Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02657432 2011-06-14
ADJUSTABLE CONNECTOR FOR ELECTRICAL CABLE
10011
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0021 The present invention relates to fittings for electrical cables. In
particular, the
present invention relates to adjustable connectors that are used to change the
direction of
electrical cables.
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
[0031 Armored electrical cables can be used in a wide variety of applications.
They are
particularly suited for applications that require the wiring to be isolated
from the
surrounding environment. The construction of the cables permits them to be
used in
environments which are referred to as hazardous locations, as well as in non-
hazardous
locations. Traditionally, wiring runs in hazardous locations use rigid metal
conduit.
However, when permitted by the applicable electrical codes, flexible armored
cable may be
used in place of rigid conduit. In general, rigid conduit is more difficult
and more
expensive to install than armored cable. Therefore, users prefer to use
armored cable
whenever the electrical codes permit.
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[004] Armored cable, typically, includes an electrically conductive flexible
metal casing
which protects the conductors running within from abrasion, impacts and the
like. In
addition, the metal casing permits the cable to be grounded throughout its
length. An outer
plastic or rubber sheath typically covers the metal casing thereby adding
water proof
protection to the cable, as well as protecting the metal sheathing from
corrosive elements.
Although armored cable is more flexible and easier to install than rigid
conduit, its bend
radius can make it difficult to form tight bends and, hence, installation in
certain locations
requires elbows or other fittings.
[005] In the past, a 90-degree bend in an armored, electrical cable was
accomplished
using either an assembly of different approved fittings (e.g., a pull elbow
connected to a
straight fitting) or a short single 90 degree fitting. Similarly, fittings for
other bend angles
were used and, as a consequence, a user was required to stock fittings for a
variety of
different angles. This was found to be expensive and inconvenient.
[0061 Accordingly, there is a need for a fitting for changing the direction of
an armored,
electrical cable, as well as other types of electrical cables, that can be
quickly and easily
installed. There is a further need for an adjustable connector for armored and
other types
of electrical cables that can make bends in an armored, electrical cable over
a range of at
least from 0-90 degrees.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[007] In accordance with the present invention, an adjustable connector for
armored and
other types of electrical cables is provided. The adjustable connector
includes a body, a
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hub, a clamp and a coupling nut. The body has a longitudinal axis, a flanged
end, a cable
connecting end and an aperture extending between the two ends. The flanged end
has a
face that is angularly disposed to the longitudinal axis, preferably at an
angle of from about
30 to about 60 degrees, and most preferably at an angle of about 45 degrees.
The cable
connecting end can be threaded for connecting to a fitting or an enclosure.
[0081 The hub includes a cylindrical portion and a mating flange. The
cylindrical portion
has a central axis, an exterior surface, first and second ends and an opening
extending
between the ends. The mating flange is connected to the first end and extends
radially
from the opening to an outer perimeter that is angularly disposed to the
central axis,
preferably at an angle of from about 30 to about 60 degrees, and most
preferably at an
angle of about 45 degrees. The mating flange has a dovetail extending in an
arc of
approximately 45 degrees (but it could be more or less) around the outer
perimeter and the
exterior surface adjacent the second end has a plurality of threads. The
mating flange can
also have a raised edge along all or a portion of the outer perimeter and a
mating surface
between the opening in the cylindrical portion and the raised edge. The mating
surface
contacts the flanged end of the body when the connector is assembled so that
the central
axis of the hub can be disposed with respect to the longitudinal axis of the
body at an angle
of from about 0 to about 90 degrees. The threaded second end of the hub can be
adapted to
receive a cable or for connecting the hub to an enclosure. Preferably, the hub
includes one
or more wedged abutments, preferably two, on the exterior surface of the
cylindrical
portion adjacent to the mating flange. The wedged abutments are preferably
located at
opposing points on the cylindrical portion and are adapted to engage the clamp
when the
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clamp is installed on the hub. The hub can also include a circumferential
groove between
the first and second ends, which is adapted to receive an elastic 0-ring. When
the O-ring is
installed in the circumferential groove, it restricts the movement of the
coupling nut.
