Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates to electrical connectors, and more particularly, to
electrical connectors constructed for securing flexible metal conduits, metal
clad
sheath cables, and/or solid tubing conduits to solid tubing conduits.
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BACKGROUND ART
In the field of wiring homes and buildings, whether for new construction or
for improvements or expansion, substantial development and product im-
provements have been made. Typically, these improvements are directed to
enabling installers to securely mount any desired wiring to any desired
location in
the most efficient and quickest manner.
In any particular installation or location, various conduits or cables must be
interconnected to each other as well as connected to the primary power supply
in a
suitable power distributing outlet box, junction box, or other enclosure. In
each of
these instances, flexible metal conduits, armored or metal clad cables, and/or
solid, rigid metal conduits or tubing, within which the electrical power
carrying wires
are contained, must be securely mounted to the housing of a junction box or
outlet
box, or connected to an appropriate solid or rigid metal tubing or conduit.
In order to enable installers to securely mount flexible metal conduits,
armored or metal clad cables, and/or solid, rigid metal conduits or tubing to
any
desired junction box or outlet box, numerous prior art connectors have been
developed. However, in spite of the substantial effort that has been expended
in
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developing such connectors, no prior art system has been developed which
enables two flexible metal conduits, armored or metal clad cables, and/or
solid,
rigid metal conduits or tubing to be mounted together in combination with a
single
elongated, solid or rigid tubing/conduit.
In general, the industry manufacturers and suppliers provide numerous
constructions for enabling a single flexible metal conduit and/or metal clad
or
armored cable to be securely mounted to either a junction box or outlet box or
to an
elongated, solid or rigid tubing or conduit. However, during the installation
of
electrical wires, various instances occur wherein an installer wishes to
interconnect two flexible metal conduits, armored or metal clad cables, and/or
solid, rigid metal conduits or tubing to a single elongated, solid or rigid
tub-
ing/conduit. However, no prior art connector of this nature exists and
installers
are required to employ connectors that are not designed for this
configuration, or
are required to use metal junction boxes.
Therefore, it is a principal object of the present invention to provide a
connector which enables the secure, rapid, mounted interengagement and
retention of two separate and independent flexible metal conduits, armored or
metal clad cables, and/or solid, rigid metal conduits or tubing with a single
elongated, solid or rigid tubing/conduit.
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Another object of the present invention is to provide a connector having the
characteristic features described above which is capable of being employed
quickly and easily, for securely mounting two separate and independent
flexible
metal conduits, armored or metal clad cables, and/or solid, rigid metal
conduits or
tubing directly to a single solid or rigid tubing/conduit without difficulty.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a connector having the
characteristic features described above which enables the entire assembly of
the
two separate and independent flexible metal conduits, armored or metal clad
cables, and/or solid, rigid metal conduits or tubing to be achieved quickly
and
easily by a single individual.
Other a more specific objects will in part be obvious and will in part appear
hereinafter.
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SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
By employing the present invention, all of the difficulties and drawbacks of
the prior art systems have been overcome and an efficient, easily manufactured
and easily assembled connector is realized. Furthermore, using the connector
of
the present invention, two separate and independent flexible metal conduits,
two
separate armored or metal clad cables, and/or two separate elongated, rigid or
solid electrical tubings/conduits are quickly and easily secured to the
connector for
being mounted directly to a single elongated rigid or solid electrical
tubing/conduit.
By employing the present invention, complete assurance is provided that the
entire
mounting operation can be achieved by a single operator both quickly and
easily.
In its preferred construction, the dual or duplex conduit/cable connector of
the present invention is constructed for receiving two separate and
independent
flexible metal conduits, armored or metal clad cables, and/or rigid electrical
tubes/conduits and enabling the two conduit/cables to be securely affixed to
one
end of the connector. In order to assure rapid, easy, and efficient assembly
of the
two flexible metal conduits, armored or metal clad cables, and/or rigid
electrical
tubes/conduits to the duplex connector of the present invention, the
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connector preferably incorporates a clamping bracket or locking screw
associated
therewith.
