Transparent vent conduit having integral coupling

Abstract

A transparent venting conduit for attaching to a conventional dryer to enable the venting conduit of the dryer to be visually inspected without having to be removed. The transparent venting conduit comprises an elongated tube body defining an elongated hollow member constructed of heat resistant plastic material and having a proximal end as well as an integral coupling for attaching the proximal end of the tube body with a target exhaust vent. In one embodiment, the coupling defines an integrated strap operative to encircle the tube body and tighten it around the exhaust vent. In an alternate embodiment, the coupling defines a rigid tubular member having an exterior perimeter surface defined by a central ridge that is disposed between two tapering ends. In yet another embodiment, the coupling defines a discrete rivet attachable to an aperture integral with the tube body and exhaust vent.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A transparent venting conduit attachable to a dryer exhaust vent, comprising:
 an elongated tube body having a proximal end and constructed of a transparent heat resistant material; and   an integral coupling adapted to frictionally secure the proximal end of the tube body to a dryer exhaust vent.   
     
     
         2 . The transparent venting conduit of  claim 1 , wherein said integral coupling includes a central area and two distinctly sized opposing end sections. 
     
     
         3 . The transparent venting conduit of  claim 2 , wherein said integral coupling defines a rigid tubular member having an exterior surface. 
     
     
         4 . The transparent venting conduit of  claim 3 , wherein the diameter of the integral coupling is greater in the central area than at the opposing end sections. 
     
     
         5 . The transparent venting conduit of  claim 4 , wherein the exterior surface of said integral coupling includes at least one tapered section between the central area and each of the opposing end sections. 
     
     
         6 . The transparent venting conduit of  claim 3 , wherein said integral coupling includes a central ridge disposed on the central area. 
     
     
         7 . The transparent venting conduit of  claim 1 , wherein said integral coupling defines an strap member configured to be wrapped around the tube body adjacent to the proximal end, thereby exerting narrowing pressure on the tube body. 
     
     
         8 . The transparent venting conduit of  claim 7 , wherein said strap member includes a peg and at least one corresponding peg notch, thereby configuring the strap member to be fixed in place at a selected tightness around the tube body. 
     
     
         9 . A transparent venting conduit attachable to a dryer exhaust vent, comprising:
 an elongated tube body having a proximal end and constructed of a transparent heat resistant material;   an integral coupling having a central area and opposing end sections, wherein the diameter of the integral coupling is greater in the central area than at least one of the opposing end sections   said integral coupling suitable to connect at one end section to a dryer exhaust vent and at the other to the proximal end of the tube body.   
     
     
         10 . The transparent venting conduit of  claim 9 , wherein said integral coupling defines a rigid tubular member having an exterior surface. 
     
     
         11 . The transparent venting conduit of  claim 10 , wherein the exterior surface of said integral coupling includes at least one tapered section between the central area and each of the opposing end sections. 
     
     
         12 . The transparent venting conduit of  claim 9 , wherein said integral coupling includes a central ridge disposed on the central area. 
     
     
         13 . The transparent venting conduit of  claim 9 , wherein the said opposing end sections are mirror images of one another. 
     
     
         14 . A transparent venting conduit attachable to a dryer exhaust vent, comprising:
 an elongated tube body having a proximal end and constructed of a transparent heat resistant material; and   an integral coupling defining an strap member having a first end and a second end and configured to be wrapped around the tube body adjacent to the proximal end, thereby exerting narrowing pressure on the tube body, wherein at least a portion of said strap member is attached to the tube body between the first end and second end.   
     
     
         15 . The transparent venting conduit of  claim 14 , wherein said strap member includes a peg and at least one corresponding peg notch, thereby configuring the strap member to be fixed in place at a selected tightness around the tube body. 
     
     
         16 . The transparent venting conduit of  claim 15 , wherein said strap peg is disposed on the first end and the at least one corresponding peg notch is disposed on the second end. 
     
     
         17 . The transparent venting conduit of  claim 15 , wherein said strap member includes a plurality of peg notches.