[0091 The clamp includes a base wall, a pair of side walls, a retainer and a
pair of tabs.
The base wall has a top, an interior side and opposing ends and the pair of
side walls
extend from the interior side of the opposing ends to a pair of distal ends.
The side walls
have a top that corresponds to the top of the base wall. The base wall and the
pair of side
walls define an interior. The retainer is connected to the top of the base
wall and preferably
extends upwardly from the top of the base wall to a lip. The lip extends
towards the
interior of the clamp and has a recessed portion that is adapted to receive
the flanged end of
the body. A tab extends from the top of the distal end of each side wall. The
tabs can be
wedge-shaped and can slope downwardly from the base of the tab to the end.
Preferably,
the base and the pair of side walls are arcuately shaped and correspond to the
cylindrical
portion of the hub. This allows the clamp to be fitted over the hub like a
saddle.
[0101 The coupling nut has first and second ends with an axial bore extending
therebetween and a perimetrical edge extending around the perimeter of the
axial bore at
the first end. The first end adjacent the perimetrical edge can have a
plurality of notches,
which are adapted to engage the clamp when the coupling nut is threaded onto
the second
end of the hub.
[0111 When the adjustable connector is assembled, the dovetail is adapted to
receive the
flanged end and the clamp is adapted to secure the flanged end to the mating
flange. The
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coupling nut is then installed on the threaded second end to secure the clamp
in place.
After the connector is assembled and the body is connected to the hub, the
longitudinal axis
of the body can be oriented so that it is substantially parallel to the
central axis of the hub
or the body and hub can be rotated so that the longitudinal axis is disposed
with respect to
the central axis at an angle of up to about 90 degrees.
[012] The flanged end can have indicia of the angular disposition of the
adjustable
connector. The indicia allow the user to easily determine the orientation of
the body with
respect to the hub.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[013] The preferred embodiments of the adjustable cable fitting of the present
invention,
as well as other objects, features and advantages of this invention, will be
apparent from
the accompanying drawings wherein:
[014] FIG. I is a perspective view of an embodiment of the adjustable
connector of the
present invention in the locked position.
[015] FIG. 2 is a top view of the embodiment of the adjustable connector shown
in
FIG. 1.
[016] FIG. 3 is a side view of the embodiment of the adjustable connector
shown in
FIG. 1.
[0171 FIG. 4 is an end view of the embodiment of the adjustable connector
shown in
FIG. 1.
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[018] FIG. 5 is a top, perspective view of an embodiment of the hub of the
adjustable
connector of the present invention.
(019] FIG. 6 is a bottom, perspective view of an embodiment of the hub of the
adjustable
connector of the present invention.
[020] FIG. 7 is a side view of an embodiment of the clamp of the adjustable
connector of
the present invention.
[021] FIG. 8 is a perspective view the embodiment of the clamp shown in FIG.
7.
[022] FIG. 9 is side view of an embodiment of the body of the adjustable
connector of the
present invention.
[023] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the coupling nut of
the
adjustable connector of the present invention.
[024] FIG. 11 is a side view of an embodiment of the connector of the present
invention
in the "tightened position."
(025] FIG. 12 is a side view of the embodiment of the connector shown in FIG.
11 in the
"adjustable position."
[026] FIG. 13 is a side view of the embodiment of the connector shown in FIG.
11 in the
"disassemble position."
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
10271 The present invention is an adjustable connector (also referred to
herein as an
"adjustable fitting" or "connector") that is used with armored and other types
of electrical
cables to make bends in a cable run. In general, armored cables are metal clad
and contain
one or more individually insulated conductors. Preferably, the armored,
electrical cable is
a flexible, interlocked aluminum armored cable having an inner PVC jacket over
the
insulated conductors as well as outer PVC jacket over the armor. Such cables
are referred
to herein as "teck cables." However, the invention is not limited to use with
teck or other
types of armored cables and can be used with any electrical cable. As used
herein, the term
"armored electrical cable" means a metal (e.g., steel, aluminum or brass) or
non-metal
(e.g., plastic) conduit or cable having a flexible, corrugated construction
with or without
interlocking helix, whether jacketed or unjacketed or lined or unlined (e.g.,
with a PVC
jacket or liner).
