Access port

Abstract

An apparatus for use with residential, commercial and industrial HVACR air duct systems and equipment, providing a means to quickly, easily and accurately measure and/or test air properties within functioning HVACR systems without having to drill a hole into the duct or equipment wall(s) each time the unit is serviced. The apparatus generally includes a mounting flange for attachment to an air duct or other equipment of an HVACR system and an access port including an opening for insertion of a probe therethrough for taking measurements; a cap is also typically included for sealing the access port during periods of non-use. The opening of the access port is centered and placed over a small hole created by a service technician in the wall of the air duct.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for use with HVACR air duct systems, the apparatus comprising:
 a) a mounting flange for attachment to an air duct or other equipment of an HVACR system; and   b) an access port including an opening for insertion of a probe therethrough, wherein the mounting flange is attached to the air duct so that the opening provides access through a hole in the wall of the air duct.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the opening includes a cross-hatched cutout for insertion of the probe therethrough. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the mounting flange includes a step up flange for providing structural support to the access port. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a cap for sealing the access port. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the access port further includes a circular wall forming a shaft around the opening, and wherein the circular wall sealingly fits with the cap. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , the cap further including a plug for sealing the shaft created by the circular wall. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the cap includes a connecting strip attaching the cap to the mounting flange, thereby allowing the cap to be removed from the access port while remaining attached to the apparatus. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the apparatus is manufactured as a single unit. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the apparatus is manufactured in multiple connecting pieces. 
     
     
         10 . An apparatus for use with HVACR air duct systems, the apparatus comprising:
 a) a mounting flange for attachment to an air duct or other equipment of an HVACR system;   c) an access port including an opening for insertion of a probe therethrough; and   b) a cap for sealing the access port, wherein the mounting flange is attached to the air duct so that the opening provides access through a hole in the wall of the air duct.   
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the opening includes a cross-hatched cutout for insertion of the probe therethrough. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the mounting flange includes a step up flange for providing structural support to the access port. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the access port further includes a circular wall forming a shaft around the opening, wherein the circular wall sealingly fits with the cap. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , the cap further including a plug for sealing the shaft created by the circular wall. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the cap includes a connecting strip attaching the cap to the mounting flange, thereby allowing the cap to be removed from the access port while remaining attached to the apparatus. 
     
     
         16 . An apparatus for use with HVACR air duct systems, the apparatus comprising:
 a) a mounting flange for attachment to an air duct or other equipment of an HVACR system;   b) an access port including an opening for insertion of a probe therethrough, wherein the mounting flange is attached to the air duct so that the opening provides access through a hole in the wall of the air duct; and   c) a cap for sealing the access port, wherein the access port further includes a circular wall that forms a shaft around the opening and which can sealingly fit with the cap, and wherein the cap includes a connecting strip attaching the cap to the mounting flange, thereby allowing the cap to be removed from the access port while remaining attached to the apparatus.   
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , the cap further including a plug for sealing the shaft created by the circular wall. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , the mounting flange comprising a step up flange for providing structural support to the access port. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the apparatus is manufactured as a single unit. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the apparatus is manufactured in multiple connecting pieces.