Although the clamping bracket may be formed in a wide variety of alternate
configurations, in the preferred embodiment, two separate U-shaped brackets
are
mounted at one end of the duplex connector with one side of each bracket being
mounted in a receiving slot formed in the connector. The second end of each
bracket overlies the receiving aperture of the connector and is positioned for
directly contacting the outside surface of the flexible metal conduit and/or
armored
or metal clad cable mounted thereto. In addition, the central portion of the
U-shaped bracket incorporates a threaded aperture which is cooperatively
associated with a locking screw threadily engaged with the connector.
By employing this preferred construction, two separate and independent
flexible metal conduits and/or armored or metalclad cables are inserted into
the
receiving aperture formed at one end of the duplex connector and are securely
mounted in the desired position. In order to assure secure mounted engagement
of each conduit/cable in the connector, each of the two U-shaped clamping
brackets are employed.
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In this regard, each clamping bracket is released for enabling the two
flexible
metal conduits and/or armored metal clad cables to be fully inserted into the
duplex
connector. Once fully inserted therein, the clamping brackets are secured by
rotating the locking screws, causing the two sides of the bracket to be drawn
downwardly into abutting contact with the outer surface of the flexible metal
conduit and/or armored or metal clad cables. In this regard, one side of the
bracket securely engages the conduits/cable at the opening of the connector,
while the other side of the bracket, which passes through the slot formed in
the
connector, engages the outer surface of the conduit/cable directly within the
connector. In this way, assurance is provided that both flexible metal
conduits
and/or armored or metal clad cables are securely affixed to the duplex
connector.
In an alternate preferred embodiment of the present invention, the dual or
duplex conduit/cable connector of the present invention is constructed with
two
locking rings or sleeves mounted in one end of the connector in adjacent
relationship with each locking ring/sleeve being constructed for enabling a
separate and independent flexible metal conduit and/or armor or metal clad
cable
to be inserted and lockingly engaged therein. In this way, two separate
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and independent flexible metal conduits and/or armor or metal clad cables are
quickly and easily securely affixed to one end of the connector.
In a preferred construction, each of the locking rings/sleeves is mounted in
secure, locked engagement in one end of the connector of the present
invention,
with each locking ring/sleeve incorporating a plurality of flexible arms or
fingers
extending therefrom in position for lockingly engaging the outer surface of
the
metal conduit and/or armor or metal clad cable inserted therein. In this way,
any
desired pair of metal conduits and/or armor or metal clad cables are quickly
and
easily mounted to the same end of the connector of the present invention and
securely affixed thereto.
In a still further alternate embodiment of the present invention, the dual or
duplex conduit/cable connector of the present invention is constructed for
enabling
two rigid conduits or solid tubing conduits, such as electrical metal tubings
(EMT)
to be fully inserted into the duplex connector for secure engagement
therewith. In
this regard, by telescopically advancing the two desired solid or rigid
tubing/conduits into the duplex connector of the present invention, the two
rigid
tubing/conduits are securely affixed thereto, preferably by employing locking
screws mounted to the end of the connector for enabling the tubing/conduits to
be
securely locked in the desired position.
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In the preferred construction of this embodiment of the present invention, the
duplex connector is constructed with a removable cover, which enables the
installer to quickly and easily open the connector to view the position of any
electrical wires being inserted therethrough, as well as control the
positioning of
the wires. In this regard, in certain installations, it is important to be
able to control
the movement of electrical wires through the duplex connector, in order to be
certain that the wires are transferred from one rigid tubing/conduit into the
two
separate and independent rigid tubing/conduits, with each of the wires being
advanced into the appropriate tubing/conduit. By incorporating a removable
cover as an integral component of the duplex connector, assurance is provided
that installation ease and convenience is achieved.
Once the two flexible metal conduits, armored or metal clad cables, and/or
rigid electrical tubes/conduits are securely affixed in the desired position
in the
duplex connector of the present invention, the opposed end of the connector is
securely affixed to any desired rigid conduit or solid tubing conduit, such as
an
electrical metal tubing (EMT). This secure affixation is quickly and easily
achieved by telescopically advancing the receiving end of the duplex connector
of
the present invention onto the desired solid or rigid tubing/conduit and then
securely affixing the connector directly to the tubing/conduit. This
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secure affixation is most easily achieved by employing a locking screw
incorporated in the mounting end of the connector. Once completed, the duplex
connector of the present invention is securely mounted in the precisely
desired
position with all of the component quickly and easily affixed thereto.
