Electricity: conductors and insulators – With fluids or vacuum – Conduit or cable joints
Reexamination Certificate
1999-02-23
2001-10-09
Kincaid, Kristine (Department: 2831)
Electricity: conductors and insulators
With fluids or vacuum
Conduit or cable joints
C285S127100
Reexamination Certificate
active
06300560
ABSTRACT:
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates in general to a connector for joining two or more conduit sections and, more particularly, to a connector for conduits housing cables, electrical wires and the like.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Wiring, such as electrical wiring, telephone lines and cable systems, is often housed within extensive conduit systems which protect the wiring from environmental conditions and the like. The systems typically include several junctions or intersections which occur when the conduit line changes direction or when a single conduit branches into two or more conduits. A special conduit is provided at these junctions, for example an “LB Conduit” is often used where the conduit line changes directions. During installation of the system, the conduit line is laid until the intersection is reached. At that point, the appropriate intersection piece is selected and attached to the exposed end of the conduit line. The next section of the conduit line is then attached to the other end of the intersection piece. Typically, the ends of the conduit sections are threaded and the intersection piece is attached to the conduit sections by screwing the conduit sections and intersection piece together. The wiring is threaded through the conduit sections and intersection piece.
The intersection pieces are often subject to stresses which cause the piece to fracture, break, or become damaged, requiring replacement of the intersection piece. The damaged intersection piece is removed by breaking the part into pieces. The exposed wiring must then cut so that the wires may be individually threaded through the opposite ends of the replacement part. One end of the replacement part is screwed onto one of the conduit sections in the same manner as the initial installation of the conduit line. Since the conduit sections of the installed line are essentially fixed in place, the opposite end of the replacement part may not be screwed onto the next section of the line. Instead, a separate fitting is required between the replacement part and the conduit section. Once the replacement part is installed, the cut sections of wiring must be coupled together. Problems often occur if the wiring is taut since some slack is required to reconnect the wiring. Moreover, cutting the wiring interrupts the services provided by the wiring, for example electricity, telephone or cable service. This lengthy interruption is highly inconvenient to the end user and, in some instances, may even be unacceptable.
A conduit connector which is easy to install and replace is desirable. Similarly, a conduit connector which may be installed without severing the wiring housed by the old conduit connector is desirable.
OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is a primary object of the present invention to provide a conduit connector for coupling two or more conduits together is desirable.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a conduit connector which may be easily installed in both new installations and as a replacement part in an existing installation.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a conduit connector which may be installed around existing wiring to avoid cutting the wiring and disrupting service.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a conduit connector which may be directly mounted to each of the conduit sections without the use of supplemental fittings.
A more general object of the present invention is to provide a conduit connector for protecting the wiring housed in the conduit connector, and to provide a conduit connector which may be economically manufactured.
In summary, the present invention provides a conduit connector for coupling together a plurality of conduit sections. The conduit sections are part of a conduit installation which provides a protective housing for wiring, for example telephone, cable or electrical wiring. The conduit connector includes a conduit body having a pair of inlets. The inlets are shaped to receive the exposed ends of the conduit sections. The conduit body also includes an interior cavity between the first and second inlets for housing the wiring which extends across the gap separating the conduits. The conduit body is split longitudinally between the first inlet and the second inlet into a front member and a back member. The conduit connector also includes a locking system which secures the front and back members together when the conduit body is assembled around the exposed wiring and the ends of the first and second conduit sections.
The invention also provides a method of installing a conduit connector in a pre-installed conduit system. The conduit system includes a first conduit section having a first exposed end and a second conduit section having a second exposed end spaced from the first conduit section. The wiring extending through the conduit sections is exposed in the gap between the ends of the conduit sections. The method includes providing a pair of connector sections, one having spaced apart first arcuate stretches and the other having spaced apart second arcuate stretches. The first and second arcuate stretches are each shaped and positioned to engage the exterior of the ends of one of the conduit sections. The method also includes positioning the first connector section on one side of the wiring with each of the first arcuate stretches disposed against one of the exposed ends and positioning the second connector section on the opposite side of the wiring with each of the second arcuate stretches each disposed against the other exposed end on the opposite side thereof. After the positioning steps, the method includes fastening the connector sections together.
Additional objects and features of the invention will be more readily apparent from the following detailed description and appended claims when taken in conjunction with the drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2050728 (1936-08-01), Ost
patent: 4018979 (1977-04-01), Young
patent: 4633913 (1987-01-01), Carty et al.
patent: 4730855 (1988-03-01), Pelletier
patent: 5016924 (1991-05-01), Lin
patent: 5302780 (1994-04-01), Alfing
patent: 5654526 (1997-08-01), Sharp
Flehr Hohbach Test Albritton & Herbert LLP
Kincaid Kristine
Nguyen Chau N.
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