. 6, according to an embodiment of the invention. FIG. 9 is an isometric view of a semi-elliptical exhaust duct connector according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional side elevation view of the semi-elliptical exhaust duct connector shown in FIG. 9, shown along section line C-C, according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 11 is a plan view of the semi-elliptical exhaust duct connector shown in FIG. 9, according to an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIG.s 1-5, an isometric view of an exhaust duct connector 100 is shown in FIG. 1 , according to an embodiment of the present invention. Front and side elevation view of the exhaust duct connector 100 are shown in FIG.s 2 and 3, respectively, according to embodiments of the present invention. A cross-sectional side elevation view of the exhaust duct connector 100 along section line A-A is shown in FIG. 4, and a plan view of the exhaust duct connector 100 is shown in FIG. 5, according to embodiments of the invention. The exhaust duct connector 100 comprises an outer sealing flange 102 which extends substantially around the outer perimeter of the connector 100, and is adapted for sealing attachment on top of a substantially planar surface around an exhaust duct vent opening, such as a substantially planar surface of a cabinet, or other enclosure through which an exhaust duct opening extends. Exhaust duct connector 100 also comprises an exhaust duct seating slot 106 which is recessed into an upper surface of the outer sealing flange 102, which surrounds an outside edge of the exhaust duct seating slot 106. The exhaust duct seating slot 106 comprises outer and inner seating slot walls, which are located at the outer and inner edges of the seating slot 106, respectively, and a central recessed slot opening located between said inner and outer slot walls of the seating slot 106. The seating slot 106 is adapted to receive a section of exhaust heating duct (not shown) for attachment to the connector 100, where the end of the exhaust duct section fits into the seating slot 106, fitting between the inner and outer walls of the seating slot 106, to provide a secure attachment point for the section of exhaust duct connected to the connector 100. In a preferred embodiment, the seating slot 106 may also desirably provide a sealing attachment of the exhaust duct section to the connector 100, with the end of the exhaust duct section sealing against the bottom and/or sides of the seating slot 106.

The exhaust duct connector 100 also comprises an inner duct support flange 104 extending substantially upward from the seating slot 106 of the exhaust duct connector 100. The inner duct support flange 104 is located adjacent to the inside edge of the exhaust duct seating slot 106 and is surrounded by the seating slot 106. The inner duct support flange 104 is operable to extend upwards inside along the inner wall of a section of exhaust duct the end of which is inserted in the seating slot 106, to provide support for the exhaust ducting section, such as to prevent unwanted flexing or movement or disengagement of the exhaust ducting section from within the seating slot 106. In a preferred embodiment, the inner duct support flange 104 may be located immediately adjacent to seating slot 106, such that the inner slot wall of seating slot 106 comprises at least part of the outer wall of the inner duct support flange 104, and provides for intimate contact between the inner surface of an exhaust duct section seated in seating slot 106 and the outer wall surface of duct support flange 104.

In another preferred embodiment, the inner duct support flange 104 may also desirably provide for an attachment surface to secure the exhaust ducting section inserted in seating slot 106 to the connector 100, such as by one or more suitable fasteners or other means of attachment between or extending through the outside wall of the exhaust duct section and the inner duct support flange 104, for example. In one such embodiment, a section of exhaust ducting inserted in seating slot 106 may be desirably securely attached to the inner support flange 104 by use of one or more screws or other suitable fasteners penetrating through the wall of the exhaust ducting and the inner duct support flange, to securely attach the exhaust ducting section to the connector 100.

The exhaust duct connector 100 also comprises a substantially central vent opening 105 extending through the duct connector 100, the perimeter of which is defined by the inner wall of the inner duct support flange 104. The central vent opening 105 is operable to allow passage of exhaust gases through the exhaust duct connector 100 from an opening in a cabinet or other enclosure or surface below the connector 100, to a section of exhaust duct attached to the exhaust duct connector 100. In one embodiment, the substantially central vent opening 105 of duct connector 100 may desirably be shaped and sized to conform to a desired shape and size of exhaust ducting section desired to be attached to the connector 100, and thereby to the cabinet, enclosure or other surface beneath the connector 100. In a particular embodiment of the invention, the central vent opening 105 may comprise a substantially rectangular shape, and may be dimensioned to fit a desired standard or commonly used rectangular exhaust ducting, or exhaust duct boot, such as a 3.25" x 10" rectangular exhaust duct or duct boot dimension, for example. In one such embodiment, the overall perimeter shape of the exhaust duct connector 100 may also comprise a suitably larger but substantially similar aspect ratio rectangular shape, as is shown in the exemplary duct connector 100 embodiment illustrated in FIG.s 1-5, for example. In an alternative embodiment, however, the overall perimeter shape of the duct connector 100 may comprise any suitable shape sized to allow for the desired exhaust ducting or duct boot and corresponding central vent opening 105 to fit within the connector 100, surrounded by the outer sealing flange 102.