The invention accordingly comprises an article of manufacture possessing
the features, properties, and the relation of elements which will be
exemplified in
the article hereinafter described, and the scope of the invention will be
indicated in
the claims.
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THE DRAWINGS
For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention,
reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in
connection
with the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIGURE 1 is a front perspective view of the duplex connector of the present
invention shown mounted to a solid or rigid tubing/conduit at one end thereof
with
two separate and independent flexible metal conduits and/or armored clad
cables
securely affixed to the opposed end thereof;
FIGURE 2 is a front perspective view of the duplex connector of FIGURE 1;
FIGURE 3 is a front elevation view of the duplex connector of FIGURE 2,
with the two flexible metal conduits and/or armored clad cables removed
therefrom;
FIGURE 4 is a side elevation view of the duplex connector of FIGURE 3;
FIGURE 5 is a top plan view of the duplex connector of FIGURE 3;
FIGURE 6 is a cross-sectional side elevation view of the duplex connector of
FIGURE 2 with the solid or rigid tubing/conduit shown in phantom;
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FIGURE 7 is a cross-sectional top plan view of the duplex connector of
FIGURE 6;
FIGURE 8 is a front perspective view of a modified embodiment of the
duplex connector of FIGURE 1;
FIGURE 9 is a front elevation view of the duplex connector of FIGURE 8;
FIGURE 10 is a cross-sectional bottom plan view of the duplex connector of
FIGURE 9;
FIGURE 11 is a side elevation view of the duplex connector of FIGURE 9,
shown mounted to a solid or rigid tubing/conduit at one end thereof with two
separate and independent flexible metal conduits and/or armor or metal clad
cables securely affixed to the opposed end thereof;
FIGURE 12 is a cross-sectional top plan view of the duplex connector of
FIGURE 11 taken along line 12-12;
FIGURE 13 is a front perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the
duplex connector of the present invention;
FIGURE 14 is a front elevation view of the duplex connector of FIGURE 13;
FIGURE 15 is a side elevation view of the duplex connector of FIGURE 14;
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FIGURE 16 is a cross-sectional bottom plan view of the duplex connector of
FIGURE 15 taken along line 16-16;
FIGURE 17 is a side elevation view of the duplex connector of FIGURE 13
shown mounted to a solid or rigid tubing/conduit at one end thereof with two
separate and independent flexible metal conduits and/or armored or metal clad
cables securely affixed to the opposed end thereof;
FIGURE 18 is a cross-sectional top plan view of the duplex connector of
FIGURE 17 taken along line 18-18;
FIGURE 19 is a front perspective view of the multiple conduit connector of
the present invention shown mounted to a solid or rigid tubing/conduit at one
end
thereof, with two separate and independent solid or rigid tubings/conduits
securely
affixed to the opposed end thereof;
FIGURE 20 is a front perspective view of the multiple conduit connector of
FIGURE 19;
FIGURE 21 is a side elevation view of the multiple conduit connector of
FIGURE 20;
FIGURE 22 is a cross-sectional top plan view of the multiple conduit
connector of the present invention taken along the line 22-22 of FIGURE 21;
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FIGURE 23 is an exploded perspective view of the multiple conduit
connector of FIGURE 20;
FIGURE 24 is a front elevation view of the multiple conduit connector of
FIGURE 20;
FIGURE 25 is a rear elevation view of the multiple conduit connector of
FIGURE 20;
FIGURE 26 is a top plan view of the multiple conduit connector of FIGURE
20;
FIGURE 27 is a cross-sectional elevation view of the multiple conduit
connector of the present invention taken a long line 27-27 of FIGURE 26; and
FIGURE 28 is a cross-sectional elevation view of the multiple conduit
connector of the present invention taken a long line 28-28 of FIGURE 26.
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DETAILED DISCLOSURE
By referring to FIGURES 1-28, along with the following detailed discussion,
the construction and operation of alternate embodiments of the duplex
conduit/cable connector of the present invention can best be understood.
Although the following disclosure and associated drawings fully and completely
depict the preferred embodiments of the present invention, further alternate
constructions can be made without departing from the scope of this invention.
As
a result, it is to be understood that all such alternate constructions and
variations
are intended to be within the scope of the present invention and encompassed
therein.
