Adjustable duct mechanism for heating equipment

Abstract

An adjustable duct connector includes a base plate, a ring arm slidably coupled to the base plate, and a handle rotatably coupled to the base plate and the ring arm. Rotation of the handle selectively transitions the ring arm between a first position proximate the handle and a second position arranged further from the handle.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An adjustable duct connector, comprising:
 a base plate;   a plurality of ring arms movably coupled to the base plate; and   a handle rotatably coupled to the base plate and to each of the plurality of ring arms through a linkage so that rotation of the handle displaces each of the plurality of ring arms between retracted position and an extended position.   
     
     
         2 . The adjustable duct connector of  claim 1 , further comprising a locking mechanism configured to lock the plurality of ring arms in the retracted position and the extended position. 
     
     
         3 . The adjustable duct connector of  claim 2 , wherein the locking mechanism is coupled to the handle, the locking mechanism comprising a locking pin biased to engage locking apertures in the base plate to selectively lock the plurality of ring arms in the retracted position and the extended position. 
     
     
         4 . The adjustable duct connector of  claim 1 , where an outer periphery of the plurality of ring arms defines a first diameter in the retracted position, and the outer periphery of the plurality of ring arms defines a second diameter in the extended position, wherein the second diameter is greater than the first diameter. 
     
     
         5 . The adjustable duct connector of  claim 1 , wherein the base plate includes a center portion and a plurality of plate arms extending radially outwardly from the center portion, and wherein each of the plurality of ring arms is movably coupled to a respective one of the plurality of plate arms. 
     
     
         6 . The adjustable duct connector of  claim 5 , wherein each of the plurality of plate arms includes a slot extending along at least a portion thereof. 
     
     
         7 . The adjustable duct connector of  claim 6 , wherein each of the plurality of ring arms is movably coupled to the respective one of the plurality of plate arms via a link fastener extending through the slot. 
     
     
         8 . The adjustable duct connector of  claim 1 , wherein an outer periphery of each of the plurality of ring arms defines at least a section of a circular shape in the retracted position and in the extended position. 
     
     
         9 . The adjustable duct connector of  claim 1 , wherein the base plate further comprises one or more tabs configured to support the ring arms in the retracted position. 
     
     
         10 . An air heater, comprising:
 an air inlet;   an air outlet;   a heating device configured to heat air flowing between the air inlet and the air outlet; and   an adjustable duct connector coupled to at least one of the air inlet or the air outlet, the adjustable duct connector comprising:
 a base plate; 
 a ring arm slidably coupled to the base plate; 
 a handle rotatably coupled to the base plate and the ring arm, wherein rotation of the handle selectively transitions the ring arm between a first position proximate the handle and a second position arranged further from the handle; and 
 a locking mechanism configured to secure the ring arm in the first position or the second position. 
   
     
     
         11 . The air heater of  claim 10 , wherein an outermost portion of the ring arm in the first position defines a first distance, and wherein the outermost portion of the ring arm in the second position defines a second distance, and wherein the second distance is greater than in the first distance. 
     
     
         12 . The air heater of  claim 11 , wherein the first distance is a first diameter and the second distance is a second diameter. 
     
     
         13 . The air heater of  claim 10 , wherein the ring arm is coupled to the handle through at least one linkage. 
     
     
         14 . The air heater of  claim 10 , wherein the base plate further comprises one or more tabs configured to support the ring arm in the first position. 
     
     
         15 . The air heater of  claim 10 , wherein the locking mechanism is coupled to the handle, the locking mechanism comprising a pin that is biased to selectively engage locking apertures in the base plate to secure the ring arm in the first position and the second position. 
     
     
         16 . The air heater of  claim 10 , wherein an outer periphery of the ring arm and defines at least a section of a circular shape in the first position. 
     
     
         17 . The air heater of  claim 10 , wherein the ring arm comprises a plurality of ring arms arranged circumferentially around the adjustable duct connector, wherein rotation of the handle selectively transitions each of the plurality of ring arms between the first position and the second position. 
     
     
         18 . An air heater, comprising:
 an air inlet;   an air outlet;   a heating device configured to heat air flowing between the air inlet and the air outlet; and   an adjustable duct connector fixedly coupled to at least one of the air inlet or the air outlet, the adjustable duct connector comprising:
 a base plate including a center portion and a plurality of plate arms extending radially outwardly from the center portion; 
 a plurality of ring arms, each being movably coupled to a respective one of the plurality of plate arms; and 
 a handle rotatably coupled to the center portion and each of the plurality of ring arms, so that each of the plurality of ring arms translates along the respective one of the plurality of plate arms, in response to selective rotation of the handle, between a first position where an outer periphery of the plurality of ring arms defines a first diameter and a second position where the outer periphery of the plurality of ring arms defines a second diameter, wherein the second diameter is greater than the first diameter. 
   
     
     
         19 . The air heater of  claim 18 , wherein each of the plurality of ring arms is coupled to the handle through at least one linkage. 
     
     
         20 . The air heater of  claim 18 , the adjustable duct connector further includes a locking mechanism configured to secure the plurality of ring arms in the first position and the second position, wherein the locking mechanism includes a pin that is biased to selectively engage locking apertures in the base plate to secure the plurality of ring arms in the first position and the second position.