US 10,240,694 B2 · Co-molded sealing ring for use in an electrical fitting, and a raintight compression connector and raintight compression coupler incorporating a co-molded sealing ring

Abstract

A co-molded sealing ring for use in an electrical fitting has an uncompressed state and a compressed state and includes a first segment formed from thermoplastic elastomer and a second segment co-molded to the first segment, formed from a medium-density polyethylene material. A space formed between the first segment and an inner surface of an electrical fitting connector body when the ring is in the uncompressed state, is at least partially filled by a portion of the first segment when the ring is in the compressed state; the second segment having an end surface positioned away from the first segment, the end surface dimensioned for contact by a gland ring so as to urge the sealing ring into the compressed state so that the first segment forms a seal between the inner surface of the connector body and an outer surface of a conduit positioned within the connector body.

Drawings

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Drawings

Claims26

Dependent claims

A co-molded sealing ring for use in an electrical fitting, the co-molded sealing ring having an uncompressed state and a compressed state, the co-molded sealing ring comprising a first segment formed from thermoplastic elastomer and a second segment co-molded to the first segment, formed from a medium-density polyethylene material attached at an end thereof to an end of the first segment, wherein a space formed between the first segment and an inner surface of a connector body of the electrical fitting when the co-molded sealing ring is in the uncompressed state, is at least partially filled by a portion of the first segment when the co-molded sealing ring is in the compressed state, wherein said second segment has an end surface positioned away from the first segment, said end surface of the second segment dimensioned for contact by a gland ring so as to urge the co-molded sealing ring into the compressed state so that said first segment forms a seal between the inner surface of the connector body and an outer surface of a conduit positioned within the connector body, wherein the first segment of the co-molded sealing ring has a circumferential rim at said end of said first segment and a circumferential notch near said end of the first segment and wherein the second segment of the co-molded sealing ring has a circumferential rim at said end of said second segment and a circumferential notch near said end of the second segment, said first segment circumferential rim interfitting with the circumferential notch of the second segment and the second segment circumferential rim interfitting with the circumferential notch of the first segment.

A co-molded sealing ring for use in an electrical fitting, the co-molded sealing ring having a first region, a second region and a third region, the second region formed between the first and third regions, the first region having a first sloping surface dimensioned to contact a recess shoulder in a bore of a connector body of said electrical fitting and the third region having a sloping surface dimensioned to contact an inner surface of the connector body, wherein a first segment of the co-molded sealing ring, comprising the first region and a portion of the second region, is formed from a thermoplastic elastomer material so that a space formed between the first segment and the inner surface of the connector body adjacent said recess shoulder when the co-molded sealing ring is in an uncompressed state, is at least partially filled by the first segment when the sealing ring is in a compressed state, and wherein a second segment of the co-molded sealing ring, comprising a remainder of said second region and said third region, is formed from a medium-density polyethylene material, said second segment co-molded to the first segment, said second segment having an end surface positioned away from the first segment, said end surface dimensioned for contact by a gland ring so as to urge the co-molded sealing ring into the compressed state, and further wherein the first and second segments each have a lower surface dimensioned to contact an outer surface of a conduit positioned within said bore of the connector body;

whereby a raintight seal is established between the electrical fitting and the conduit when the sealing ring is in the compressed state.

A raintight compression connector comprising:

a connector body having a first portion and a second portion and a bore extending through the first portion and the second portion, the first portion dimensioned for receipt of a conduit in said bore;
a gland nut having internal threads dimensioned for threaded engagement with first external threads formed in the first portion at the first end;
a gland ring dimensioned for contact with the gland nut so as to secure the gland nut and the first portion of the connector body to the conduit when the conduit is inserted into the first portion;
a co-molded sealing ring dimensioned for contact with the first portion of the connector body so as to make sealing contact with the conduit when the conduit is inserted into the first portion, said co-molded sealing ring having first, second and third regions, the second region formed between the first and third regions, the first region having a first sloping surface dimensioned to contact a recess shoulder in the bore of the first portion of the connector body and the third region having a third sloping surface dimensioned to contact an inner surface of the first portion of the connector body, wherein a first segment of the co-molded sealing ring, comprising the first region and a portion of the second region, is formed from a thermoplastic elastomer material so that a space formed between the first segment and the inner surface of the connector body adjacent said recess shoulder when the co-molded sealing ring is in an uncompressed state, is at least partially filled by the first segment when the co-molded sealing ring is in a compressed state, and wherein a second segment of the co-molded sealing ring, comprising a remainder of said second region and said third region, is formed from a medium-density polyethylene material, said second segment having an end surface positioned away from the first segment, said end surface dimensioned for contact by athe gland ring so as to urge the co-molded sealing ring into the compressed state, and further wherein the first and second segments each have a lower surface dimensioned to contact an outer surface of a conduit positioned within said bore of the connector body;
whereby a raintight seal is established between the electrical fitting and the conduit when the sealing ring is in the compressed state;
wherein the connector body has an outer flange and wherein the second portion of the connector body is dimensioned for receipt of a knockout gasket, the second portion having second external threads dimensioned for receipt of a locknut for securing the knockout gasket positioned around a knockout hole in an electrical enclosure between said outer flange and the electrical enclosure, thereby forming a raintight seal therewith.