In FIGURES 1 and 2, dual or duplex conduit/cable connector 20 is depicted
incorporating body member 21, front end 22, and rear end 23. In addition,
dual/duplex conduit/cable connector 20 is shown with flexible metal conduits
and/or armored or metal clad cables 25 and 26 securely mounted to front end
22,
while solid or rigid metal tubing or conduit 27 is shown securely affixed to
rear end
23 of connector 20. As result, FIGURES 1 and 2 depict duplex conduit/cable
connector 20 of the present invention in its fully assembled configuration.
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As is evident from a review of FIGURES 1 and 2, duplex conduit/cable
connector 20 of the present invention enables two separate and independent
flexible metal conduits and/or armored or metal clad cables 25 and 26 to be
quickly
and easily securely affixed to connector 20 for enabling the electrical
conducting
wires retained within cables 25 and 26, as shown and fully detailed below, to
be
easily carried through solid or rigid tube/conduit 27. In this way, solid
tubing
conduit, such as electrical metal tubing (EMT) or rigid conduits can be
quickly and
easily interconnected with two separate and independent flexible metal
conduits or
cables, thereby providing installation ease and efficiency.
By referring to FIGURES 1-7, along with the following detailed description,
the construction and operation of dual or duplex conduit/cable connector 20 of
the
present invention can best be understood. As depicted, dual/duplex
conduit/cable connector 20 incorporates an enlarged front end 22 formed in
body
member 21 with front end 22 incorporating portal 30 which is constructed for
receiving flexible metal conduits and/or armored or metal clad cables 25 and
26
therein. In order to assure that flexible metal conduit and/or armored or
metal
clad cables 25 and 26 are securely retained in the precisely desired position,
connector 20 incorporates brackets 31 and 32.
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In the preferred construction, brackets 31 and 32 each comprise a generally
U-shape, formed by wall portions 33 and 34, and interconnecting portion 35. In
addition, each of brackets 31 and 32 is cooperatively associated with screw 36
which securely affixes brackets 31 and 32 to body member 21. In this regard,
body member 21 incorporates two slots 37 formed therein, each of which is
constructed for receiving wall portion 33 of either bracket 31 or 32. In
addition,
screw 36 is readily engaged with brackets 31 and 32, as well as with body
member
217 in order to securely maintain and position brackets 31 and 32 in the
precisely
desired location.
As depicted, by employing this construction, brackets 31 and 32 are
cooperatively associated with front end 22 of body member 21, with wall
portion 34
of each bracket 31 and 32 positioned in juxtaposed, spaced, cooperating
relationship with portal 30 of front end 22. In addition, wall portion 33 of
each
bracket 31 and 32 extends through slot 37 of body member 21 for enabling the
lower edge thereof to be positioned within the interior of body member 21.
In this way, as best seen in Figures 1 and 2, flexible metal conduits and/or
armored or metal clad cables 25 and 26 are able to be quickly and easily
inserted
into portal 30 of front end 22 of body member 21, with brackets 31 and 32
positioned to allow flexible metal conduits and/or armored or metal clad
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cables 25 and 26 to be easily inserted into connector 20. Once flexible metal
conduit and/or armored or metal clad cables 25 and 26 are axially advanced
into
portal 30 of body member 21 and placed in the desired position within body
member 21 of connector 20, screws 36 are rotated for causing brackets 31 and
32
to be advanced into clamping engagement with the outer surface of flexible
metal
conduit and/or armored or metal clad cables 25 and 26.
In this regard, in the preferred construction, wall portion 33 of brackets 31
and 32 is constructed with arcuately curved zone 40 formed in the terminating
edge thereof, while wall portion 34 of brackets 31 and 32 incorporates
arcuately
curved zone 41 formed in its terminating edge. In the preferred construction,
arcuately curved zones 40 and 41 are constructed with a radius of curvature
consistent with the radius of curvature found on the outer surface of flexible
metal
conduits and/or armored or metal clad cables 25 and 26. As a result, once
flexible
metal conduit and/or armored or metal clad cables 25 and 26 are inserted into
front
end 22 of body member 21, the advance of brackets 31 and 32 into clamping
engagement with the outer surface of cables 25 and 26 enables arcuately curved
zones 40 and 41 to securely contact and engage the outer surface of cables 25
and 26, assuring that cables 25 and 26 are securely affixed
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and retained in body member 21 of dual/duplex conduit/cable connector 20,
preventing unwanted axial removal of cables 25 and 26 from connector 20.