[0281 The present invention relates to adjustable fittings or connectors that
are used for
bends in electrical cables. The connectors have two or more components that
have
apertures (also referred to as axial bores), which extend substantially
straight through the
components. This allows the cables to be easily inserted directly into each of
the straight
apertures in each of the components of the fitting without having to bend the
cable to
conform to the shape of the fitting, which is typically the case with elbow
fittings. This
eliminates the time consuming and often difficult task of pre-bending the
cable and forcing
the wire bundle through a 90 degree elbow.
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[029] Traditional rigid 45 or 90-degree fittings need to be disassembled into
separate
components before a prepared cable is inserted and then re-assembled when the
cable is in
place. As used with regard to armored cables, the term "prepared cable" means
an armored
cable with the outer protective coating and/or the armored portion removed so
that the
cable is compatible with the connector. The connectors of the present
invention can be
disassembled into separate components and the cable inserted through the
separate
components or the connectors can remain assembled during cable insertion.
Prior to
running the cable, the adjustable connectors can be rotated into a variety of
configurations
to facilitate insertion of the cable by the user.
[030] In a preferred configuration, the axes of the two or more components
that make up
the connector are aligned and form an aperture that goes substantially
straight through the
connector without any bends. This "straight-through" configuration facilitates
the insertion
of the cable. After the cable is run and bends need to be made, the connector
components
(i.e., the body and the hub) can be rotated (or swiveled) to form the desired
angle and then
locked into position using a clamp and coupling nut. The angle formed by the
connector
can be varied from 0 to 90 degrees before the connector is locked in a fixed
position or
orientation. In some applications, the user may find it more convenient to
adjust the
connector to a specific angle before inserting the cable. In other
applications, the user may
choose not to completely tighten the coupling nut so that the cable and the
components of
the connector are not locked into a fixed orientation and are free to rotate.
10311 When a bend in an electrical cable is made, the bending of the
conductors occurs
only at a point inside the fitting. This is a significant improvement over the
prior art
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elbows, wherein the entire cable run needed to be pre-bent and forced through
the bending
angle of the elbow. The straight-through configuration of the components of
the adjustable
fitting of the present invention provides openings in the body and hub that
are aligned and
concentric. The angularly disposed flanged end of the body and the angularly
disposed
mating flange of the hub each have elliptically shaped openings with a major
axis (i.e., the
maximum distance between the opposing sides of the opening) and a minor axis
(i.e., the
minimum distance between the opposing sides of the opening). When the body and
hub
are rotated to form different angles for the connector, the minimum opening in
the
connector is at least equal to the minor axis of the body or hub (whichever is
smaller).
1032] The adjustable connector includes a body and a hub rotatably coupled
together so
that each member can be rotated relative to the other between a first
position, wherein the
body and hub extend in longitudinal alignment to provide a straight connection
(i.e., 0
degrees or 180 degrees), and a second position, wherein the longitudinal axes
of the body
and hub extend at a 90 degree angle with respect to the other axis to provide
a 90 degree
connection. A clamp is installed over the flanged end of the body and the
mating flange of
the hub to fix the position of the body relative to the hub. The body and the
hub can also
be connected at any angle between the first and second positions by rotating
the body and
hub to a desired orientation and then tightening the coupling nut against the
clamp to lock
the body and the hub in a fixed position.
10331 The body section of the adjustable connector has a longitudinal axis and
includes a
flanged end, a cable connecting end and an aperture extending between the two
ends.
Preferably, the opening in the flanged end is larger than the opening in the
connecting end
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to facilitate connection to the mating flange on the hub, as described in more
detail below.
