Dielectric Exhaust Duct

Abstract

The improved dryer flexible exhaust ducting of the present invention is comprised of a flexible exhaust ducting with a nonconductive, high temperature polymer treated coupling member. The dielectric dryer coupling member prevents the travelling of electrical current from an inadvertently energized dryer chassis to the attached flexible ducting and thus prevents the ducting from overheating or melting from the electrical current or igniting flammable materials nearby or contained within the ducting.

1 . An exhaust system for a clothes dryer comprising
 a dryer exhaust duct connected to a coupling member constructed of a dielectric material; and   a ducting member having a first end connected to said coupling member and a second end connected to an external exhaust duct.   
     
     
         2 . The exhaust system of  claim 1  wherein said dielectric material is a high temperature polymer. 
     
     
         3 . The exhaust system of  claim 1  wherein said coupling member further comprises
 a first sleeve having an inner diameter greater than an outer diameter of said dryer exhaust duct; 
 a second sleeve having an inner diameter smaller than said inner diameter of said first sleeve and 
 an outer diameter smaller than the inner diameter of said ducting member. 
 
     
     
         4 . The exhaust system of  claim 3  wherein said dryer exhaust duct and said first sleeve are tubular. 
     
     
         5 . The exhaust system of  claim 1  wherein said coupling member further comprises an internal shoulder and an external shoulder wherein said dryer exhaust duct abuts said internal shoulder and said first end of said ducting member abuts said external shoulder. 
     
     
         6 . The exhaust system of  claim 3  wherein said first sleeve further comprises an external shoulder. 
     
     
         7 . An exhaust system for a clothes dryer comprising a dryer exhaust duct having a terminal end and a ducting member having a first portion constructed of a dielectric material wherein said first portion is connected to said dryer exhaust duct. 
     
     
         8 . The exhaust system of  claim 7  wherein said first portion further comprises an inner surface that is positioned around said dryer exhaust duct such that said terminal end of said dryer duct is within said first portion. 
     
     
         9 . The exhaust system of  claim 8  wherein said ducting member comprises a second portion constructed of a dielectric material having ridges positioned along the outside surface of said second portion. 
     
     
         10 . The exhaust system of  claim 9  wherein an external shoulder separates said first portion and said second portion. 
     
     
         11 . A coupler for connecting a duct to a dryer exhaust vent comprising a first portion constructed of a dielectric material having an inner diameter greater than an outer diameter of said dryer exhaust duct, an internal shoulder positioned within said first portion having a diameter smaller than said outer diameter of said dryer exhaust duct, and a second portion having an outer diameter smaller than the inner diameter of said duct. 
     
     
         12 . The coupler of  claim 11  wherein said second portion is constructed of a dielectric material. 
     
     
         13 . The coupler of  claim 11  wherein said first portion further comprises an external shoulder having an outer diameter greater than the outer diameter of said duct. 
     
     
         14 . The coupler of  claim 11  wherein said first portion and said second portions are tubular.