In completing the installation of dual/duplex conduit/cable connector 20 in a
typical application, connector 20 is securely mounted to a desired solid or
rigid
tube/conduit 27. In achieving this result, portal 44 is formed in rear end 23
of
connector 20, with portal 44 being constructed for enabling solid or rigid
tube/conduit 27 to be telescopically inserted through portal 44 into
engagement
with connector 20. Once inserted in position, locking screw 45 mounted to
connector 20 directly adjacent portal 44 is a threadedly advanced into contact
with
solid or rigid tube/conduit 27, for securely affixing connector 20 to solid or
rigid
tube/conduit 27, thereby completing the installation and affixation of
connector 20
in an easily achieved manner.
As is well known in the art, flexible metal conduit and/or armored or metal
clad cables 25 and 26 are employed for carrying electrical wires 50 and
enabling
wires 50 to be distributed to the various locations for achieving the desired
electrical connections. In this regard, whenever a large number of electrical
wires
50 are distributed through a particular location, solid or rigid
tubes/conduits 27 are
employed, such as electrical metal tubing (EMT) or rigid conduits.
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In employing the present invention, individual flexible metal conduits and/or
armored or metal clad cables 25 and 26 are quickly and easily affixed to
dual/duplex conduit/cable connector 20 of the present invention for enabling
electrical wires 50 mounted in the individual flexible metal conduits and/or
armored
or metal clad cables 25 and 26 to be combined and carried through a single,
elongated, solid or rigid tube/conduit 27. This desirable result is easily
achieved
using dual/duplex conduit/cable connector 20 with the final assembly being
depicted in FIGURES 6 and 7.
In FIGURES 8-12, an alternate embodiment of dual/duplex conduit/cable
connector 20 of the present invention is depicted. In this embodiment,
connector
20 is constructed in a manner which is virtually identical to the construction
detailed above and shown in FIGURES 1-7. For this reason, FIGURES 8-12
incorporate the same reference numerals wherein the identical structural
elements
are depicted. Furthermore, the detailed discussion provided above regarding
the
embodiment of connector 20 shown in FIGURES 1-7 is hereby repeated and
incorporated by reference.
As shown in FIGURES 8-12, this alternate embodiment of dual/duplex
conduit/cable connector 20 differs only in the construction employed for
forming
enlarged portal 30 of front end 22 of connector 20. In this embodiment,
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enlarged portal 30 incorporates divider wall 48 formed therein, effectively
forming
two separate and independent holdings zones for flexible metal conduits and/or
armor or metal clad cables 25 and 26.
As depicted, divider wall 48 is constructed substantially midway in enlarged
portal 30 of front end 22 in order to establish two substantially identically
dimensioned holding or receiving zones for flexible metal conduits and/or
armor or
metal clad cables 25 and 26. In this way, once flexible metal conduits and/or
armor clad or metal cables 25 and 26 are mounted and securely affixed to
connector 20, assurance is provided that each of flexible metal conduit and/or
armor or clad cable 25 and 26 are completely independent of each other and are
incapable of contacting each other.
In this way, electrical independence of each flexible metal conduit and/or
armor or metal clad cable is assured and continuous, trouble-free electrical
transmission and operation is provided. Although the previous embodiment
detailed above and shown in FIGURES 1-7 effectively provides the desired
identical electrical independence of each flexible metal conduit and/or armor
or
metal clad cable mounted therein, this alternate embodiment with divider wall
48
formed therein provides an enhanced level of assurance that contact between
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the flexible metal conduits and/or armored or metal clad cables is impossible
to
occur.
As is evident from the depiction provided in FIGURES 11 and 12, by
employing this alternate embodiment of the present invention, individual
flexible
metal conduits and/or armor or metal clad cables 25 and 26 are quickly and
easily
affixed to dual/duplex conduit/cable connector 20 for enabling electrical
wires 50
mounted in the individual flexible metal conduits and/or armored or metal clad
cables 25 and 26 to be combined and carried through a single, elongated, solid
or
rigid tube/conduit 27, with complete assurance that electrical wires 50 of
each
flexible metal conduit and/or armored or metal clad cable remain completely
independent. This desirable result is easily achieved using this embodiment of
dual/duplex conduit/cable connector 20.