The flanged end has a substantially flat face that extends around the opening
in the body
and is angularly disposed to the longitudinal axis of the body. Preferably,
the face of the
flanged end is disposed at an angle of from about 30 to about 60 degrees, and
most
preferably at an angle of about 45 degrees. The cable connecting end can be
threaded for
connecting the body to a fitting or an enclosure or it can have a plain end
that is connected
using a compression fitting.
10341 The hub includes a cylindrical portion with a mating flange on one end
and a
connection end for connecting the hub to an armored electrical cable. The
cylindrical
portion has a central axis, an exterior surface and an opening (i.e., an
aperture or an axial
bore) extending between the two ends. The mating flange is connected to the
first end of
the hub and extends radially from the opening to an outer perimeter.
Preferably, the mating
flange has a raised edge on the outer perimeter and a mating surface between
the opening
in the cylindrical portion and the raised edge. When the flanged end of the
body is
received by the mating flange, the flanged end is received within the raised
edge of the
mating flange and the surface of the flanged end contacts the mating surface.
The
connection end of the hub has a plurality of threads on the exterior surface
for receiving the
threads of the coupling nut. In a preferred embodiment, the cylindrical
portion of the hub
includes a circumferential groove between the first and second ends that is
adapted to
receive an elastic O-ring. After the coupling nut is threaded onto the hub and
passes over
the circumferential groove, the elastic O-ring is installed in the groove to
prevent the
coupling nut from being loosened to a point where the mating flange and the
flanged end of
CA 02657432 2009-03-09
the body can be disconnected. The elastic O-ring is of the type typically used
in electrical
fittings and can be made from a rubber material or a synthetic material with
elastic
properties similar to rubber.
1035] The mating flange is angularly disposed to the central axis of the hub
at an angle of
from about 30 to about 60 degrees, and preferably about 45 degrees. Because of
the
angular disposition of the mating flange, one portion of the mating flange is
located a
minimum distance from the connection end of the hub and an opposing portion is
located a
maximum distance from the connection end. For the purposes of the present
disclosure,
the portion of the mating flange located the minimum distance from the
connection end is
referred to as the "top" of the hub and the portion of the mating flange
located the
maximum distance from the connection end is referred to as the "bottom" of the
hub. The
mating flange has a dovetail extending in an arc of at least about 45 degrees
around the
outer perimeter. The dovetail is designed to receive at least a portion of the
perimetrical
edge of the flanged end of the body in a tongue and groove relationship. In
some
embodiments, the dovetail can extend up to about half the distance around the
outer
perimeter of the mating flange.
10361 The threaded second end of the hub can be connected by a fitting to an
armored
electrical cable or it can be connected to an enclosure. Preferably the hub
includes a pair of
wedged abutments on the exterior surface of the cylindrical portion adjacent
to the mating
flange. The wedged abutments are located at opposing points on the cylindrical
portion of
the hub and, preferably, are wedge-shaped protrusions on the exterior surface.
Each of the
wedged abutments has a top wall that corresponds to the top of the hub and a
bottom wall
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that corresponds to the bottom of the hub. The side walls are substantially
perpendicular to
the exterior surface of the hub so that they form a ledge. As the wedged
abutments extend
from a point adjacent to the mating flange towards the connection end of the
nub, at least
the bottom walls slope upwardly to provide the wedge shape. In a preferred
embodiment,
the bottom walls of the wedged abutments have a "stepped" construction so
that, instead of
sloping upwardly with a continuous flat surface, they slope upwardly in a
plurality of steps.
As described in more detail below, the wedged abutments are adapted to engage
the tabs on
the clamp.
