U.S. patent application number 11/009900 was filed with the patent office on 2005-05-19 for electrical connection assembly with unitary sealing and compression ring.
Invention is credited to Auray, Delbert, Kiely, Kenneth M..
Application Number | 20050104372 11/009900 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34135972 |
Filed Date | 2005-05-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050104372 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Auray, Delbert ; et
al. |
May 19, 2005 |
Electrical connection assembly with unitary sealing and compression
ring
Abstract
An electrical connection assembly for securing electrical metal
conduit to a junction box or the like, having a connection body
with an inlet end portion for receiving a conduit wherein the inlet
end includes a first portion sized to snugly receive an end portion
of a conduit and a second portion having an internal surface that
diverges outwardly toward the opening of the inlet end portion. A
unitary sealing and compression ring is fitted onto the end portion
of a conduit, and is positioned thereon so that the sealing ring
portion of the unitary ring is received within the inlet end
portion. A fastening nut secures the conduit to the inlet portion
by causing the sealing ring portion to form a water or fluid tight
seal between the connector body and the associated conduit and
forming a mechanically sound connection between the connector body
and the conduit. The unitary sealing and compression ring formed of
metal insures positive electrical grounding of the assembled
connection.
Inventors: |
Auray, Delbert; (Southport,
CT) ; Kiely, Kenneth M.; (Milford, CT) |
Correspondence
Address: |
PAUL A. FATTIBENE
FATTIBENE & FATTIBENE
2480 POST ROAD
SOUTHPORT
CT
06890
US
|
Family ID: |
34135972 |
Appl. No.: |
11/009900 |
Filed: |
December 10, 2004 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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11009900 |
Dec 10, 2004 |
|
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10639906 |
Aug 13, 2003 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
285/139.1 ;
285/382.7 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F16L 19/063 20130101;
F16L 19/065 20130101; H02G 15/04 20130101; F16L 19/075 20130101;
F16L 19/10 20130101; H02G 3/0675 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
285/139.1 ;
285/382.7 |
International
Class: |
F16L 041/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An electrical connection for connecting a conduit thereto
comprising: a connector body having an inlet end and an outlet end,
a bore extending through said connector body from said inlet end to
said outlet end to form opposed inlet and outlet openings, said
bore extending through said inlet end having a first inner portion
and a second outer portion, said first inner portion having a
diameter less than the diameter of said second outer portion, said
first inner portion having an internal surface sized and shaped to
snugly receive an end portion of a conduit, and said second outer
portion having an axial length forming an internal surface that
tapers progressively outwardly toward said inlet opening, a unitary
sealing and compression metallic ring being adapted to be fitted
onto an end portion of a conduit, said unitary sealing and
compression metallic ring including a sealing ring portion having
an external outwardly tapering, smooth surface having an axial
length for extending into said second portion of said bore whereby
said external tapering surface of said sealing ring portion
complements said internal taper of said second outer portion, a
radially outwardly shoulder circumscribing said metallic ring
intermediate the width of said metallic ring, a compression ring
portion having a smooth inclined camming outer surface that
converges toward the axis of said unitary ring, said inclined
camming outer surface sloping from the outer periphery of said
shoulder toward the inlet opening of said metallic ring whereby the
outer surface of said compression ring portion is threadless, and a
fastening nut having a complementary cam surface arranged to engage
said inclined camming outer surface of said compression ring
portion, said fastening nut being adapted to be fitted onto an end
portion of a conduit for securing the end portion of a metallic
conduit to said inlet end and whereby said sealing ring portion is
urged in sealing relationship with said second outer portion of
said inlet end as said compression ring portion is compressed onto
the end portion of a conduit, adapted to be received in said inlet
end, as said fastening nut is threaded onto said inlet end, and
said unitary combined sealing and compression ring including a
smooth cylindrical inner surface extending therethrough, and
wherein said unitary metallic ring is formed of brass.