In FIGURES 13-18, a further alternate embodiment of the present invention
is depicted. In this embodiment, dual/duplex conduit/cable connector 20 is
depicted having a construction similar to the embodiment of connector 20
detailed
above and shown in FIGURES 1-12. However, as detailed below, instead of
incorporating holding brackets for securely maintaining flexible metal
conduits
and/or armored or metal clad cables 25 and 26 in position, this embodiment
incorporates locking rings or sleeves 60 constructed for receiving and
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lockingly retaining the desired flexible metal conduits and/or armored or
metal clad
cables 25 and 26 in the precisely desired position. As detailed below,
regardless
of the embodiment employed, the identical goals and objectives of enabling
flexible metal conduits and/or armored or metal clad cables 25 and 26 to be
quickly
and easily secured to connector 20 with the entire assembly being mounted to
any
desired solid or rigid metal tube/conduit 27 is achieved.
As shown in FIGURES 13-18, in this alternate embodiment, dual/duplex
conduit/cable connector 20 comprises body member 21, which incorporates
enlarged front end 22, and rear end 23. In addition, enlarged front end 22
incorporates enlarged portal zone 30 formed therein which comprises receiving
zones 55 and 56. Furthermore, receiving zones 55 and 56 each incorporate
separate, substantially cylindrically shaped locking rings or sleeves 60.
In the preferred construction, each substantially cylindrically shaped locking
ring/sleeve 60 incorporates a plurality of finger members 61 radially
extending
inwardly from the outer surface of locking ring/sleeve 60. By employing this
construction, flexible metal conduits and/or armored or metal clad cables 25
and
26 are inserted into receiving zones 55 and 56 of enlarged portal 30 of front
end
22, enabling finger members 61 to lockingly contact and engage
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the outer surface of flexible metal conduits and/or armored or metal clad
cables 25
and 26.
In this regard, as flexible metal conduit and/or armored or metal clad cable
25 is telescopically inserted into locking ring/sleeve 60 of receiving zone
55, the
outer surface thereof is advanced into contact and engagement with finger
members 61 of locking ring/sleeve 60. As flexible metal conduit and/or armor
or
metal clad cable 25 is telescopically advanced into further engagement with
locking ring/sleeve 60, finger members 61 arcuately pivot or flex for enabling
flexible metal conduit and/or armored or metal clad cable 25 to move inwardly,
while lockingly engaging the outer surface of flexible metal conduit and/or
armored
or metal clad cable 25 to prevent its removal from receiving zone 55.
In this way, once flexible metal conduit and/or armored or metal clad cable
25 has been telescopically advanced completely into receiving zone 55, cable
25
is securely maintained in locked engagement therein. In addition, electrical
wires
50 contained in flexible metal conduit and/or armored or metal clad cable 25
are
advanced through connector 20 and solid or rigid metal tubing/conduit 27
secured
thereto for enabling wires 50 to be fed and connected to a desired location.
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In completing the desired assembly, flexible metal conduit and/or armored
or metal clad cable 26 is telescopically inserted into locking ring/sleeve 60
of
receiving zone 56 in order to enable the outer surface thereof to be advanced
into
contact and engagement with finger members 61 of locking ring/sleeve 60. As
flexible metal conduit and/or armor or metal clad cable 26 is telescopically
advanced into further engagement with locking ring/sleeve 60, finger members
61
arcuately pivot or flex for enabling flexible metal conduit and/or armored
metal clad
cable 26 to move inwardly, while lockingly engaging the outer surface of
flexible
metal conduit and/or armored or metal clad cable 26 to prevent its removal
from
receiving zone 56.
Once flexible metal conduit and/or armored metal clad cable 26 has been
telescopically advanced completely into receiving zone 56, cable 26 is
securely
maintained in locked engagement therein. In addition, electrical wires 50
contained in flexible metal conduit and/or armored or metal clad cable 26 are
advanced through connector 20 and solid or rigid metal tubing/conduit 27, for
enabling wires 50 to be fed and connected to the desired location. In this
way, the
desired electrical connection is quickly and easily achieved and the goals of
the
present invention are realized.