In one embodiment, the outer sealing flange 102 of the duct connector 100 may comprise a plurality of sections, each section having a different profile of thickness or height, for example. In one such embodiment, outer sealing flange 102 may comprise a front sealing flange section 116, side sealing flange sections 108 and a back sealing flange section 110. In a particular exemplary embodiment, front sealing flange section 116 and/or side sealing flange sections 108 may comprise a tapered flange profile increasing in thickness extending away from the outer perimeter and towards sealing slot 106, while back sealing flange section 110 may comprise a substantially constant thickness flange profile, and ending in a steeper or substantially vertical back sealing flange wall 112 adjacent to duct seating slot 106, for example, as may be desirable to reduce to thickness or profile of a back section of sealing flange 102 located behind a section of exhaust ducting within a cabinet or other enclosure. In a particular embodiment, the outer sealing flange 102 may desirably comprise a sufficiently wide flange extension outward from the seating slot 106 so as to provide for coverage of a potentially irregular, uneven, oversized or otherwise roughly shaped vent opening in the surface (such as a cabinet or enclosure surface for example) underlying the duct connector 100.

In a particular embodiment, sealing flange 102 may be desirably adapted for secure attachment, and preferably secure sealing attachment to a substantially planar surface, such as a cabinet or enclosure surface below the duct connector 100, and surrounding an exhaust opening in the surface. In one such embodiment, sealing flange 102 may comprise one or more fastener openings 114 such as to admit suitable fasteners, such as screws or bolts, for securely fastening the duct connector 100 to a substantially planar underlying surface, such as the surface of a cabinet or enclosure, for example. In another such embodiment, outer sealing flange 102 may be adapted to accept a seal 109 such as a gasket seal 109, for enhanced sealing attachment to a surface such as a cabinet or enclosure surface under duct connector 100. In a preferred such embodiment, duct connector 100 may be adapted to work with a gasket seal 109 comprising a suitable seal material, such as a neoprene, rubber, foam, plastic, adhesive, or other suitable seal material, optionally also in conjunction with one or more suitable fasteners such as screws secured in fastener openings 114, to securely and sealingly attach outer sealing flange 102 to an underlying surface such as a cabinet or enclosure surface. In a particular such embodiment, gasket seal 109 may comprise a suitable neoprene, rubber, foam or other suitable seal material, and may further comprise an adhesive material applied to at least one side of gasket 109 such as to provide for adhesive sealing installation against at least one of the duct connector 100 and a cabinet or enclosure surface underlying the gasket seal 109, for example. In one such embodiment, the seal gasket 109 may additionally be provided with a peelable protection strip over at least one adhesive surface thereof, such as to provide for easy installation such as by removing the peelable strip and application of the adhesive gasket seal surface to at least one of the duct connector 100 and a cabinet or enclosure surface underlying the gasket seal 109, for example.

In another preferred embodiment, seal 109 may desirably comprise a gasket seal 109 which comprises a suitable heat and/or fire resistant seal material. In one such embodiment, the heat and/or fire resistant seal material may desirably also be resistant to grease and/or other cooking oils such as may be present in exhaust gases passing through the duct connector 100, for example. In a particular embodiment, the seal gasket 109 may desirably comprise a suitable flame-retardant or self-extinguishing seal material, such as a suitable closed cell polyvinyl chloride (PVC) foam seal material such as a F700 or V700 closed cell PVC foam gasket seal material available from Gaska Tape Inc. of Elkhart, Indiana, USA, for example. In another particular embodiment, the seal gasket 109 may desirably comprise a suitable intumescent fire- resistant seal material, such as a suitable intumescent rubber or neoprene fire stop seal material, such as a SpecSeal™ fire stop seal material available from Specified Technologies Inc. of Somerville, New Jersey, USA, for example. In yet another embodiment, the seal gasket 109 may also desirably comprise a vibration dampening material, such as a suitable neoprene, rubber, foam or other suitable material which may desirably be compressible between the duct connector 100 and underlying cabinet surface, such as to dampen or reduce vibrations. In one such embodiment, a vibration dampening seal gasket 109 may desirably provide for reducing transmission of vibrations from a ventilation fan or the like to a cabinet and/or duct component members within a cabinet or wall, and may thereby desirably be effective to also reduce ventilation system noise levels associated with vibrations.