3 more elements

A raintight compression coupler comprising:

a connector body having a first portion and a second portion and a bore extending through the first portion and the second portion, the first portion dimensioned for receipt of a conduit in said bore, the first portion having a first end and a second end and the second portion dimensioned for receipt of a conduit in said bore, the second portion having a first end and a second end;
a first gland nut having internal threads dimensioned for threaded engagement with first external threads formed in the first portion at its first end;
a first gland ring dimensioned for contact with the first gland nut so as to secure the first gland nut and the first portion of the connector body to the first conduit when the first conduit is inserted into the first portion;
a first co-molded sealing ring dimensioned for contact with the first portion of the connector body so as to make sealing contact with the first conduit when the first conduit is inserted into the first portion, said first co-molded sealing ring having a first, second and third region, the second region formed between the first and third regions, the first region having a sloping surface dimensioned to contact a recess shoulder in the bore of the first portion of the connector body and the third region having a sloping surface dimensioned to contact an inner surface of the first portion of the connector body, wherein a first segment of the co-molded sealing ring, comprising the first region and a portion of the second region, is formed from a thermoplastic elastomer material so that a space formed between the first segment and the inner surface of the connector body adjacent said recess shoulder when the co-molded sealing ring is in an uncompressed state, is substantially filled by the first segment when the co-molded sealing ring is in a compressed state, and wherein a second segment of the co-molded sealing ring, comprising a remainder of said second region and said third region, is formed from a medium-density polyethylene material, said second segment having an end surface positioned away from the first segment, said end surface dimensioned for contact by the first gland ring so as to urge the co-molded sealing ring into the compressed state, and further wherein the first and second segments each have a lower surface dimensioned to contact an outer surface of a conduit positioned within said bore of the connector body, whereby a raintight seal is established between the electrical fitting and the conduit when the sealing ring is in the compressed state;
and
a second gland nut having internal threads dimensioned for threaded engagement with second external threads formed in the second portion at its first end;
a second gland ring dimensioned for contact with the second gland nut so as to secure the second gland nut and the second portion of the connector body to the second conduit when the second conduit is inserted into the second portion;
and
a second co-molded sealing ring dimensioned for contact with the second portion of the connector body so as to make sealing contact with the second conduit when the second conduit is inserted into the second portion, said second co-molded sealing ring having a first, second and third region, the second region formed between the first and third regions, the first region having a sloping surface dimensioned to contact a recess shoulder in the bore of the first portion of the connector body and the third region having a sloping surface dimensioned to contact an inner surface of the second portion of the connector body wherein a first segment of the co-molded sealing ring, comprising the first region and a portion of the second region, is formed from a thermoplastic elastomer material so that a space formed between the first segment and the inner surface of the connector body adjacent said recess shoulder when the co-molded sealing ring is in an uncompressed state, is at least partially filled by the first segment when the co-molded sealing ring is in a compressed state, and wherein a second segment of the co-molded sealing ring, comprising a remainder of said second region and said third region, is formed from a medium-density polyethylene material, said second segment having an end surface positioned away from the first segment, said end surface dimensioned for contact by the second gland ring so as to urge the co-molded sealing ring into the compressed state, and further wherein the first and second segments each have a lower surface dimensioned to contact an outer surface of a conduit positioned within said bore of the connector body, whereby a raintight seal is established between the electrical fitting and the conduit when the sealing ring is in the compressed state.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Description8,988 words

Summary3,357 words

#This invention is directed to a co-molded sealing ring for use in an electrical fitting, including a raintight compression connector for securing electrical metallic tubing (EMT), or rigid metallic conduit (RMC) to an electrical enclosure and to a raintight compression coupler for securing two EMT's or RMC's to each other. The invention is thus with respect to a co-molded sealing ring, taken alone or in combination with a raintight compression connector or a raintight compression coupler.

#Various types of raintight electrical connectors have been developed for securing electrical metallic tubing to an electrical enclosure, such as a junction box or the like. Corresponding raintight electrical couplers have also been developed for securing two EMT's or RMC's (sometimes collectively referred to herein as conduit) to each other. Existing connectors and couplers may use a sealing ring for preventing water intrusion between the outer surface of the EMT or RMC and an electrical enclosure or other EMT or RMC. It has been observed that existing connectors and couplers may have difficulty maintaining a raintight connection due to sealing surface imperfections of the EMT or RMC outside diameters, especially with larger diameter trade sizes. A co-molded sealing ring according to the present invention is able to achieve improved raintight capability for such electrical fittings without the need for an additional sealing ring and/or stop seal.