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By referring to FIGURES 19-28, along with the following detailed disclosure,
a still further alternate embodiment of the present invention can best be
understood. In this still further alternate embodiment, dual/duplex
conduit/cable
connector 20 is constructed in a manner generally similar with the embodiments
detailed above, with similar reference numerals being used to refer to similar
components. In this regard, conduit/cable connector 20 comprises a body
member 21, front end 22, and rear end 23.
In this embodiment, dual/duplex conduit/cable connector 20 is constructed
for enabling two rigid conduits or solid tubing conduits 70 and 71, such as
electrical
metal tubings (EMT), to be mounted in front end 22 of connector 20, with a
single
rigid conduit or solid tubing conduit (EMT) 73 being mounted at the opposed
end of
the connector 20. Typically, rigid conduits 70 and 71 comprise smaller
diameters
when compared to rigid conduit 73.
In most typical installations in which electrical wires are installed in
various
locations for delivering power to a wide variety of end products as well as
for a wide
variety of purposes, it is often required for a plurality of wires mounted in
a single
rigid conduit to be separated into two smaller bundles of wires for reaching
alternate locations.
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Presently, no connector exists in the industry for enabling a construction of
this nature to be easily achieved. Instead, installers are required to install
electrical junction boxes in which the wires are mounted and separated for
distribution into different conduits. However, by employing the present
invention,
use of such electrical junction boxes is completely eliminated.
In FIGURES 19-22, this embodiment of dual/duplex conduit/cable connector
20 is depicted with solid or rigid tubing/conduits 70 and 71 securely mounted
to
front end 22 of connector 20, while solid or rigid metal tubing/conduit 73 is
shown
securely affixed to rear end 23 of connector 20. As a result, as shown in
FIGURES 19-22, duplex conduit/cable connector 20 of the present invention is
in
its fully assembled configuration.
As is evident from a review of these Figures, as well as FIGURE 22 in
particular, duplex conduit/cable connector 20 of the present invention enables
two,
smaller diameter, separate and independent solid or rigid tubings/conduits 70
and
71 to be quickly and easily securely affixed to connector 20 for enabling the
electrical conducting wires retained within tubings/conduits 70 and 71 to be
easily
carried through solid or rigid tube/conduit 73. In this way, the electrical
wires
retained within solid tubing/conduit 73 are quickly and easily interconnected
with
and transferred into two separate and independent, smaller diameter,
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solid or rigid tubes/conduits 70 and 71 for achieving installation ease,
convenience, and efficiency.
In the preferred construction of this embodiment of the present invention, as
fully depicted in FIGURES 19-28, dual or duplex conduit/cable connector 20 is
constructed with a front end 22 incorporating two portals or receiving zones
75 and
76 formed therein, with rear end 23 of connector 20 incorporating enlarged
portal
or receiving zone 77. In addition, the diameters of portals/receiving zones 75
and
76 are constructed for enabling any desired, smaller diameter solid or rigid
tubings/conduits 70 and 71 to be quickly and easily inserted therein.
Although front end 22 of connector 20 may be constructed for cooperating
with any desired diameter of solid or rigid tubings/conduits 70 and 71, it has
been
found that tubings/conduits 70 and 71 preferably comprise a diameter ranging
between about 0.5 inches and 0.75 inches. In addition, rear end 23 of
connector
20 is preferably constructed for enabling solid or rigid tubing/conduits 73 to
be
mounted therein which comprise a diameter ranging between about 0.75 inches
and 1.0 inches.
In a typical installation, dual/duplex conduit/cable connector 20 is securely
mounted to a desired solid or rigid tube/conduit 73 by telescopicly
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inserting the end of tube/conduit 73 into portal receiving zone 77 for
engagement
with connector 20. Once tube/conduit 73 is fully inserted into portal
receiving
zone 77, tube/conduit 73 is securely affixed to connector 20 by rotating
locking
screw 80, until screw 80 is securely frictionally engaged with the outer
surface of
tube/conduit 23, thereby preventing its withdrawal from connector 20.
Similarly, solid or rigid tubing/conduit 70 is secured to dual/duplex
conduit/cable connector 20 by telescopically advancing the end of tube/conduit
70
into portal/receiving zone 75 of connector 20. Once tube/conduit 70 is fully
inserted into portal/receiving zone 75, locking screw 81 of connector 20 is
threadedly advanced into contact with tube/conduit 70 for assuring the secure
affixation of tube/conduit 70 with connector 20.