In one embodiment, the exhaust duct connector 100 may additionally comprise an inner cabinet support flange 118 extending substantially downward from a lower surface of the outer sealing flange 102, which is adapted to fit within an opening in a cabinet, enclosure, or other substantially planar surface beneath the duct connector 100. The inner cabinet support flange 118 is adapted to extend substantially downwards within an opening in the surface underlying the duct connector 100 such as to desirably provide support for the duct connector 100, and to optionally allow for attachment of the duct connector 100 within the opening, such as to prevent unwanted flexing or movement or disengagement of the exhaust duct connector 100 from the opening in the underlying surface such as a cabinet or enclosure surface containing the exhaust duct connector 100 and an attached section of exhaust ducting. In one such embodiment, the inner surface of the inner cabinet support flange 1 18 defines a lower central vent opening 120, which may desirably smoothly connect with the substantially central vent opening 105 located above and extending through the outer sealing flange 102 of the duct connector 100.

In one embodiment, exhaust duct connector 100 may comprise any suitable known material having sufficient strength and rigidity for forming the above-described structures of the exhaust duct connector 100 according to the embodiments described herein. In a particular embodiment, the exhaust duct connector 100 may comprise any one or more suitable materials such as but not limited to plastic, polymer, metal, alloy, composite and wood or cellulose-based materials for example.

In a preferred embodiment, the duct connector 100 may desirably comprise any suitable heat and/or fire resistant material, such as a heat and/or fire-resistant acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) material. In a further embodiment, the duct connector 100 may comprise any suitably strong and rigid intumescent fire-resistant material. In another embodiment, exhaust duct connector 100 may desirably comprise a suitably strong and rigid flame-retardant or self- extinguishing resin material, such as a suitable polyphenylene ether/polystyrene resin material such as NORYL™ PX9406 polyphenylene ether/polystyrene resin material available from SABIC Innovative Plastics of Pittsfield, Massachusetts, USA, for example.

In a further preferred embodiment, the duct connector 100 may desirably comprise any suitable material capable of being molded or formed from a cast or mold, such as by injection, vacuum, compression, casting or other suitable molding technique, such as may be desirable for rapid and/or large scale production, for example. In an alternative embodiment, the duct connector 100 may be shaped, milled, machined, or otherwise made from any suitable material, such as those described above.

Referring now to FIG.s 6-8, an isometric view of an exhaust duct connector 600 is shown in FIG. 6, according to an embodiment of the present invention. A cross-sectional side elevation view of the exhaust duct connector 600 along section line B-B is shown in FIG. 7, and a plan view of the exhaust duct connector 600 is shown in FIG. 8, according to embodiments of the invention. Similar to as described above in relation to substantially rectangular duct connector 100, the substantially circular exhaust duct connector 600 shown in the embodiments illustrated in FIG.s 6-8 comprises an outer sealing flange 602 which extends substantially around the outer perimeter of the connector 600, and is adapted for sealing attachment on top of a substantially planar surface around an exhaust duct vent opening, such as a substantially planar surface of a cabinet, or other enclosure through which an exhaust vent opening extends.

Substantially circular exhaust duct connector 600 also comprises an exhaust duct seating slot 612 which is recessed into an upper surface of the outer sealing flange 602, which surrounds an outside edge of the exhaust duct seating slot 612. The exhaust duct seating slot 612 comprises outer and inner seating slot walls, which are located at the outer and inner edges of the seating slot 612, respectively, and a central recessed slot opening located between said inner and outer slot walls of the seating slot 612. The seating slot 612 is adapted to receive a section of exhaust heating duct (not shown) for attachment to the connector 600, where the end of the exhaust duct section fits into the seating slot 612, fitting between the inner and outer walls of the seating slot 612, to provide a secure attachment point for the section of exhaust duct connected to the connector 600. Similar to as in the rectangular duct connector 100 above, in a preferred embodiment, the seating slot 612 of substantially circular duct connector 600 may also desirably provide a sealing attachment of the exhaust duct section to the connector 600, with the end of the exhaust duct section sealing against the bottom and/or sides of the seating slot 612.

Similar to as described above in reference to the rectangular duct connector 100, the substantially circular exhaust duct connector 600 also comprises an inner duct support flange 604 extending substantially upward from the seating slot 612 of the exhaust duct connector 600. The inner duct support flange 604 is located adjacent to the inside edge of the exhaust duct seating slot 612 and is surrounded by the seating slot 612. The inner duct support flange 604 is operable to extend upwards inside along the inner wall of a section of exhaust duct the end of which is inserted in the seating slot 612, to provide support for the exhaust ducting section, such as to prevent unwanted flexing or movement or disengagement of the exhaust ducting section from within the seating slot 612. In a preferred embodiment, the inner duct support flange 604 may be located immediately adjacent to seating slot 612, such that the inner slot wall of seating slot 612 comprises at least part of the outer wall of the inner duct support flange 604, and desirably provides for intimate contact between the inner surface of a substantially circular exhaust duct section seated in seating slot 612 and the outer wall surface of duct support flange 604.

