Catheter fitting

Abstract

A fitting for an electrical conduit includes a fitting body having first and second open ends, and an inner surface defining a passage adapted to receive a segment of the electrical conduit. The fitting body includes a connection portion configured to receive and connect to an electrical conduit during a connection process. The retainer is located in the passage of the connection portion of the fitting body. The holder includes teeth adapted to engage with the electrical conduit section received in the channel when the electrical conduit is inserted into the connection portion during connection. A guide is provided in the passage of the fitting body. The guide is configured to place the electrical conduit section in the center of the fitting body during connection prior to the fixture engaging the electrical conduit.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 63 / 363,405, filed on April 22, 2022, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] The present disclosure relates generally to fittings for electrical conduit. Background Art

[0004] Electrical conduit is tubing used to protect and route electrical wiring in a building or other structure. Traditional electrical conduit raceway systems are constructed by connecting conduit segments together using couplers, elbows, and conduit fittings. Traditional assembly methods rely on threaded fittings to connect conduit. This method of using threads can be time-consuming and expensive. Accessories used for electrical conduit include, but are not limited to: box connectors, which are used to connect conduit to a junction box or other electrical box; couplers, which are used to connect electrical conduit segments (pieces) to each other when installing a run of conduit; and conduit bodies (e.g., ), used to interconnect electrical conduit segments, to provide a pulling path in a run of conduit, to allow more bends to be made in a specific section of conduit, to save space where a full-size bend radius is impractical or impossible, and / or to split a run of conduit into multiple directions. Summary of the invention

[0005] In one aspect, a fitting for electrical conduit generally includes a fitting body having a first open end and a second open end, and an inner surface defining a channel adapted to receive a segment of electrical conduit. The fitting body includes a connecting portion configured to receive and connect to the electrical conduit during a connection process. A retainer is located in the channel of the connecting portion of the fitting body. The retainer includes teeth adapted to engage the segment of electrical conduit received in the channel when the electrical conduit is inserted into the connecting portion during a connection process. A guide is provided in the channel of the fitting body. The guide is configured to center the segment of electrical conduit in the fitting body before the retainer engages the electrical conduit during a connection process.

[0006] In another aspect, a fitting for electrical conduit generally includes a fitting body having a first open end and a second open end, and an inner surface defining a passage adapted to receive a segment of electrical conduit. The fitting body includes a connecting portion configured to receive and connect to the electrical conduit during a connection process. A retainer is located in the passage of the connecting portion of the fitting body. The retainer includes teeth having sharp edges adapted to cut into the segment of electrical conduit received in the passage when the electrical conduit is inserted into the connecting portion during a connection process. The teeth prevent removal of the electrical conduit immediately after the electrical conduit is inserted into the passage of the connecting portion of the fitting body and passes through the retainer. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] Figure 1 is a perspective view of an electrical conduit fitting showing conduit received in the fitting;

[0008] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A cross section of a perspective view in ;

[0009] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 A side view of the accessory in FIG.

[0010] Figure 4 yes Figure 1 Exploded diagram of

[0011] Figure 5 is an enlarged perspective view of a guide of the accessory; and

[0012] Figure 6 is an enlarged perspective view of the retaining ring of the fitting. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0013] In general, the present disclosure is directed to an electrical conduit fitting designed and constructed to couple with at least one segment of electrical conduit by at least one of a friction / interference or pressure connection. The fitting includes at least one, but not necessarily each, of the following: a conduit retainer for retaining the segment of conduit in the fitting; a guide / alignment structure for axially aligning the segment of conduit in the fitting prior to engagement by the conduit retainer; a guide retainer for securing the guide / alignment structure to the fitting; and a gasket for sealing the connection between the conduit and the fitting. Additional components of the fitting having one or more additional features may also be included without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0014] Reference Figure 1One embodiment of an electrical conduit fitting constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure is generally indicated by the reference numeral 10. Generally speaking, the electrical conduit fitting 10 takes the form of a coupling designed and constructed for interconnecting segments of electrical conduit C when installing a line of conduit. It should be understood that the electrical conduit fittings can be of other types, including but not limited to box connectors and conduit bodies, and the teachings herein regarding the illustrated couplings are equally applicable to other types of conduit fittings that connect to segments of electrical conduit via a friction / pressure connection. Conduits that can be connected using the fitting 10 include but are not limited to rigid metal conduit (RMC) and intermediate metal conduit (IMC).

