Thermal break and panel joint for an air handling enclosure
First Claim
1. An enclosure for HVAC equipment, wherein the enclosure has a tongue-and-groove joint the enclosure comprising:
- a first outer panel;
an outer groove flange;
an outer groove edge extending between the first outer panel and the outer groove flange;
a first inner panel;
an inner groove flange;
an inner groove edge extending between the first inner panel and the inner groove flange;
a first strip of tape joining the outer groove flange and the inner groove flange such that the outer groove flange and the inner groove flange define a groove therebetween;
a second outer panel;
an outer tongue flange;
an outer tongue edge extending between the second outer panel and the outer tongue flange;
a second inner panel;
an inner tongue flange;
an inner tongue edge extending between the second inner panel and the inner tongue flange; and
a second strip of tape joining the outer tongue flange and the inner tongue flange to provide a tongue that is disposed within the groove.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An HVAC air handling enclosure is comprised of individual panel assemblies each of which are fabricated from two panels or skins that are held together by double-sided adhesive tape. Adjacent panel assemblies are connected by a metal tongue-and-groove joint that relies on that same tape as a thermal break at the joint. After assembly, the thermal break and the tongue and groove elements of the joint are completely hidden from view. Moreover, the joint includes an internal cavity that can take up surplus sealant that may ooze out from within the tongue-and-groove joint during assembly, whereby the surplus sealant also remains hidden.
67 Citations
14 Claims
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1. An enclosure for HVAC equipment, wherein the enclosure has a tongue-and-groove joint the enclosure comprising:
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a first outer panel; an outer groove flange; an outer groove edge extending between the first outer panel and the outer groove flange; a first inner panel; an inner groove flange; an inner groove edge extending between the first inner panel and the inner groove flange; a first strip of tape joining the outer groove flange and the inner groove flange such that the outer groove flange and the inner groove flange define a groove therebetween; a second outer panel; an outer tongue flange; an outer tongue edge extending between the second outer panel and the outer tongue flange; a second inner panel; an inner tongue flange; an inner tongue edge extending between the second inner panel and the inner tongue flange; and a second strip of tape joining the outer tongue flange and the inner tongue flange to provide a tongue that is disposed within the groove. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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Specification