US 10,096,981 B2Granted

Integrated piping conduit with adaptor device and method

AssigneeQuick Fitting, Inc.

InventorsDavid B. Crompton, Libardo Ochoa Dias

Life of this patent

Estimating the term…

Loading patent…

Abstract

Embodiments of an integrated piping conduit in accordance with aspects of the present invention include a push-to-connect fitting integrated with an adaptor device and associated methods that facilitate the re-use of push fittings without damage to the fitting elements or the pipe, while also facilitating connection to boxes such as electrical boxes in a manner that meets requirements and saves time for professionals dealing with the otherwise challenging management of multiple wires, cables and/or connections. Embodiments can incorporate an integrated release pusher and locking mechanism that allows for quick locking and unlocking of piping elements within a fitting. Embodiments can also include an adaptor having integrated head and body portions, and an ear member extending at least partially radially outwardly and at least partially axially outwardly from the outer surface of the body portion.

Claims18

Dependent claims

A conduit device, comprising:

a fitting comprising an interior wall, an exterior wall, a first end wall and a second end wall, wherein the interior wall defines a cavity extending axially through the fitting;
at least one sealing member positioned within the fitting cavity, wherein the at least one sealing member comprises a substantially ring-shaped body forming an opening extending axially therethrough;
a fastening ring positioned within the fitting cavity, wherein the fastening ring comprises a substantially ring-shaped body forming an opening extending axially therethrough;
and
an adaptor comprising a head portion with an interior surface and an exterior surface, wherein the adaptor further comprises a body portion with an interior wall and an exterior wall, wherein the body portion is monolithically formed with and extends from the head portion, wherein the head portion interior surface and body portion interior wall define an opening extending through the adaptor along an adaptor axis, wherein the fitting is removably engageable with the adaptor head portion, wherein the adaptor further comprises at least one ear member monolithically formed with and extending at least radially outwardly from a portion of the outer surface of the adaptor body portion for insertion through an opening in a peripheral wall of a utility box, wherein the at least one ear member comprises an outer end and wherein the radial distance from the adaptor axis to the at least one ear member outer end is larger than the radial distance from the adaptor axis to the head portion exterior surface, and wherein the at least one ear member is rotatable with the adaptor such that the at least one ear member outer end engages an inner wall of the utility box upon rotation of the adaptor when engaged with the fitting.

2 more elements

A conduit device, comprising:

a fitting comprising an interior wall, an exterior wall, a first end wall and a second end wall, wherein the interior wall defines a cavity extending axially through the fitting, wherein the fitting further comprises a wedge portion monolithically formed with the fitting and a collar portion monolithically formed with the fitting, wherein the wedge portion comprises an external surface, and wherein the collar portion extends radially outwardly of the fitting exterior wall and radially inwardly of the fitting interior wall, wherein the collar portion comprises an axially inner surface and an axially outer surface, wherein the collar portion axially inner surface comprises a pipe engaging portion within the fitting cavity, and wherein the collar portion axially outer surface comprises an adaptor engaging surface;
and
an adaptor comprising a head portion with an interior surface and an exterior surface, wherein the adaptor further has a body portion with an interior wall and an exterior wall, wherein the body portion is monolithically formed with and extends from the head portion, wherein the head portion interior surface and body portion interior wall define an opening extending through the adaptor along an adaptor axis, wherein the adaptor head portion is removably engageable with the adaptor engaging surface of the collar portion of the fitting, wherein the adaptor further comprises at least one ear member monolithically formed with and extending at least radially outwardly from a portion of the outer surface of the adaptor body portion for insertion through an opening in a peripheral wall of a utility box, wherein the at least one ear member comprises an outer end and wherein the radial distance from the adaptor axis to the at least one ear member outer end is larger than the radial distance from the adaptor axis to the head portion exterior surface, and wherein the at least one ear member is rotatable with the adaptor such that the at least one ear member outer end engages an inner wall of the utility box upon rotation of the adaptor when engaged with the fitting.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 15/810,217Filed 13 Nov 2017 · continuation
Priority: 25 Jul 2014
Published: US 2018/0090919 A129 Mar 2018
Granted: 9 Oct 2018
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification10 codes

H02G 3/083
Bases, casings or covers: inlets
F16L 37/086
Combined with automatic locking: by means of latching members pushed radially by spring-like elements
H02G 3/0616
Joints for connecting lengths of protective tubing or channels, to each other or to casings, e.g. to distribution boxes; Ensuring electrical…:…
H02G 3/0625
Joints for connecting tubing to casing: with means for preventing disengagement of conductors

Family

Application62/029,012Us provisional application · filed 25 Jul 2014
Application14/806,828Parent of this continuation · filed 23 Jul 2015
US 2018/0090919 A1Pre-grant publication · published 29 Mar 2018
US 9,819,165 B2Parent of this continuation
US 2016/0025253 A1Published application
US 10,096,981 B2This patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.