In another preferred embodiment, the inner duct support flange 604 may also desirably provide for an attachment surface to secure the exhaust ducting section inserted in seating slot 612 to the connector 600, such as by one or more suitable fasteners or other means of attachment between or extending through the outside wall of the exhaust duct section and the inner duct support flange 604, for example. In one such embodiment, a section of exhaust ducting inserted in seating slot 612 may be desirably securely attached to the inner support flange 604 by use of one or more screws or other suitable fasteners penetrating through the wall of the exhaust ducting and the inner duct support flange, to securely attach the exhaust ducting section to the connector 600.

The substantially circular exhaust duct connector 600 also comprises a substantially circular central vent opening 610 extending through the duct connector 600, the perimeter of which is defined by the inner wall of the inner duct support flange 604. The central vent opening 610 is operable to allow passage of exhaust gases through the exhaust duct connector 600 from a vent opening in a cabinet or other enclosure or surface below the connector 600, to a section of exhaust duct attached to the exhaust duct connector 600. In one embodiment, the substantially circular central vent opening 610 of duct connector 600 may desirably be sized to conform to a desired size of substantially circular exhaust ducting section desired to be attached to the connector 600, and thereby to the cabinet, enclosure or other surface beneath the connector 600. In a particular embodiment of the invention, the substantially circular central vent opening 610 may be dimensioned to fit a desired standard or commonly used substantially circular or round exhaust ducting section, or round exhaust duct boot, such as for example one or more of standard or commonly used 4", 5", 6", 7", 8" or 10" round exhaust duct or duct boot dimensions, for example. In an alternative embodiment, however, the overall perimeter shape of the duct connector 600 may comprise any suitable shape sized to allow for the desired exhaust ducting or duct boot and corresponding central vent opening 610 to fit within the connector 600, surrounded by the outer sealing flange 602.

In one embodiment, the outer sealing flange 602 of the duct connector 600, or a portion thereof, may comprise one or more different profiles of thickness or height, for example. In one such embodiment, at least an outer portion of outer sealing flange 602 may comprise a tapered flange profile increasing in thickness extending inwards from the outer perimeter and towards sealing slot 612, for example, while a second inner portion of outer sealing flange 602 may comprise a substantially constant thickness flange profile, for example. Similar to as described above in reference to rectangular duct connector 100, in a particular embodiment, the outer sealing flange 602 of round duct connector 600 may desirably comprise a sufficiently wide flange extension outward from the seating slot 612 so as to provide for coverage of a potentially irregular, uneven, oversized or otherwise roughly shaped vent opening in the surface (such as a cabinet or enclosure surface for example) underlying the duct connector 600.

Similar to as described above in reference to duct connector 100, in a particular embodiment, sealing flange 602 may be desirably adapted for secure attachment, and preferably secure sealing attachment to a substantially planar surface, such as a cabinet or enclosure surface below the duct connector 600, and surrounding an exhaust vent opening in the surface. In one such embodiment, sealing flange 602 may comprise one or more fastener openings 614 such as to admit suitable fasteners, such as screws or bolts, for securely fastening the duct connector 600 to a substantially planar underlying surface, such as the surface of a cabinet or enclosure, for example. In another such embodiment, outer sealing flange 602 may be adapted to accept a seal 616 such as a gasket seal 616, for enhanced sealing attachment to a surface such as a cabinet or enclosure surface under duct connector 600. In a preferred such embodiment, duct connector 600 may be adapted to work with a gasket seal 616 comprising a suitable seal material, such as a neoprene, rubber, foam, plastic, adhesive, or other suitable seal material, optionally also in conjunction with one or more suitable fasteners such as screws secured in fastener openings 614, to securely and sealingly attach outer sealing flange 602 to an underlying surface such as a cabinet or enclosure surface.

In a particular such embodiment, gasket seal 616 may comprise a suitable neoprene, rubber, foam or other suitable seal material, and may further comprise an adhesive material applied to at least one side of gasket 616 such as to provide for adhesive sealing installation against at least one of the duct connector 600 and a cabinet or enclosure surface underlying the gasket seal 616, for example. In one such embodiment, the gasket seal 616 may additionally be provided with a peelable protection strip over at least one adhesive surface thereof, such as to provide for easy installation such as by removing the peelable strip and application of the adhesive gasket seal surface to at least one of the duct connector 600 and a cabinet or enclosure surface underlying the gasket seal 616, for example.