The installation is completed by telescopicly advancing solid or rigid
tubing/conduit 71 into portal/receiving zone 76 of connector 20 until
tubing/conduit
71 is fully inserted therein. Then, locking screw 82 is threadedly advanced
into
contact with tubing/conduit 71 for assuring its secure affixation to connector
20.
In the preferred construction of this embodiment of the present invention,
connector 20 is constructed with portals/receiving zones 75 and 76 comprising
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separate and dependent passageways for enabling the desired tubings/conduits
to be inserted and fully retained therein, with portals/receiving zone 75 and
76
each separately peripherally surrounding and enclosing tubings/conduits 70 and
71. In addition, connector 20 also incorporates rigid, panel 85 extending
between
and interconnecting portals/receiving zones 75 and 76.
In its preferred construction, rigid panel 85 extends horizontally the entire
length of portals/receiving zone 75 and 76, effectively providing a stiffening
and
reinforcing panel member for each portal/receiving zone. It has been found
that
the incorporation of rigid panel 85 is highly advantageous for maintaining
each
portal/receiving zone with its desired diameter and preventing any unwanted
buckling or ovalation of the portals/receiving zones during the secure
affixation of
tubings/conduits 70 and 71 therein.
Finally, in the preferred construction of this embodiment of the present
invention, connector 20 preferably incorporates removable cover plate 90 for
enabling the installation and inspection of the electrical wires passing
through
connector 20. As best seen in FIGURE 23, removable cover plate 90 is posi-
tioned between front end 22 and portals/receiving zones 75 and 76 which form a
part thereof, and rear end 23 and portal/receiving zone 77. As depicted, cover
plate 90 preferably comprises the entire upper portion of this mid-section of
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-31 -
body 21 of connector 20, but may comprise any desired alternate size and
shape.
In addition, in order to enable cover plate 90 to be quickly and easily
removed from body 21 of connector 20 as well as quickly replaced when the
desired, cover plate 90 incorporates through hole 91 which is positioned for
overlying alignment with post member 92 which is mounted in body 21 of
connector 20 in the central section thereof. In addition, the terminating end
of
post member 92 incorporates a threaded zone, which enables set screw 93 to
inserted into through hole 91 and threadedly engaged in the threaded zone of
post
92, for securely affixing cover plate 90 directly to body 21 of connector 20
when
desired.
During the installation of the electrical wires through connector 20, it is
often
desirable to obtain access to the interior of body 21 of connector 20 for
being
certain that the wires contained within larger diameter tubing/conduit 73 are
properly positioned in the desired smaller diameter tubings/conduits 70 and
71.
As a result, during the installation of the electrical wires, cover plate 90
may be
removed to enable the installer to both view and assist in placing the
electrical
wires in the precisely required position. Then, once the electrical wires have
been
properly positioned, the final assembly of connector 20 is completed and
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cover plate 90 is returned to its original position, closing and sealing
connector 20.
Furthermore, if desired, cover plate 90 is also employed for assisting in the
inspection of the position and location of the electrical wires contained
therein. As
a result, once installation has been completed, anyone is able to access the
interior of body 21 of connector 20 for determining the precise location and
position
of any particular electrical wires. By merely removing cover plate 90 from its
secure position, the inspection can be quickly and easily achieved and, once
completed, cover 20 is returned to its original position for final
installation.
As is evident from the foregoing detailed discussion, each embodiment of
dual/duplex conduit/cable connector 20 of the present invention is constructed
for
enabling flexible metal conduits, armored or metal clad cables, and/or rigid
electrical tubes/conduits to be quickly and easily secured to connector 20
with the
entire assembly being mounted to any desired solid or rigid tube/conduit. By
employing the present invention, this desired mounted interengagement is
achieved quickly and easily, in an extremely cost efficient manner. As a
result,
prior art difficulties and drawbacks are fully overcome and an easily achieved
assembly is realized.
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It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above, among those made
apparent from the preceding description, are efficiently attained and, since
certain
changes may be made in the above article without departing from the scope of
the
invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description
or shown
in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a
limiting sense.
It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover
all
of the generic and specific features of the invention herein described, and
all
statements of the scope of the invention which, as a matter of language, might
be
said to fall therebetween.
Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by
Letters Patent is:
