US Patent 7240930 Quick-connect/quick-disconnect conduit connectors

Connector for connecting a pair of tubular components together, such as a pair of exhaust conduits of a dryer or an exhaust conduit of a dryer to a dryer vent or wall-mounted vent sleeve, including a pair of generally semi-cylindrical members each having a first, coupled edge and a second, free edge and rotatably connected together at the coupled edge, e.g., by a hinge, and separable from one another at the free edge. A quick connect/quick disconnect locking structure is arranged in connection with the semi-cylindrical members for locking them to one another with the free edges opposite one another.