2. A unitary metallic sealing and compression ring for sealing and
securing an electrical conduit to a connecting body comprising a
unitary member forming a closed circular ring having a radially
outwardly circumscribing shoulder intermediate the axial length
thereof to define a sealing ring portion adapted to be received
within an inlet end of a connector body and a compression ring
portion, said sealing ring portion having inner and outer surfaces,
said inner and outer surfaces being smooth and free of any threads,
and said inner surface being adapted to be snugly fitted onto an
electrical conduit and said outer surface having a smooth and
threadless taper that slopes radially outwardly from one end of
said sealing ring portion toward said intermediate shoulder of said
unitary sealing and compression ring, said taper being adapted to
complement an internal surface of a connector body inlet end, and
said compression ring portion having a smooth inner peripheral
surface and a smooth and threadless outer peripheral surface, said
outer peripheral surface being shaped so as to slope downwardly
from said shoulder toward the other end of said unitary sealing and
compression ring, and said inner peripheral surface of said
compression ring portion forming an extension of said inner surface
of said sealing ring portion, wherein the angle of taper of the
outer periphery of said compression ring portion is greater than
the angle of taper of said outer surface of said sealing ring
portion.
3. An electrical coupling assembly for connecting electrical
conduits in an end to end relationship comprising: a coupling body
having opposed end portions, a bore extending through said opposed
end portions, each of said end portions having an a distal inner
surface portion and a proximal inner surface portion, each of said
distal inner surface portions having an internal peripheral surface
sized and shaped to snugly receive an electrical conduit, and each
of said proximal inner surface portions of said end portions having
an internal peripheral surface that gradually diverges radially
outwardly, a unitary sealing and compression ring forming a closed
ring having an inlet opening and an outlet opening adapted to be
snugly received on the end of each conduit to be connected to said
coupling body, each of said sealing and compression rings including
a sealing ring portion and a compression ring portion, a radially
outwardly extending circumscribing shoulder defining said sealing
ring portion from said compression ring portion, said sealing ring
portion having a smooth, tapering outer peripheral surface that
complements the internal surface of said proximal inner surface
portion of said end portions, said compressing ring portion having
a circumscribing, smooth, threadless surface that slopes radially
inwardly from said shoulder toward said outlet opening, and a
fastening nut having an opening sized to be fitted onto the end of
an electrical conduit to be connected to said end portion, and said
fastening nut having a cam surface adjacent said nut opening for
engaging the external sloping, threadless surface of said
compression ring portion as said fastening nut is being tightened
onto said inlet end portion for simultaneously effecting a fluid
tight seal and a secured compressive connection with an electrical
conduit, wherein said coupling body is formed of metal, and
including an electric metal conduit for connection thereto, said
unitary sealing and compression ring being formed of metal, whereby
said compression ring portion effects a positive electric grounding
of said electrical metal conduit in the assembled position.
4. An electrical connector assembly comprising: a connector body
having an inlet end and an outlet end, said inlet end being
externally threaded, a bore extending through said inlet end and
outlet end to form opposed inlet and outlet openings, said bore
extending through said inlet end having a first inner portion and a
second outer portion, each of which extending over an axial length
of said inlet end, said second outer portion having an internal
surface that progressively diverges toward said inlet opening
wherein the internal minimum diameter of said second outer portion
is greater than the internal diameter of said first inner portion,
a unitary sealing and compressing metallic ring adapted to be
fitted onto an end portion of an electrical conduit, said metallic
ring including a sealing ring portion and a connected compression
ring portion, said sealing ring portion having an external,
threadless, progressively outwardly tapering surface having an
axial length for complementing said internal diverging surface of
said second outer portion, a radially outwardly extending shoulder
circumscribing said metallic ring intermediate the axial length
thereof for delineating the sealing ring portions from said
compression ring portions of said metallic ring, said compression
ring portion having a smooth and threadless outer surface that
converges toward the axis of said metallic ring, said outer surface
of said compression ring portion converging from said shoulder
toward the axis of said metallic ring whereby the slope of said
outer surface of said compression ring portion is greater than the
external taper of said sealing ring portion, and a fastening nut
adapted to be fitted onto the end of a conduit, said fastening nut
having a complementary cam surface arranged to engage the camming
outer surface of said compression ring portion whereby said sealing
ring portion is urged into sealing relationship with said second
portion of said inlet end as said compression ring portion is
compressed onto the end portion of a conduit, as said fastening nut
is threaded onto said inlet end.