In another preferred embodiment, seal 616 may desirably comprise a gasket seal 616 which comprises a suitable heat and/or fire resistant seal material. In one such embodiment, the heat and/or fire resistant seal material may desirably also be resistant to grease and/or other cooking oils such as may be present in exhaust gases passing through the duct connector 600, for example. In a particular embodiment, the gasket seal 616 may desirably comprise a suitable flame-retardant or self-extinguishing seal material, such as a suitable closed cell polyvinyl chloride (PVC) foam seal material such as a F700 or V700 closed cell PVC foam gasket seal material available from Gaska Tape Inc. of Elkhart, Indiana, USA, for example. In another particular embodiment, the gasket seal 616 may desirably comprise a suitable intumescent fire- resistant seal material, such as a suitable intumescent rubber or neoprene fire stop seal material, such as a SpecSeal™ fire stop seal material available from Specified Technologies Inc. of Somerville, New Jersey, USA, for example.

In yet another embodiment, the gasket seal 616 may also desirably comprise a vibration dampening material, such as a suitable neoprene, rubber, foam or other suitable material which may desirably be compressible between the duct connector 600 and underlying cabinet surface, such as to dampen or reduce vibrations. In one such embodiment, a vibration dampening gasket seal 616 may desirably provide for reducing transmission of vibrations from a ventilation fan or the like to a cabinet and/or duct component members within a cabinet or wall, and may thereby desirably be effective to also reduce ventilation system noise levels associated with vibrations.

Similar to as described above in reference to rectangular duct connector 100, in one embodiment, the exhaust duct connector 600 may additionally comprise an inner cabinet support flange 606 extending substantially downward from a lower surface of the outer sealing flange 602, which is adapted to fit within a vent opening in a cabinet, enclosure, or other substantially planar surface beneath the duct connector 600. The inner cabinet support flange 606 is adapted to extend substantially downwards within a vent opening in the surface underlying the duct connector 600 such as to desirably provide support for the duct connector 600, and to optionally allow for attachment of the duct connector 600 within the opening, such as to prevent unwanted flexing or movement or disengagement of the exhaust duct connector 600 from the opening in the underlying surface such as a cabinet or enclosure surface containing the exhaust duct connector 600 and an attached section of exhaust ducting. In one such embodiment, the inner surface of the inner cabinet support flange 606 defines a lower central vent opening 608, which may desirably smoothly connect with the substantially central vent opening 610 located above and extending through the outer sealing flange 602 of the duct connector 600.

Referring now to FIG.s 9-11, an isometric view of an exhaust duct connector 900 is shown in FIG. 9, according to an embodiment of the present invention. A cross-sectional side elevation view of the exhaust duct connector 900 along section line C-C is shown in FIG. 10, and a plan view of the exhaust duct connector 900 is shown in FIG. 11, according to embodiments of the invention. Similar to as described above in relation to substantially circular duct connector 600, the substantially semi-elliptical shaped exhaust duct connector 900 shown in the

embodiments illustrated in FIG.s 9-11 comprises an outer sealing flange 902 which extends substantially around the outer perimeter of the connector 900, and is adapted for sealing attachment on top of a substantially planar surface around an exhaust duct vent opening, such as a substantially planar surface of a cabinet, or other enclosure through which an exhaust vent opening extends. However, at the rear of the substantially semi-elliptical duct connector 900, a rear sealing flange section 914 extends out towards the rear of the duct connector 900, such as to provide for additional sealing coverage over a vent opening in a surface, such as a cabinet or enclosure surface, to be covered by the duct connector 900, or to provide additional sealing flange attachment surface as may be desired in certain cabinet and/or enclosure arrangements, for example. Substantially semi-elliptical exhaust duct connector 900 also comprises an exhaust duct seating slot 912 which is recessed into an upper surface of the outer sealing flange 902, which surrounds an outside edge of the exhaust duct seating slot 912. The exhaust duct seating slot 912 comprises outer and inner seating slot walls, which are located at the outer and inner edges of the seating slot 912, respectively, and a central recessed slot opening located between said inner and outer slot walls of the seating slot 912. The seating slot 912 is adapted to receive a section of substantially round exhaust heating duct (not shown) for attachment to the connector 900, where the end of the exhaust duct section fits into the seating slot 912, fitting between the inner and outer walls of the seating slot 912, to provide a secure attachment point for the section of exhaust duct connected to the connector 900. Similar to as in the substantially round duct connector 600 above, in a preferred embodiment, the seating slot 912 of substantially semi- elliptical duct connector 900 may also desirably provide a sealing attachment of the exhaust duct section to the connector 900, with the end of the exhaust duct section sealing against the bottom and/or sides of the seating slot 912.