[037] The clamp has a base wall with a pair of side walls extending from the
opposing
ends. Preferably, the base wall and side walls are curved so that they
continuously contact
the curved exterior surface of the cylindrical portion of the hub in a manner
similar to a
saddle. The base wall and side walls each have a pair of opposing ends, as
well as
corresponding tops, bottoms, interior sides and exterior sides. The side walls
extend
substantially orthogonally or at an angle greater than 90 degrees from the
interior side of
the opposing ends of the base wall to distal ends and define the interior of
the clamp. A
retainer extends upwardly form the top of the base wall to a lip that extends
towards the
interior. The lip has a recessed portion on the bottom portion that is adapted
to receive and
engage the flanged end of the body when the body and hub are connected.
10381 A tab having a base and an end extends from the top of the distal end of
each of the
side walls. The tabs can be substantially rectangular but are preferably wedge-
shaped with
the interior side (i.e., the side facing the base wall) sloping away from the
base wall as the
tab extends towards the end, while the opposing side of the tab extends
substantially
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perpendicularly from the top of the side wall. After the flanged end of the
body is joined
with the mating flange of the hub, the clamp is installed on the top of the
hub so that the lip
of the retainer overlaps the mating flange and the flanged end of the body on
the top and
the tabs slide under and engage the wedged abutments on the bottom. In another
embodiment, the hub does not have wedged abutments and the tabs of the clamp
engage
the back side of the mating flange when the coupling nut is tightened against
the clamp.
10391 The distance between the base wall and the tabs is selected so that,
when the clamp
is installed on the hub, the retainer overlaps the flanged end of the body
that is joined with
the mating flange and the tabs snugly contact the ends of the wedged abutments
closest to
the connection end of the hub. In this configuration, the bottom walls of the
wedged
abutments slope upwardly from the mating flange in the direction of the top of
the hub and
the interior sides of the tabs slope downwardly in the direction of the bottom
of the hub.
As the coupling nut is tightened to apply force on the clamp in a direction
from the
connection end towards the mating flange end of the hub, the clamp
simultaneously moves
closer to the mating flange and in a downward direction (i.e., in a direction
from the top of
the hub towards the bottom) due to the corresponding sloped constructions of
the wedged
abutments and tabs. This forces the retainer down onto the flanged end/mating
flange
connection and frictionally engages the wedged abutments and tabs to secure
the body to
the hub in a fixed position.
10401 The coupling nut has first and second ends with an axial bore and an
interior
surface extending between the two ends. The interior surface is threaded and
the first end
of the nut is adapted to be received by the threaded connection end of the
hub. The
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coupling nut also has a perimetrical edge on the first end that extends around
the perimeter
of the axial bore. The first end adjacent to the perimetrical edge preferably
has a rough
surface or a plurality of notches, which are adapted to engage the clamp when
the coupling
nut is threaded onto the second end of the hub.
[041] After the flanged end of the body is joined to the mating flange on the
hub, the
coupling nut is tightened to secure the body and hub in any desired angular
relationship. In
the tightened position, the coupling nut snugly fits against the clamp to lock
the body and
hub together in the desired orientation. This is referred to herein as the
"tightened
position" or "locked position." When the coupling nut is loosened slightly,
the pressure on
the clamp is decreased so that the body and hub sections of the connector can
be swiveled
to any angular orientation relative to one another. This is referred to herein
as the
"adjustable position." The slidable faces of the flanged end and mating flange
allow a
continuous 360-degree rotation until the coupling nut is retightened against
the clamp to
lock the body and hub together in a selected angular orientation. When the
connector is in
the adjustable position, further loosening of the coupling nut allows the
clamp to disengage
the flanged end and mating flange so that the body and hub can be
disconnected. This is
referred to herein as the "disassemble position."
[042] In one embodiment, the adjustable connector has two components or
sections, the
body and the hub, which are provided with a flanged end and a mating flange,
respectively,
at their corresponding mating ends for connecting the two sections together.
The faces of
the flanged end and mating flange extend angularly with respect to the
longitudinal axes of
the body and hub, preferably, at between 30 and 60 degrees and, most
preferably, about 45
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degrees. The faces of the flanged end and the mating flange slidably and
rotatably mate
with each other when the body is connected to the hub. The mating flange on
the hub is
provided with a dovetail extending along a portion of its perimetrical edge
that receives the
edge of the flanged end of the body in a dovetail or tongue and groove
relationship.