[0015] Still refer to Figure 1-Figure 4 , the electrical conduit fitting 10 includes a generally cylindrical fitting body 12 having opposed first and second open ends 14, 16, and an inner surface 18 defining an interior passage extending axially along a longitudinal axis LA of the fitting body between the first and second open ends thereof. A central transverse plane CP ( Figure 3 ) intersects the longitudinal axis LA at a substantially orthogonal angle at the mid-length of the body 12. The fitting body 12 includes a first connection portion 20 and a second connection portion 22 adjacent to the respective first and second open ends 14, 16, respectively, and a central portion 24 disposed between and interconnecting the first and second connection portions 20, 22. The connection portions 20, 22 have maximum inner and outer diameters that are greater than the respective maximum inner and outer diameters of the central portion 24. Each connection portion 20, 22 has a plurality of transition portions that step down to the reduced inner and outer diameters of the central portion 24. An annular shoulder 29 protrudes radially inwardly from the inner surface of the central portion 24 of the fitting body 12. As will be explained in more detail below, the shoulder 29 serves as a stop for limiting the insertion of the conduit C into the fitting body 12. In the illustrated embodiment, the shoulder 29 is disposed at the center of the fitting body 12 on the central transverse plane CP. However, the shoulder 29 may be located at other locations without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Additionally, multiple shoulders 29 may be provided on the fitting body 12. For example, a shoulder dedicated to each connection portion 20, 22 of the fitting body 12 may be used. Thus, in the illustrated embodiment, two shoulders may be used. The fitting body 12 may be formed of a metal, such as aluminum, steel, or other metal. However, the fitting body 12 may be formed of other materials without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0016] The guide 28, the guide holder 30, the fixing ring 32 and the gasket 34 are received in each of the first connection portion 20 and the second connection portion 22 of the fitting body 12. Figure 3As shown, the guide 28, the guide retainer 30, the retaining ring 32, and the gasket 34 are generally arranged in the fitting body 12 as mirror images relative to the central transverse plane (CP). The guide 28, the guide retainer 30, the retaining ring 32, and the gasket 34 can cooperate together to facilitate a secure connection between the conduit C and the fitting 10. Each of the guide 28, the guide retainer 30, the retaining ring 32, and the gasket 34 is generally annular (e.g., has an annular shape) that defines a generally axially aligned axial opening and is generally axially aligned with the longitudinal axis LA of the fitting body 12. Alternatively, at least one or all of the guide 28, the guide retainer 30, the retaining ring 32, and the gasket 34 can have an open or discontinuous annular shape.

[0017] Reference Figure 3 , the guide 28, the guide retainer 30 and the retaining ring 32 are disposed in first recesses 36 of the first and second connection portions 20, 22, and the gasket 34 is received in second recesses 38 of the first and second connection portions. The second recess 38 is located axially inward of the first recess 36, such that the second recess is located closer to the central transverse plane CP of the fitting body 12. The second recess 38 is also radially inwardly spaced from the first recess 36, such that the first recess defines a wider inner diameter of the connection portions 20, 22, while the second recess defines a narrower inner diameter of the connection portions. The inner diameter defined by the central portion 24 is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the conduit C to provide at least one of a clearance or an interference / friction fit between the fitting body 12 and the conduit C. The first recess 36 and the second recess 38 in the connection portions 20, 22 both define an inner diameter that is larger than the inner diameter of the central portion 24 in the fitting body 12.