Description
RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a continuation application of
application Ser. No. 10/639,906 filed Aug. 13, 2003 for Electrical
Connection Assembly With Unitary Sealing And Compression Ring.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention is directed to a connection assembly, and
more specifically to a connector or coupling assembly having a
unitary sealing and compression ring to effect a positively
secured, sealed and electrically grounded connection.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Heretofore it was common practice to secure an electric
metal conduit that shields electrical conductors, wires or cables
by inserting one end of a conduit into an externally threaded inlet
end of a connecting body and securing the conduit to the threaded
inlet end of the connecting body by a suitable tightening nut. The
outlet end of the connecting body in turn was secured to an
electrical junction box by inserting the other or outlet end of the
connecting body into the knockout hole of the electrical junction
box and securing the same by a locking nut or other suitable means,
e.g. a snap fit retaining means as disclosed in a co-pending U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 10/283,978 filed Oct. 30, 2002, which
is incorporated herein by reference. It has been noted that such
prior known connecting assemblies did not prohibit rain or water
from seeking its way through the connection. Also, electrical
grounding of conduits was not at all times positive.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] An object of this invention is to provide an improved
coupling or connector assembly which is capable of prohibiting
water or rain from seeping through the coupling or connector
assembly.
[0005] Another object is to provide an improved coupling or
connector assembly capable of effecting a positive electrical
grounding of a conduit connected thereto.
[0006] Another object is to provide an improved electrical coupling
or connector assembly that is relatively simple to fabricate, easy
to assemble and positive in operation.
[0007] Another object is to provide an electrical connection
assembly having a unitary or integrally formed sealing and
compression ring adapted to be snugly fitted onto an end portion of
a conduit that will effectively secure, seal and electrically
ground the conduit upon assembly of the connection assembly.
[0008] The foregoing objects and other features and advantages are
readily obtained by a connector or coupling assembly that includes
a connector or coupling body provided with an inlet end having an
opening adapted to receive a conduit, and an outlet having an
opening through which the electrical conductors, wires, or cables
adapted to be inserted through the conduit may extend. The external
surface of the inlet end is threaded to receive a connecting nut
for securing the conduit to the inlet end. The connector or
coupling body is provided with a through bore having a shoulder
formed intermediate the length thereof to define a stop to limit
the distance a conduit may be inserted thereinto. The internal
surface of the inlet end of the connector or coupling body may be
optionally provided with a second ridge or stop, disposed between
the intermediate shoulder stop and the opening to the inlet end.
The internal surface of the inlet end includes a first portion that
is generally shaped and sized to snugly receive the outer surface
of the conduit, and a second portion wherein the internal surface
tapers or diverges outwardly toward the inlet opening.
[0009] To secure, seal and to provide a positive electric ground
for the conduit, a unitary sealing and compression ring is fitted
onto the end of the conduit. The sealing ring portion of the
unitary sealing and compression ring is provided with a sloping or
tapered outer surface that complements the taper of the outer
second portion of the inlet end. The compression ring portion of
the unitary sealing and compression ring is provided with an outer
camming surface which is sloped in the opposite direction to that
of the sealing ring portion, and to a greater degree of slope.
[0010] The arrangement is such that as the connecting nut is
tightened onto the threaded inlet end of the connector body, the
metallic unitary sealing ring portion is urged into a positive
sealing relationship between the conduit and the second portion of
the inlet end of the connector or coupling as the metallic
compression ring portion is being compressed onto the conduit to
insure a positive electric grounding of the conduit while imparting
a secure frictional holding force sufficient to prohibit the
conduit from being pulled out of the connector or coupling
body.
[0011] Other features and advantages will become readily apparent
in view of the following detailed description and drawings.
IN THE DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an assembled connector
embodying the present invention.
[0013] FIG. 2 is an expanded perspective view illustrating the
component parts of a connector embodying the invention.
[0014] FIG. 3 is a side sectional view of the connector assembly
embodying the invention taken along line 3-3 on FIG. 1.
[0015] FIG. 4 is a side view of the unitary sealing and compression
ring component.
[0016] FIG. 5 is an end view of FIG. 4.
[0017] FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along line 6-6 on FIG.
5.
[0018] FIG. 7 is a sectional side view of a coupling assembly
embodying the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0019] Referring to the drawings, there is illustrated in FIGS. 1
and 2 a connection assembly embodying the invention. A connection
assembly as broadly used herein encompasses a connector assembly
10, by which an electric metallic conduit 11 is connected to an
electrical junction box 35 as shown in FIG. 1, or coupling assembly
40 as shown in FIG. 7 for coupling two conduits 41A and 41B in end
to end relationship.
