US 12,215,885 B2
Externally tensioned pliable air ducts
Cary Pinkalla, Fox Point, WI (US); Jeff Logic, Racine, WI (US); Kevin J. Gebke, Dubuque, IA (US); and Nicholas L. Kaufmann, Sherrill, IA (US)
Assigned to Rite-Hite Holding Corporation, Milwaukee, WI (US)
Filed by Rite-Hite Holding Corporation, Milwaukee, WI (US)
Filed on Aug. 30, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/458,521.
Application 16/278,378 is a division of application No. 15/474,751, filed on Mar. 30, 2017, granted, now 10,208,981, issued on Feb. 19, 2019.
Application 15/474,751 is a division of application No. 14/290,543, filed on May 29, 2014, granted, now 9,644,858, issued on May 9, 2017.
Application 18/458,521 is a continuation of application No. 17/339,517, filed on Jun. 4, 2021, granted, now 11,788,763.
Application 17/339,517 is a continuation of application No. 17/134,988, filed on Dec. 28, 2020, granted, now 11,543,149, issued on Jan. 3, 2023.
Application 17/134,988 is a continuation of application No. 16/278,378, filed on Feb. 18, 2019, granted, now 10,876,758, issued on Dec. 29, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2023/0408135 A1, Dec. 21, 2023
Int. Cl. F16L 3/00 (2006.01); F24F 13/02 (2006.01)
CPC F24F 13/0218 (2013.01) [F24F 13/0254 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An air duct assembly comprising:
an air duct including a tubular sidewall that is pliable, the tubular sidewall defining an interior of the air duct, the air duct elongate in a longitudinal direction;
a hoop disposable within the interior of the air duct, the hoop providing the sidewall with support in a radial direction that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction; and
a cable disposable within the interior of the air duct, the cable to extend along a longitudinal length of the air duct, the cable to engage the hoop to help support a weight of the hoop and the tubular sidewall.