[0018] The guide holder 30 engages with the inner surface of the first recess 36 of the connecting portion 20, 22, and the guide 28 is radially spaced inwardly from the guide holder and engages with the inner surface of the guide holder. The guide holder 30 can be attached to the fitting body 12, for example, by an adhesive or a mechanical fastener. The guide 28 is fixed to the inner surface of the guide holder 30 so that the connection between the guide holder and the guide fixes the guide to the fitting body 12. Therefore, the guide 28 can be attached to the guide holder 30 by an adhesive or a mechanical fastener. The guide 28 and the guide holder 30 are generally disposed at the location of the first end 14 and the second end 16 of the fitting body 12. The guide 28 extends axially through its respective guide holder 30 and axially through the respective first end 14 and the second end 16 of the fitting body 12. Therefore, the guide 28 defines the longitudinal ends of the fitting 10. However, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure, the guide 28 may be flush with the first end 14 and the second end 16 of the fitting body 12, or recessed axially inward from the first and second ends of the fitting body. The retaining ring 32 is located between the guide 28 and the guide retainer 30 and the gasket 34. In the illustrated embodiment, each retaining ring 32 is sandwiched between the edge of the first recess 36 and the guide retainer 30. The retaining ring 32 can be attached to the fitting body 12, for example, by an adhesive or a mechanical fastener. The gasket 34 is disposed axially inward from the retaining ring 32. The gasket 34 can be secured in the second recess 38 by an adhesive or a friction fit.

[0019] Reference Figure 3-Figure 5 Each guide 28 includes a sleeve body 39 ( Figure 5 ), the sleeve body includes a plurality of annular projections 40 extending radially inwardly from the inner surface of the sleeve body. The annular projections 40 are axially spaced along the sleeve body 39. In the illustrated embodiment, each projection 40 includes an inclined ramp surface on the outer side of the projection. The ramp surface can be used to guide or funnel the conduit C into the fitting 10 to center the conduit along the longitudinal axis LA within the fitting. Figure 3 As shown, there are three protrusions 40 on each guide 28. However, more or fewer protrusions 40 may be used without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. An annular rim 42 on the outer surface of the sleeve body 39 extends around the middle end of the guide 28. The annular rim 42 defines a catch for positioning the guide 28 relative to the guide holder 30. The guide 28 can be formed of any suitable material. In one embodiment, the guide 28 is formed of plastic.

[0020] Each guide holder 30 includes a sleeve body having an inner surface and an outer surface. The inner diameter of the guide holder 30 is designed to accommodate the guide 28 in the guide holder. Therefore, the inner diameter of the sleeve body of the guide holder 30 is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the sleeve body 29 of the guide 28. An annular lip 44 is formed near the middle end of the guide holder 30. The annular edge 42 of the guide 28 is configured to be placed on the annular lip 44 of the guide holder 30 to position the guide on the guide holder. Therefore, the engagement between the lip 44 and the edge 42 limits the guide 28 from moving out of the ends 14, 16 of the fitting body 12. In addition, an annular protrusion 46 extends radially outward from the outer surface of the sleeve body of the guide holder 30. The annular protrusion 46 is accommodated in the third recess 48 in the connecting portion 20, 22. The annular projection 46 defines an engagement surface that extends perpendicularly from the outer surface of the sleeve body of the guide retainer 30. The engagement surface of the annular projection 46 seats on the edge of the third recess 48 to limit the guide retainer 30 from moving out of the ends 14, 16 of the fitting body 12 along the longitudinal axis LA. The guide retainer 30 can be formed of any suitable material. In one embodiment, the guide retainer 30 is rubber.

[0021] Reference Figure 3 and Figure 6 , each retaining ring 32 includes an annular ring body 50 having opposite planar side surfaces 52, an inner surface 54, and an outer surface 56 opposite the inner surface. A plurality of teeth 58 are circumferentially spaced around the inner surface 54 and extend radially inward from the inner surface. The teeth 58 also extend radially inward at an angle so that the plane of each tooth extends at an angle to the opposite side surface 52 of the ring body 50. In particular, the retaining ring 32 is disposed in the fitting body 12 so that the teeth 58 protrude toward the center plane CP of the fitting 10. As will be explained in more detail below, this configures the teeth 58 to bite into the conduit C and prevent the conduit from being pulled out of the fitting 10 after it has been inserted. In the illustrated embodiment, there are three teeth 58 on the retaining ring 32. However, more or fewer teeth 58 may be used without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In addition, although a single retaining ring 32 is shown for each connection portion 20, 22, multiple retaining rings 32 may be stacked in parallel on one or both connection portions to provide enhanced clamping capabilities for the fitting 10. Each retaining ring 32 may be broadly considered as a retainer.