Similar in arrangement as to configuration and function as is described above in reference to the substantially circular duct connector 600, the substantially semi-elliptical exhaust duct connector 900 also comprises an inner duct support flange 904 extending substantially upward from the seating slot 912 of the exhaust duct connector 900, and located adjacent to the inside edge of the exhaust duct seating slot 912, surrounded by the seating slot 912. The inner duct support flange 904 is also operable to extend upwards inside along the inner wall of a section of exhaust duct to provide support for the exhaust ducting section. In a preferred embodiment, the inner duct support flange 904 may be located immediately adjacent to seating slot 912, such that the inner slot wall of seating slot 912 comprises at least part of the outer wall of the inner duct support flange 904. In another preferred embodiment, the inner duct support flange 904 may also desirably provide for an attachment surface to secure the exhaust ducting section inserted in seating slot 912 to the connector 900, such as by one or more suitable fasteners or other means of attachment, such as one or more screws or other suitable fasteners penetrating through the wall of the exhaust ducting and the inner duct support flange, to securely attach the exhaust ducting section to the connector 900.

The substantially semi-elliptical exhaust duct connector 900 also comprises a

substantially circular central vent opening 910 extending through the duct connector 900, the perimeter of which is defined by the inner wall of the inner duct support flange 904, and which allows passage of exhaust gases through the connector 900 from a vent opening in a cabinet or other enclosure or surface below the connector 900, to a section of exhaust duct attached to the exhaust duct connector 900. In one embodiment, the substantially circular central vent opening 910 of duct connector 900 may desirably be sized to conform to a desired size of substantially circular exhaust ducting section such as a desired standard or commonly used substantially circular or round exhaust ducting section, or round exhaust duct boot, such as for example one or more of standard or commonly used 4", 5", 6", 7", 8" or 10" round exhaust duct or duct boot dimensions, for example. In an alternative embodiment, however, the overall perimeter shape of the duct connector 900 may comprise any suitable shape sized to allow for the desired exhaust ducting or duct boot and corresponding central vent opening 910 to fit within the connector 900, surrounded by the outer sealing flange 902.

In one embodiment, the outer sealing flange 902 of the duct connector 900, or a portion thereof, may comprise one or more different profiles of thickness or height, for example. In one such embodiment, at least a portion of outer sealing flange 902 may comprise a tapered flange profile increasing in thickness extending inwards from the outer perimeter and towards sealing slot 912, for example, while a rear sealing flange portion 914 of outer sealing flange 902 may comprise a substantially constant thickness flange profile, which in one example may be thinner than the rest of the sealing flange 902, for example. Similar to as described above in reference to substantially circular duct connector 600, in a particular embodiment, the outer sealing flange 902 of substantially semi-elliptical duct connector 900 may desirably comprise a sufficiently wide flange extension outward from the seating slot 912 so as to provide for coverage of a potentially irregular, uneven, oversized or otherwise roughly shaped vent opening in the surface (such as a cabinet or enclosure surface for example) underlying the duct connector 900.

Similar to as described above in reference to duct connector 600, in a particular embodiment, sealing flange 902 may be desirably adapted for secure attachment, and preferably secure sealing attachment to a substantially planar surface, and in one such embodiment, sealing flange 902 may comprise one or more fastener openings 916 such as to admit suitable fasteners, such as screws or bolts, for securely fastening the duct connector 900 to a substantially planar underlying surface. In another such embodiment, outer sealing flange 902 may be adapted to accept a seal 918 such as a gasket seal 918, for enhanced sealing attachment to a surface, and in a preferred such embodiment, duct connector 900 may be adapted to work with a gasket seal 918 comprising a suitable seal material, such as a neoprene, rubber, foam, plastic, adhesive, or other suitable seal material, optionally also in conjunction with one or more suitable fasteners such as screws secured in fastener openings 916, to securely and sealingly attach outer sealing flange 902 to an underlying surface such as a cabinet or enclosure surface. In a particular such embodiment, gasket seal 918 may comprise a suitable neoprene, rubber, foam or other suitable seal material, and may further comprise an adhesive material applied to at least one side of gasket 918 such as to provide for adhesive sealing installation against at least one of the duct connector 900 and a cabinet or enclosure surface underlying the gasket seal 918, for example. In one such embodiment, the gasket seal 918 may additionally be provided with a peelable protection strip over at least one adhesive surface thereof, such as to provide for easy installation such as by removing the peelable strip and application of the adhesive gasket seal surface to at least one of the duct connector 900 and a cabinet or enclosure surface underlying the gasket seal 918, for example.