[0020] The illustrated embodiment of the invention as depicted in
FIGS. 1 to 6 is directed to a connector assembly 10 which includes
a connector body 12 which is generally formed as zinc casting or
other suitable metal. The connector body 12 includes an inlet end
13A and an outlet end 13B. In the illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 1
and 2, the outer surfaces of the inlet end 13A and outlet end 13B
are provided with suitable external threads 14. The connector body
12 also includes a through bore 15, as will be hereinafter
described in more detail. Intermediate the inlet end 13A and outlet
end 13B, the connector body 12 is provided with a radially
outwardly extending flange 16 having a hexagonal shape. However, it
will be understood that the flange 16 may assume any suitable shape
that will facilitate gripping the same for purposes of
assembling.
[0021] Intermediate between the inlet opening 17 and the outlet
opening 18 of the through bore 15 there is formed an internal
shoulder 19 which functions as a stop to limit the distance a
conduit 11 can be inserted into the inlet end 13A of the connector
body 12. Generally, such conduits are formed of metal, e.g. steel
and the like.
[0022] In accordance with this invention, the portion of the
through bore 15 defining the distal portion or first portion 15A of
the inlet end 13A, adjacent the stop shoulder 19, has a
substantially uniform diameter D of a size and shape to snugly
receive the end portion of the conduit 11 as shown in FIG. 3. The
distal or first portion 15A of the inlet end 13A extends from the
stop shoulder 19 to an intermediate point or ridge or shoulder 20
spaced inwardly of the inlet opening 17. It will be understood that
the ridge 20 is optional. The internal surface at the proximate end
of the inlet 13A or second portion 15B of the inlet end 13A has an
internal surface that tapers outwardly so that the diameter d of
proximate end or second portion 15A progressively increases from
the end of the first portion 15A to the inlet opening 17. The
portion of the bore 15 defining the outlet end 13B has a diameter
D.sub.1 which is slightly less than diameter D, as determined by
the thickness of the stop shoulder 19.
[0023] In accordance with this invention, a unitary metallic
sealing and compression ring 22 is snugly fitted onto an end
portion of a conduit 11 as seen in FIG. 3. The unitary sealing and
compression ring 22 includes a sealing ring portion 22A and a
compression ring portion 22B. The internal surface 23 of the
sealing and compression ring 22 is sized so as to be fitted onto
the end portion of a conduit, e.g. conduit 11. The external surface
24 of the sealing ring portion 22A is formed with a slight taper
that complements the internal taper of the described second portion
15B of the inlet end 13A. As best seen in FIG. 6, the taper 24
slopes in a radially outward direction. At a point intermediately
of the width W of the ring 22, there is formed a radially outwardly
extending shoulder 25. Between the shoulder 25 and the inlet
opening 26, the outer surface 27 defines a camming surface that
slopes downwardly from the shoulder 25 to the inlet opening 26.
Preferably, the unitary sealing and compression ring 22 is formed
of brass.
[0024] A fastening nut 30 is provided for securing the conduit 11
to the inlet end 13A of the connector body 12. The nut 30 is
provided with internal threads 31 by which it can be threaded onto
the external threads 14 of the inlet end 13A of the connector body
12. The nut 30 is provided with an opening 32 sized to permit the
nut 30 to be fitted onto the end of the conduit 11. Circumscribing
the opening 32, the nut 30 is provided with an internal cam surface
33 arranged to engage the external cam surface 27 of the combined
sealing and compression ring 22 as the nut 30 is threaded onto the
inlet end 13A of the connector body 12 to finally secure the
conduit 11 to the connector body 12.
[0025] Completing the connector assembly 10 is a resilient washer
34 formed of a resilient plastic, rubber or the like, which is
arranged to be fitted onto the outlet end 13B of the connector body
12. In operation, the washer 34 is fitted onto the outlet end 13B
of the connector body 12 so as to be positioned between the flange
16 and the side wall of a junction box 35 or the like. A lock nut
36 or other suitable locking fastener is fitted onto the outlet end
portion 13B of the connector to positively secure the connector
body 12 to an electrical junction box 35 or the like. As the
locking nut 36 is tightened onto the outlet end 13B of the
connector body 12, the resilient washer 34 is compressed or wedged
between the flange 16 and the side wall of the junction box 35.
Accordingly, the resilient washer 34 provides a seal about the
knockout opening of the junction box 35 that receives the outlet
end portion 13B of the connector body 12.
[0026] In assembling the connector assembly 10, the fastening nut
30 is positioned onto the end of the conduit 11, as noted in FIG.
3. The unitary sealing and compression ring 22 is then fitted onto
the end of the conduit so that the sealing ring portion 22A is
received within the inlet end 13A as noted in FIG. 2. With the
fastening nut 30, and sealing and compression ring 22 thus
positioned onto the end of the conduit, the conduit 11 is inserted
into the inlet end 13A until the end of the conduit 11 is brought
into abutting relationship with stop shoulder 19. With the conduit
11 seated against the stop shoulder 19, the fastening nut 30 is
tightened onto the inlet end 13A. The tightening of the fastening
nut 30 onto the inlet end 13A causes the cam surface 33 of the nut
to engage the compression ring portion 22B. In doing so, the
sealing ring portion 22A is urged or wedged between the outer
surface of the conduit 11 and the internal tapered surface 15B of
the inlet portion 13A to form a fluid tight seal thereat while
causing the compression ring portion 22B to be compressed tightly
onto the periphery of the conduit 11 to positively secure the
connection so as to preclude any separation or pull out of the
conduit 11 from the connector body 13. As the sealing and
compression ring 22 is formed of a metal; preferably brass, a
positive electrical grounding of the conduit and connector assembly
is also achieved.
[0027] It will be understood that the conduit 11 may be connected
to the connector body 12 either before or after the connector body
12 has been attached to a juncture box 35 or the like. To secure
the described connector body 12 to a juncture box 35, a resilient
washer 34 is positioned on the outlet end 13B, which is then
inserted through a knockout hole of a juncture box 35 and secured
thereto by the lock nut 36 or by other means, e.g. a snap fit ring
as disclosed in the heretofore mentioned co-pending
application.
[0028] FIG. 7 illustrates a modified embodiment of the invention as
applied to a coupling assembly 40 for connecting conduits 41A and
41B in end to end relationship. As shown, the coupler assembly 40
includes a coupling body 42 which may be formed of a suitable
material, e.g. a zinc casting or the like. The coupling body 42 is
provided with opposed inlet and outlet end portions 42A, 42B having
a through bore 43. In the illustrated embodiment, the outer
surfaces of the inlet and outlet portions 42A, 42B are externally
threaded as indicated as 44. Between the opposed open ends of the
bore, there is provided on the internal surface thereof a
circumscribing rib, ridge or shoulder 45. As will be noted, the
shoulder 45 defines a stop to limit the insertion of conduits 41A,
41B into the opposed end portions of the coupling body 42.
[0029] The respective opposed end portions 42A, 42B are each
provided with a bore portion 43A having a substantially uniform
diameter sized to snugly receive the outer diameter of the conduit
to be fitted thereinto, and an internally tapered or second portion
43B similar to that hereinbefore described with respect to the
connector body 13.
[0030] Externally, the coupling body 42 is provided with an
external radial flange 45A having a shape that can be readily
gripped to effect the turning thereof if necessary for assembly
purposes. The external surfaces of the respective opposed ends of
the coupling body 42 are suitably threaded for receiving a
fastening nut 46 similar to the fastening nut 30 hereinbefore
described.
[0031] A unitary sealing and compression ring 47 constructed as
hereinbefore described, is fitted onto each end of the respective
conduits 41A, 41B.
[0032] To assemble the described coupling assembly 40, each of the
respective conduits is fitted with the fastening nut 46. The
described unitary sealing and compression ring 47 is then fitted
onto the end of the respective conduits 41A, 41B. The unitary ring
47 is positioned on the conduit so that the sealing ring portion
47A is received within the end portion of the coupler body. With
the nut 46 and unitary ring 47 so positioned on the end of a
conduit, the end of the conduit is inserted into one end portion of
the coupling body 42 until the conduit is seated or abuts the stop
shoulder 45. The fastening nut 46 is then threaded onto its
respective end portion until the sealing ring portion 47A has
wedged itself into sealing relationship between the inlet end of
the coupling body 42 and the mating conduit. The tightening of the
fastening nut 46, as hereinbefore described, causes the compression
ring portion 47B to be tightly compressed onto the conduit. As the
unitary ring 47 is preferably formed of brass, a positive electric
grounding is also effected in the assembly of the coupler assembly
40.
[0033] From the foregoing, it will be apparent that a fluid tight
and a pressure tight connection is effected between the connector
or coupling body and its corresponding conduit whereby any pullout
or separation of the conduit is positively prohibited, and at the
same time a positive electrical grounding of the conduit and the
associated connector or coupling body is achieved.
[0034] While the invention has been described with respect to
several embodiments thereof, it will be understood that variations
and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit or
scope of the invention.
* * * * *