[0022] Reference Figure 6, each tooth 58 has a generally trapezoidal shape including a concave side surface and a top surface. The edge between the concave side surface and the top surface defines a sharp edge for at least partially cutting into or biting into the catheter, which will be explained in more detail below. The teeth 58 can have other configurations without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In one embodiment, the retaining ring 32 including the teeth 58 is formed of metal. However, any suitable material can be used in the construction of the retaining ring 32.

[0023] Reference Figure 3 During the connection process, each gasket 32 ​​forms a desired and suitable air-tight and / or liquid-tight seal with the segment of conduit C inserted into the fitting 10. Each gasket 32 ​​can be formed of a suitable polymer (such as rubber) or other material for forming a desired and suitable air-tight and / or liquid-tight seal with the segment of conduit inserted into the fitting during the connection process. It should be understood that in one or more embodiments, the connection portion 20, 22 of the fitting 10 can include more than one gasket 32. In addition, the gasket 32 ​​can be omitted.

[0024] The teeth 58 of the retaining ring 32 are configured to apply a clamping force to a segment of electrical conduit C (e.g., non-threaded and threaded electrical conduit) inserted into the fitting 10 after the guide 28 axially aligns or centers the electrical conduit segment in the fitting. In particular, the segment of electrical conduit C engages with the teeth 58, causing the teeth to at least partially cut or bite into the conduit. This engagement between the retaining ring 32 and the conduit C holds the conduit in place in the fitting 10. If the user desires, the clamping force of the retaining ring 32 can be overcome by applying sufficient extraction force on the segment of electrical conduit C to remove the segment of electrical conduit from the fitting 10. The engaging components of the fitting 10 (i.e., the guide 28, the retaining ring 32, and the gasket 34) allow the fitting to be used with electrical conduits having longitudinal ends of constant diameter (e.g., non-threaded conduits) or electrical conduits having threaded ends. However, as can be seen, no threaded components are used in the fitting 10. Therefore, the time and effort required to achieve a secure connection between the fitting 10 and the conduit C is reduced.

[0025] In use, the guide 28 centers the segment of electrical conduit C as the conduit is inserted into one of the open ends 14, 16 of the fitting body 12 of the fitting 10 to assist the user in forming the conduit line. Depending on the size, the conduit C can be inserted into the fitting body 12 manually or by using a tool with a push-assist mechanism. Next, the conduit C is moved past the retaining ring 32. The angled teeth 58 are angled apart from the ends 14, 16 of the fitting body 12, which further facilitates the insertion of the conduit C into the fitting 10. The conduit C can then be moved past the gasket 34, where the gasket forms a gas / liquid seal with the conduit. The insertion of the conduit C into the fitting body 12 is ultimately limited by engagement with the annular shoulder 29 on the fitting body 12. The annular shoulder 29 also facilitates positioning the segment of electrical conduit C within the fitting 10 so that the user knows how deep the segment of electrical conduit is inserted into the fitting (which also indicates the distance between the two segments of electrical conduit in the fitting when the two conduits are inserted). This maximum insertion depth and / or the distance between the ends of the two segments of electrical conduit C is defined by the width of the shoulder 29. The angled teeth 58 on the retaining ring 32 are positioned to prevent the conduit C from being removed from the ends 14, 16 of the fitting body 12. To this end, the initial force of pulling the conduit out of the passage in the fitting body 12 is resisted by the teeth 58 biting into the conduit C. Therefore, the fitting 10 can be connected to the segment of electrical conduit C by simply inserting the conduit into one end of the fitting. Additionally or alternatively, a press can be used to connect the fitting 10 to the conduit C, the press including jaws that radially compress and mechanically deform the connecting portions 20, 22 of the fitting body 12 in a radially inward direction to further facilitate the engagement and penetration of the teeth 58 of the retaining ring 32 into the segment of electrical conduit.

