Abstract: The apparatus for joining and sealing conduits, includes edge trim, a sleeve, and a retaining element. The edge trim is shaped to mount upon and engage an end of a conduit. The sleeve extends between the conduits and at least partially surrounds the edge trim. The sleeve may be made of compressible material, such that when the retaining element surrounds a portion of the sleeve and the edge trim, the retaining element generally compresses the portion of the sleeve portion underlying the retaining element and displaces the sleeve material to expand on either side of the retaining element and limit movement of the retaining element. The method of joining and sealing conduits includes mounting the edge trim and a retaining element upon an end of a conduit, extending a sleeve between the conduits, and sliding the retaining element over the sleeve toward the end of the conduit.

Abstract: The apparatus for joining and sealing conduits, includes edge trim, a sleeve, and a retaining element. The edge trim is shaped to mount upon and engage an end of a conduit. The sleeve extends between the conduits and at least partially surrounds the edge trim. The sleeve may be made of compressible material, such that when the retaining element surrounds a portion of the sleeve and the edge trim, the retaining element generally compresses the portion of the sleeve portion underlying the retaining element and displaces the sleeve material to expand on either side of the retaining element and limit movement of the retaining element. The method of joining and sealing conduits includes mounting the edge trim and a retaining element upon an end of a conduit, extending a sleeve between the conduits, and sliding the retaining element over the sleeve toward the end of the conduit.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a new and improved flexible hose assembly for transmitting pressurized air, gases and/or fluids between two spaced apart components. The hose assembly includes an inner liner surrounded by a helix formed of thermoplastic material having a substantially flat surface portion for bonding with the inner liner, eliminating the need for a outer cord to prevent the helix from floating relative to the liner. A self-adjusting retainer ring serves to compress the flexible hose onto the beaded end portion of a component with increasing pressure as the pressure increases within the hose assembly. Preferably the retainer ring is formed from a single piece of thermoplastic material.

Abstract: A pressure-molded article having integral attachment points is achieved by providing, during the molding process, a fastener having a base surface portion, a side surface portion, and an internal passage defining an air path from the base surface portion to the side surface portion. The fastener's base surface portion is positioned on a molding surface of a pressure-molding tool such that the passage is placed in fluid communication with a hole in the molding surface. A formable material, such as a sheet of thermoplastic material heated to a formable state, is positioned adjacent to both the molding surface and the fastener. The sheet is pressure-formed onto the molding surface while preferably evacuating the hole in the molding surface, such that air disposed between the sheet and the molding surface adjacent to the side surface portion of the fastener is drawn into the passage and down into the hole, with the sheet partially flowing into the passage to mechanically capture the fastener within the sheet.

Abstract: A smoke detector which includes a cover that is attached to a housing base by a mechanical latch. The housing contains a fan that induces an airflow through the housing, a smoke detector that can detect smoke in the airstream, and a flow sensor that can measure the flowrate created by the fan. The flow sensor and fan can be captured by plates that slide into inner walls of the housing and are secured by the cover. The cover also has a latch for securing a grill to the smoke detector housing.

Abstract: A fully formed, single piece cable hanger that includes a tube section having a flange at one end of the cylindrical tube section, a plurality of radially extending retaining bumps disposed about the periphery of the tube section at a first predetermined axial distance from the flange, and a plurality of apertures formed in the tube section at a second predetermined axial distance from the flange, the second predetermined axial distance being greater than the first predetermined axial distance.