Strut System and Strut Fitting Therefor
AssigneeCooper Technologies Company
InventorsZhihui Zhang, William Edward McCarthy
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A strut fitting for a strut includes a fitting body having opposite ends and a length extending between the opposite ends. First and second opposite faces extend along the length of the body. Opposite sides are disposed between the first and second faces and extend along the length of the body. The first face and at least portions of the opposite sides adjacent the first face define a first cross-sectional shape of the fitting body that is generally dovetail-shaped. A catch is secured to and extends outward from the first face of the fitting body. The catch is resiliently deflectable relative to the fitting body.
Claims20
A strut fitting for a strut having at least one side defining a dovetail-shaped groove, the strut fitting comprising:
- a fitting body having opposite ends, a length extending between the opposite ends, first and second opposite faces extending along the length of the body, and opposite sides disposed between the first and second faces and extending along the length of the body, wherein the first face and at least portions of the opposite sides adjacent the first face define a first cross-sectional shape of the fitting body that is generally dovetail-shaped;
- and
- a catch secured to and extending outward from the first face of the fitting body, wherein the catch is resiliently deflectable relative to the fitting body.
A strut system comprising:
- a piece of strut including an elongate strut body having opposite longitudinal ends, a length extending between the opposite longitudinal ends, and a fitting side defining an external fitting groove extending lengthwise of the body, wherein the external fitting groove has opposite open groove ends at the opposite longitudinal ends of the strut body,
- a strut fitting for the piece of strut, the strut fitting including a fitting body having opposite ends, a length extending between the opposite ends, first and second opposite faces extending along the length of the body, and opposite sides disposed between the first and second faces and extending along the length of the body, wherein the first face and at least portions of the opposite sides adjacent the first face define a first cross-sectional shape of the fitting body sized and shaped for insertion through one of the open groove ends and into the external fitting groove of the piece of strut for connecting the strut fitting to the piece of strut, wherein the second face of the fitting body defines a groove extending along the length of the body.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.