[0026] Each of the embodiments of electrical conduit described herein can be designed and configured to meet the standards set forth in UL 514B.

[0027] Modifications and variations may be made to the disclosed embodiments without departing from the scope of the present disclosure as defined in the following claims.

[0028] When introducing elements of the present disclosure or embodiments thereof, the articles "a," "an," "the," and "said" are intended to indicate that there are one or more of the elements. The terms "comprising," "including," and "having" are intended to be inclusive, meaning that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements.

[0029] As various changes could be made in the above constructions, products and methods without departing from the scope of the disclosure, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description and shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Claims

1. An accessory for an electrical conduit, comprising: a fitting body having a first open end and a second open end, and an inner surface defining a passage adapted to receive a segment of electrical conduit, the fitting body including a connecting portion configured to receive and connect to the electrical conduit during a connection process; a retainer positioned in the passageway of the connecting portion of the fitting body, the retainer including teeth adapted to engage the electrical conduit segment received in the passageway when the electrical conduit is inserted into the connecting portion during the connecting process; and A guide is positioned in the passage of the fitting body, the guide being configured to center the electrical conduit segment in the fitting body during the connection process before the retainer engages the electrical conduit.

2. The accessory according to claim 1, wherein: The fittings described are not threaded.

3. The accessory according to claim 1, wherein: The retainer includes a retainer ring including a ring body, and the teeth protrude radially inwardly from the ring body at a certain angle.

4. The accessory according to claim 3, wherein: The fixing ring is metal.

5. The accessory according to claim 1, wherein: The guide includes a cannula body including a plurality of projections extending radially inwardly from an inner surface of the cannula body.

6. The accessory according to claim 5, wherein: The guide is plastic.

7. The accessory of claim 5, further comprising a guide retainer located in the channel of the accessory body, the guide retainer securing the guide to the accessory body.

8. The fitting of claim 7, further comprising a gasket received in the connecting portion of the fitting body and configured to form a seal with the electrical conduit segment during the connecting process.

9. The accessory according to claim 1, wherein: The fitting body defines an internal stop configured to prevent the electrical conduit segment from extending past the internal stop.

10. The accessory of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of fasteners arranged in parallel in the connecting portion.

11. The accessory according to claim 1, wherein: The connection portion includes a first connection portion and the fitting body further includes a second connection portion, the second connection portion being arranged as a mirror image relative to a central transverse plane of the fitting body.

12. An accessory for an electrical conduit, comprising: a fitting body having a first open end and a second open end, and an inner surface defining a passage adapted to receive a segment of electrical conduit, the fitting body including a connecting portion configured to receive and connect to the electrical conduit during a connection process; as well as a retainer, the retainer being located in the channel of the connecting portion of the fitting body, the retainer including teeth with sharp edges, the sharp edges being adapted to cut into the electrical conduit segment accommodated in the channel when the electrical conduit is inserted into the connecting portion during the connecting process, the teeth preventing the electrical conduit from being removed immediately after the electrical conduit is inserted into the channel of the connecting portion of the fitting body and passes through the retainer.

13. The accessory according to claim 12, wherein: The fittings described have no threads.

14. The accessory according to claim 12, wherein: The retainer includes a retainer ring including a ring body, and the teeth protrude radially inwardly from the ring body at a certain angle.

15. The accessory according to claim 14, wherein: The fixing ring is metal.

16. The accessory of claim 12, further comprising a plurality of fasteners arranged in parallel in the connecting portion.

17. The fitting of claim 12, further comprising a gasket received in the connecting portion of the fitting body and configured to form a seal with the electrical conduit segment during the connecting process.

18. The accessory of claim 12, wherein: The fitting body defines an internal stop configured to prevent the electrical conduit segment from extending past the internal stop.

19. The accessory of claim 12, wherein: The connection portion includes a first connection portion and the fitting body further includes a second connection portion, the second connection portion being arranged as a mirror image relative to a central transverse plane of the fitting body.

20. The accessory of claim 19, wherein: The fitting body includes a central portion disposed between and interconnecting the first and second connecting portions, the connecting portions having maximum inner and outer diameters greater than respective maximum inner and outer diameters of the central portion.

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