#The present invention relates to co-molded sealing ring for use in an electrical fitting, the co-molded sealing ring having an uncompressed state and a compressed state, the co-molded sealing ring comprising a first segment formed from thermoplastic elastomer and a second segment co-molded to the first segment, formed from a medium-density polyethylene material attached at an end thereof to an end of the first segment, wherein a space formed between the first segment and an inner surface of a connector body of the electrical fitting when the co-molded sealing ring is in the uncompressed state, is at least partially filled by a portion of the first segment when the co-molded sealing ring is in the compressed state, wherein said second segment has an end surface positioned away from the first segment, said end surface of the second segment dimensioned for contact by a gland ring so as to urge the co-molded sealing ring into the compressed state so that said first segment forms a seal between the inner surface of the connector body and an outer surface of a conduit positioned within the connector body.

Brief description of the drawings29 figures

#FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the raintight compression connector according to an embodiment of the present invention, the connector attached to an electrical enclosure.

#FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an electrical metallic tubing (EMT) or Rigid Metallic Conduit (RMC) inserted into the raintight compression connector shown in FIG. 1.

#FIG. 3 is a side view of the raintight compression connector shown in FIG. 2.

Detailed description4,984 words

#The present invention, as shown in FIGS. 21-28, is an improvement to what is called an upper sealing ring 30′ as discussed initially below with respect to FIGS. 1-20. This improvement is a co-molded sealing ring 30* and is described below following the discussion of FIGS. 1-20.

#As discussed in applicant's co-pending U.S. application Ser. No. 15/079,148, the prior invention discussed therein is directed to an improved upper sealing ring 30′ forming part of a raintight compression connector 20 or a raintight compression coupler 20′ as discussed below.

#Prior Improved Upper Sealing Ring (FIGS. 1-20)

Facts

Application

15/291,696Filed 12 Oct 2016 · continuation in part

Priority

31 Oct 2013

Published

US 2017/0030489 A12 Feb 2017

Granted

26 Mar 2019

Term ends

5 Sep 2034

Estimated · how

20 years from earliest known nonprovisional domestic filing plus recorded patent term adjustment, including 309 days of adjustment. Maintenance-fee lapses, terminal disclaimers and statutory extensions have not been checked. The continuity chain may be incomplete; this is not an enforceability determination.

Classification7 codes

F16L 5/08
Sealing: by means of axial screws compressing a ring or sleeve
F16J 15/022
With elastic packing: characterised by structure or material
F16L 21/04
With elastic sealing rings between pipe and sleeve or between pipe and socket, e.g. with rolling or other prefabricated profiled rings: in which…
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…:…

Family

Application14/068,663Parent of this continuation-in-part · filed 31 Oct 2013

Application62/142,150Us provisional application · filed 2 Apr 2015

Application15/079,148Parent of this continuation-in-part · filed 24 Mar 2016

US 2017/0030489 A1Pre-grant publication · published 2 Feb 2017

US 9,787,070 B2Parent of this continuation-in-part

US 9,343,883 B2Parent of this continuation-in-part

Application15/079,148Parent of this continuation-in-part

US 2014/0265321 A1Published application

US 2016/0204587 A1Published application

US 10,240,694 B2This patent

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

Timeline

31 Oct 2013Priority claimedParent application 14/068,663
12 Oct 2016Application filedUS 15/291,696
12 Oct 2016Assigned to Bridgeport Fittings, Inc.assignment of assignor's interest
2 Feb 2017PublishedUS 2017/0030489 A1
5 Mar 2019Assigned to Bridgeport Fittings, Incorporatednotice of receiving party's unabbreviated corporate name
26 Mar 2019GrantedUS 10,240,694 B2
9 Aug 2019Assigned to Nxt Capital, LLC, AS Agentsecurity interest
12 Aug 2019Assigned to Bridgeport Fittings, LLCchange of name
27 Feb 2020Assigned to Ares Capital Corporationsecurity interest
28 Feb 2020Assigned to Bridgeport Fittings, LLCpatent release and reassignment
24 Nov 2024Assigned to Bridgeport Fittings, LLC, Sullstar Technologies Inc.termination and release of security interest in patents recorded at r/f 052047/0886
28 Nov 2024Assigned to Alter Domus (US) LLCsecurity interest
17 Jun 2026Assigned to Nsi-Lynn Electronics, LLC, Nsi Industries, LLC, Cast Products, Inc., Polaris Sales Co., LLC, Remke Industries, Inc., Bridgeport Fittings, LLCrelease of security interest
12 Oct 2026TodayWithin its term
5 Sep 2034Term endsEstimated, includes 309 days of adjustment

Co-molded sealing ring for use in an electrical fitting, and a raintight compression connector and raintight compression coupler incorporating a co-molded sealing ring

Life of this patent

Co-molded sealing ring for use in an electrical fitting, and a raintight compression connector and raintight compression coupler incorporating a co-molded sealing ring

Life of this patent

Life of this patent

Abstract

Drawings

Drawings

Claims26

Description8,988 words

Drawings

Classification7 codes

Life of this patent

Description8,988 words