Specifically, the outer surface of the edge of the flanged end slides into and
is received by
the dovetail on the complementary edge of the hub's mating flange. A clamp is
installed
over the hub's mating flange and contacts the body's flanged end, preferably,
at a point
opposite the dovetail. A coupling nut is then installed on the threaded end of
the hub and
tightened to secure the clamp in position.
10431 The adjustable connector is particularly advantageous since it provides
an unbiased
axial alignment of the components. Consequently, there is no offset or bending
when the
cable passes through the two sections of the fitting until the sections are
rotated to a desired
orientation. This provides an initial straight-through connection that is
advantageous,
especially for cables having a large diameter, which are more difficult to
bend and install in
fittings. In addition, the adjustable connector can be easily disconnected,
even after a cable
is installed in the fitting, since the straight-through connection of the body
and the hub
facilitates disconnection and reorientation.
1044] In a preferred embodiment, the outer surface of the dovetail can be
provided with a
handgrip to facilitate hand installation. The handgrip can be formed by one or
more
protrusions or ribs extending radially from the dovetail or it can be formed
by one or more
slots or depressions in the dovetail. The adjustable connector can be
constructed from a
metal or a plastic material, preferably by a molding process. In addition, the
adjustable
CA 02657432 2009-03-09
connector can include self draining capabilities through a drain hole in the
hub that allows
draining of the fitting when oriented at any angle.
[0451 The apertures in the body and hub can be provided with rounded interior
surfaces to
protect the cable from being cut or frayed by sharp edges. In addition, the
fitting can be
provided with a watertight O-ring for sealing the connection between the two
mating
flanges. The O-ring can be mounted in a substantially circular recess on the
face of one of
the mating flanges, preferably the hub.
[046] For larger cables, the angular disposition of the mating flanges with
respect to their
longitudinal axes can be reduced to provide a more gradual bending of the
cable.
Preferably, each of the fittings for larger cables has a flanged end and a
mating flange with
faces disposed at 22.5 degrees to the longitudinal axis instead of 45 degrees
to provide an
increased bend radius. In this embodiment, two 45-degree adjustable connectors
are used
to provide a 90-degree connection. Each connector has a mating flange and
flanged end
with the faces disposed at 22.5 degrees from the longitudinal axis to form the
45-degree
connector. Installing the two connectors in series provides a 90 degree
connection.
[047] In another embodiment, a coupler is installed between the body and the
hub of the
adjustable connector. One end of the coupler has a flanged end similar to the
flanged end
on the body and the other end of the coupler has a mating flange with a
dovetail similar to
the mating flange on the hub. The flanged end and mating flanges are joined in
the same
manner as the flanged end and mating flange on the body and hub. The flanged
end of the
coupler mates with the mating flange of the hub and the mating flange of the
coupler mates
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with the flanged end of the body. The coupler can also have flanged ends that
can be used
to connect the coupler to hubs on each end. As will be appreciated by those
skilled in the
art, different combinations of flanged ends and mating flanges on the body,
hub and
coupler with their faces disposed at various angles from their axes can be
used in order to
provide a universal connection at any angle or a specifically shaped
connection. When the
coupling nuts engage the clamps and secured the flanged ends and mating
flanges together,
a three-member adjustable connector assembly (hub, coupling nut and body)
locks all three
axes of rotation XYZ of the adjustable connector and all three linear motions
XYZ.
10481 Referring to the drawings, FIGs. 1-3 show an embodiment of the
adjustable
connector 10 of the present invention, which includes a body 12 mated to a hub
14 and
secured together by a clamp 16 and coupling nut 18. The body 12 has a
connection end 20
with a threaded exterior surface 22 and a flanged end 24 that is angularly
disposed to the
longitudinal axis of the body 12. Similarly, the hub 14 is cylindrically
shaped and has a
connection end 26 with a threaded exterior surface 28 and a mating flange 30
that is
angularly disposed to the central axis of the hub 14. After the flanged end 24
of the
body 12 is mated to the mating flange 30 of the hub 14, the clamp 16 is
installed onto the
connection end 26 of the hub 14 and positioned over the flanged end 24 and
mating
flange 30. The huh 14 has a pair of wedged abutments 34 located on opposite
sides at a
point near the flanged end 30, which are engaged by the clamp 16 as described
in more
detail below. The clamp 16 is secured to the hub 14 by a coupling nut 18 that
is threaded
onto the connection end 26 of the hub 14. The connection end 20 of the body 12
also has a
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coupling 32, which is used to connect the connection end 20 to an armored
cable (not
shown).
[0491 FIG. 2 shows indicia 11 on the flanged end 24 of the body 12 that allow
the user to
determine the orientation of the connector 10. FIG. 2 also shows how the
retainer 36
portion on the top of the clamp 16 extends over the flanged end 24 and mating
flange 30 to
secure them together. At the same time, the bottom of the clamp 16 on one side
(FIG. 3)
engages the wedged abutment 34 on the side of the hub 14. When the coupling
nut 18 is
tightened, the wedged abutments 34 move the clamp 16 towards the mating flange
30 and
in a downward or radially inward direction to increase the force exerted by
the retainer 36
on the flanged end 24 and mating flange 30. In order to rotate or disconnect
the flanged
end 24 and mating flange 30, the coupling nut 18 must be loosened so that the
pressure
applied to the flanged end 24 and mating flange 30 by the clamp 16 is
decreased.
[0501 FIG. 4 shows an end view of the connector 10 viewed from the connection
end 26
of the hub 14. The body 12 and hub 14 of the connector 10 are configured so
that the axial
bore 38 of the connector 10 forms a substantially straight passage and has a
maximum
inner diameter. The coupling nut 18 can be loosened so that the clamp 16 is
released and
the body 12 rotated with respect to the hub 14. This allows the connector 10
to form
bends. Once the connector 10 is adjusted to a desired orientation, the
coupling nut 18 can
be tightened to secure the relative position of the body 12 and hub 14.
[0511 FIG. 5 shows the hub 14, which has a connection end 26 with a threaded
exterior
surface 28 for receiving both the coupling nut 18 (see FIG. 1) and a fitting
for connecting
18
CA 02657432 2009-03-09
an electrical cable (not shown). The hub 14 has a cylindrical portion 40 with
a mating
flange 30 opposite the connection end 26. The mating flange 30 has a dovetail
42 that
extends around a portion of the outer perimeter of the mating flange 30 and
receives the
flanged end 24 of the body 12 (see FIG. 1). The mating flange 30 has a raised
edge 44 on
the outer perimeter and a mating surface 46 between the axial bore 48 of the
cylindrical
portion 40 and the raised edge 44. FIG. 5 shows how the mating flange 30 is
angularly
disposed to the central axis of the cylindrical portion 40 of the hub 14. The
hub 14 has a
pair of wedged abutments 34 (only one shown) on the exterior surface of the
cylindrical
portion 40 next to the mating flange 30. The wedged abutments 34 are located
on opposite
sides of the cylindrical portion 40.
[052] FIG. 6 shows the mating flange 30 of the hub 14 and the axial bore 48
from the
connection end 26. In this embodiment of the connector 10, the wedged
abutments 34 of
the hub 14 have a stepped construction which allows the clamp 16 (see FIG. 1)
to engage
the wedged abutments 34 at different points.