In another preferred embodiment, seal 918 may desirably comprise a gasket seal 918 which comprises a suitable heat and/or fire resistant seal material. In one such embodiment, the heat and/or fire resistant seal material may desirably also be resistant to grease and/or other cooking oils such as may be present in exhaust gases passing through the duct connector 900, for example. In a particular embodiment, the gasket seal 918 may desirably comprise a suitable flame-retardant or self-extinguishing seal material, such as a suitable closed cell polyvinyl chloride (PVC) foam seal material such as a F700 or V700 closed cell PVC foam gasket seal material available from Gaska Tape Inc. of Elkhart, Indiana, USA, for example. In another particular embodiment, the gasket seal 918 may desirably comprise a suitable intumescent fire- resistant seal material, such as a suitable intumescent rubber or neoprene fire stop seal material, such as a SpecSeal™ fire stop seal material available from Specified Technologies Inc. of Somerville, New Jersey, USA, for example.

In yet another embodiment, the gasket seal 918 may also desirably comprise a vibration dampening material, such as a suitable neoprene, rubber, foam or other suitable material which may desirably be compressible between the duct connector 900 and underlying cabinet surface, such as to dampen or reduce vibrations. In one such embodiment, a vibration dampening gasket seal 918 may desirably provide for reducing transmission of vibrations from a ventilation fan or the like to a cabinet and/or duct component members within a cabinet or wall, and may thereby desirably be effective to also reduce ventilation system noise levels associated with vibrations.

Similar to as described above in reference to substantially circular duct connector 600, in one embodiment, the exhaust duct connector 900 may additionally comprise an inner cabinet support flange 906 extending substantially downward from a lower surface of the outer sealing flange 902, which is adapted to fit within a vent opening in a cabinet, enclosure, or other substantially planar surface beneath the duct connector 900, such as to desirably provide support for the duct connector 900, and to optionally allow for attachment of the duct connector 900 within the opening, such as to prevent unwanted flexing or movement or disengagement of the exhaust duct connector 900 or an attached section of exhaust ducting. In one such embodiment, the inner surface of the inner cabinet support flange 906 defines a lower central vent opening 908, which may desirably smoothly connect with the substantially central vent opening 910 located above and extending through the outer sealing flange 902 of the duct connector 900.

Similar to as described above in reference to rectangular duct connector 100, in one embodiment, substantially circular exhaust duct connector 600 and substantially semi-elliptical duct connector 900 may each comprise any suitable known material having sufficient strength and rigidity for forming the above-described structures of the exhaust duct connectors 600 and 900, according to the embodiments described herein. In a particular embodiment, the exhaust duct connectors 600 and 900 may comprise any one or more suitable materials such as but not limited to plastic, polymer, metal, alloy, composite and wood or cellulose-based materials for example.

In a preferred embodiment, the duct connectors 600 and 900 may desirably comprise any suitable heat and/or fire resistant material, such as a heat and/or fire-resistant acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) material. In a further embodiment, the duct connectors 600 and 900 may comprise any suitably strong and rigid intumescent fire-resistant material. In another embodiment, exhaust duct connectors 600 and 900 may desirably comprise a suitably strong and rigid flame-retardant or self-extinguishing resin material, such as a suitable polyphenylene ether/polystyrene resin material such as NORYL™ PX9406 polyphenylene ether/polystyrene resin material available from SABIC Innovative Plastics of Pittsfield, Massachusetts, USA, for example. In a further preferred embodiment, the duct connectors 600 and 900 may desirably comprise any suitable material capable of being molded or formed from a cast or mold, such as by injection, vacuum, compression, casting or other suitable molding technique, such as may be desirable for rapid and/or large scale production, for example. In an alternative embodiment, the duct connectors 600 or 900 may be shaped, milled, machined, or otherwise made from any suitable material, such as those described above.

The exemplary embodiments herein described are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the scope of the invention to the precise forms disclosed. They are chosen and described to explain the principles of the invention and its application and practical use to allow others skilled in the art to comprehend its teachings.

As will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing disclosure, various equivalent alterations and modifications are possible in the practice of this invention without departing from the scope of the disclosure.

Reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment," "an embodiment," or similar language means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic that is described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. Thus, appearances of the phrases "in one embodiment," "in an embodiment," and similar language throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same embodiment. Further, the described features, structures, or characteristics of the present disclosure may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. In this Detailed Description of the Invention, numerous specific details are provided for a thorough understanding of embodiments of the disclosure. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, that the embodiments of the present disclosure can be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, and so forth. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the present disclosure.

The scope of the present disclosure fully encompasses other embodiments and is to be limited, accordingly, by nothing other than the appended claims, wherein any reference to an element being made in the singular is intended to mean "one or more", and is not intended to mean "one and only one" unless explicitly so stated. All structural and functional equivalents to the elements of the above-described preferred embodiment and additional embodiments are hereby expressly incorporated by reference and are intended to be encompassed by the present claims. Moreover, no requirement exists for an apparatus or method to address each and every problem sought to be resolved by the present disclosure, for such to be encompassed by the present claims. Furthermore, no element, component, or method step in the present disclosure is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless of whether the element, component, or method step is explicitly recited in the claims. However, that various changes and modifications in form, material, work-piece, and fabrication material detail may be made, without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure, as set forth in the appended claims, are also

encompassed by the present disclosure.

Claims

What is claimed is: 1. An exhaust duct connector comprising:

an outer sealing flange extending around substantially the outer perimeter of said connector;

an exhaust duct seating slot recessed into an upper surface of said outer sealing flange, wherein said exhaust duct seating slot comprises inner and outer slot walls, and a central recessed slot opening located between said inner and outer slot walls;

an inner duct support flange extending substantially upward from said seating slot; and a substantially central vent opening extending through the connector, said opening defined by an inner surface of said inner duct support flange.

2. The exhaust duct connector according to claim 1 , wherein said outer perimeter of said connector comprises at least one of a rectangular, round, and semi-elliptical shape.

3. The exhaust duct connector according to claim 1, wherein said outer sealing flange of said connector comprises at least one of a rectangular, round, and semi-elliptical shape.

4. The exhaust duct connector according to claim 1 , wherein said central opening of said connector comprises at least one of a rectangular, round, and semi-elliptical shape.

5. The exhaust duct connector according to claim 1, wherein said exhaust duct sealing slot and said inner duct support flange comprise at least one of a rectangular, round and semi- elliptical shape.

6. The exhaust duct connector according to claim 1, additionally comprising an inner cabinet support flange extending substantially downward from a lower surface of said outer sealing flange, and adapted for connection to an opening in a cabinet or other substantially planar surface.

7. The exhaust duct connector according to claim 6, wherein said cabinet support flange comprises an inner surface which defines a lower portion of said substantially central vent opening.

8. The exhaust duct connector according to claim 1, additionally comprising a seal adapted for sealing against at least a portion of said outer sealing flange and operable to seal said outer sealing flange against a substantially planar surface.

9. The exhaust duct connector according to claim 8, wherein said seal comprises a gasket seal having a shape substantially conforming to a shape of said outer sealing flange.

10. The exhaust duct connector according to any one of claims 8 or 9, wherein said gasket seal comprises a substantially central opening having a shape substantially conforming to a shape of said vent opening.

11. The exhaust duct connector according to any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein said seal comprises at least one of: neoprene, rubber, foam and plastic materials.

12. The exhaust duct connector according to any one of claims 8 to 11, wherein said seal comprises at least one of: fire resistant, flame retardant, self extinguishing and intumescent materials.

13. The exhaust duct connector according to any one of claims 8 to 12, wherein said seal comprises a vibration damping material.

14. The exhaust duct connector according to any one of claims 8 to 13, wherein said seal comprises at least one adhesive surface adapted for adhering to at least one of said outer sealing flange and said substantially planar surface.

15. The exhaust duct connector according to claim 1, additionally comprising a plurality of fastener openings extending through said outer sealing flange, and adapted for admitting a plurality of connectors for attachment of said exhaust duct connector on top of a substantially planar surface.

16. The exhaust duct connector according to claim 1, wherein at least a portion of said outer sealing flange decreases in thickness towards an outer perimeter of said outer sealing flange.

17. The exhaust duct connector according to claim 1, wherein at least a portion of said outer sealing flange comprises a substantially uniform thickness extending towards an outer perimeter of said outer sealing flange.

18. The exhaust duct connector according to claim 1 , wherein said inner slot wall comprises at least a portion of an outer surface of said inner duct support flange.

19. The exhaust duct connector according to claim 1 , wherein said connector comprises at least one of: heat resistant, fire resistant, flame retardant and intumescent materials.

20. The exhaust duct connector according to claim 1 , wherein said connector comprises a heat resistant acrylonitrile butadiene styrene or polyphenylene ether/polystyrene material.