Retaining feature for corrugated acoustic duct
First Claim
1. A retaining feature for connecting a plastic tube to a corrugated acoustic duct commonly used in an automobile, the corrugated duct having a series of undulations defined by a set of ridges and grooves extending helically around the duct, the retaining feature comprising:
- a plurality of barbs extending circumferentially around the exterior surface of the plastic tube along a helical path, each barb sized and structured to engage an undulation of the corrugated duct;
each barb having a thickness greater than or equal to an average width of a ridge; and
all of the barbs aligned along the helical path, the helical path spanning less than or equal to 360 degrees around the tube.
13 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A retaining feature is provided for connecting a plastic tube to a corrugated acoustic duct. The retaining feature accommodates variations in the undulations and thread pattern of the corrugated duct, while at the same time minimizing the materials, specialized equipment or tools, labor and cost of making a successful connection. The retaining feature includes at least one barb extending circumferentially around the exterior surface of the plastic tube. Each barb is sized and structured to engage an undulation of the corrugated duct.
33 Citations
27 Claims
-
1. A retaining feature for connecting a plastic tube to a corrugated acoustic duct commonly used in an automobile, the corrugated duct having a series of undulations defined by a set of ridges and grooves extending helically around the duct, the retaining feature comprising:
-
a plurality of barbs extending circumferentially around the exterior surface of the plastic tube along a helical path, each barb sized and structured to engage an undulation of the corrugated duct; each barb having a thickness greater than or equal to an average width of a ridge; and all of the barbs aligned along the helical path, the helical path spanning less than or equal to 360 degrees around the tube. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
-
-
9. A retaining feature for connecting a plastic tube to a corrugated acoustic duct commonly used in an automobile, the corrugated duct having a series of undulations defined by a set of ridges and grooves extending helically around the duct, the retaining feature comprising:
-
four barbs extending around the exterior surface of the plastic tube along a helical path, each barb sized and structured to engage an undulation of the corrugated duct; each barb including a leading edge and a trailing edge defined by the relative rotation of the tube and corrugated duct during assembly, the trailing edge oriented at an angle of about 90 degrees to hamper disassembly of the tube and corrugated duct, the leading edge being oriented at an angle less than or equal to 45 degrees to facilitate assembly of the tube and corrugated duct, the four barbs aligned along the helical path and, in combination, spanning no more than about one revolution around the plastic tube. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
-
-
16. A retaining feature for connecting a plastic tube to a corrugated acoustic duct commonly used in an automobile, the corrugated duct having a series of undulations defined by a set of ridges and grooves extending helically around the duct, the retaining feature comprising:
-
a first barb extending along a helical path around the exterior surface of the plastic tube; a second barb extending along the helical path around the exterior surface of the plastic tube; the first and second barb sized and structured to engage an undulation of the corrugated duct; and all of the barbs being aligned along the helical path that spans less than or equal to one revolution around the plastic tube. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
-
Specification