[053] FIGs. 7 and 8 show the clamp 16 with a base wall 50 and a pair of curved
side
walls 52 extending from the opposing ends. The side walls 52 extend from the
interior side
of the opposing ends of the base wall 50 to distal ends 54 that define the
interior 56 of the
clamp 16. The retainer 36 extends outwardly from the top of the base wall 50
to a lip 58,
which has a recessed portion 60 that is adapted to receive and engage the
flanged end 24 of
the body 12 (see FIG. 1). A tab 62 extends from the distal end 54 of each of
the side
walls 52. The tabs 62 are wedge-shaped and correspond to the wedged abutments
34 on
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CA 02657432 2009-03-09
the hub 14 (see FIG. 3).
[054] FIG. 9 shows the body 12 portion of the connector 10 with a connection
end 20 that
has a plurality of threads 22 for connecting to an electrical cable or
enclosure (not shown)
and a flanged end 24 with a substantially flat face 64 that extends around the
opening in the
body 12 and is angularly disposed to the longitudinal axis of the body 12. The
body 12 has
a substantially straight neck 66 that extends between the connection end 20
and the flanged
end 24.
[055] FIG. 10 shows the coupling nut 18 with a plurality of flats 68 that can
be engaged
by a wrench or other tool for rotating the coupling nut 18 when it is
installed on the hub 14
(see FIG. 1). The coupling nut 18 has a threaded interior surface 70 which
threads onto the
connection end 26 of the hub 14. Adjacent the perimetrical edge 72 on one end
of the
coupling nut 18, the surface has a plurality of notches 74 extending radially,
which are
adapted to engage the clamp 16 when the coupling nut 18 is threaded onto the
hub 14.
Thus, while not shown, clamp 16 is configured so as to have at least a partial
surface that
can engage and/or mate with notches 74.
[056] FIGs. 11 to 13 show an embodiment of the connector 110 in which the hub
114 has
two threaded sections on the cylindrical portion 140. One threaded section 128
is on the
connection end 126 and is used for connecting the hub 114 to electrical cables
(not shown).
The other threaded section 113 (FIG. 13) is near the middle of the cylindrical
portion 140
and is separated from the threaded section 128 of the connection end 126 by a
circumferential groove 115 and/or an unthreaded section 119. An O-ring 117 is
removably
CA 02657432 2009-03-09
installed in the circumferential groove 115 and acts as a stop to limit the
travel of the
coupling nut 118_ FIG. 11 shows the coupling nut 118 in a "tightened position"
in which it
applies a force on the clamp 116 which prevents the body 112 and hub 114 from
moving
with respect to each other. In the tightened position, the O-ring 117 does not
contact the
coupling nut 118.
10571 FIG. 12 shows the coupling nut 118 in an "adjustable position" wherein
the
coupling nut 118 is exerting minimum pressure on the clamp 116 and the
circumferential
groove 115 is located adjacent to the coupling nut 118. In this position, the
clamp 116
prevents the body 112 and hub 114 from separating but allows them to freely
rotate so that
the user can adjust the orientation. The coupling nut 118 is loosened so that
the threaded
section 113 on the mating flange 130 side of the groove 115 is partially
visible. The 0-ring
117 prevents the coupling nut 118 from moving past the groove 115. In this
position, the
body 112 and hub 114 can freely rotate but will not separate so that the
connector 110 can
be disassembled.
10581 FIG. 13 shows the coupling nut 118 in the "disassemble position" wherein
the
coupling nut 118 is no longer exerting pressure on the clamp 116 to prevent
the body 112
from being separated from the hub 114. The O-ring 117 is removed from the
circumferential groove 115 and moved onto the adjacent non-threaded surface
119 of the
hub 114. The coupling nut 118 is loosened so that the threaded section 113 on
the mating
flange 130 side of the groove 115 is visible. In this position, the O-ring 117
does not
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CA 02657432 2009-03-09
interfere with the movement of the coupling nut 118 to a position that allows
the body 112
and hub 114 to be separated.
10591 Thus, while there have been described the preferred embodiments of the
present
invention, those skilled in the art will realize that other embodiments can be
made without
departing from the spirit of the invention, and it is intended to include all
such further
modifications and changes as come within the true scope of the claims set
forth herein.
22
