Threadless conduit fitting including continuous compression ring
AssigneeThomas & Betts International, Inc.
InventorRoger Pyron
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A connector fitting for a threadless conduit and a method of securing such a fitting are provided. The connector fitting includes a connector body, a gland nut, and a continuous metal compression ring. The compression ring includes an annular stop and a pair of end portions. Upon tightening the gland nut, one end portion of the compression ring is urged between the connector body and conduit while the other end of the compression ring is press fit between the gland nut and conduit to form a rain tight seal. One or more indicators are provided for indicating that the gland nut has been properly torqued.
Claims24
An electrically conductive connector fitting for a rigid conduit comprising:
- a connector body having a passage for receiving a conduit;
- a gland nut threadably coupled to the connector body, said gland nut including a passage extending therethrough and a shoulder extending into said passage;
- a continuous metal compression ring positioned within said gland nut passage, said compression ring including a stop and an end portion adjacent to said gland nut shoulder, said end portion being positionable within said shoulder when said gland nut is tightened.
A connector fitting for a rigid conduit comprising:
- a connector body having a threaded exterior surface and a passage for receiving a rigid conduit;
- a gland nut including a passage and threadably coupled to the threaded exterior surface of said connector body;
- a continuous metal compression ring positioned within said gland nut passage, said compression ring including an annular stop and first and second coaxial end portions adjoining said stop;
- and
- at least one means for visually indicating that said metal gland nut has been properly torqued.
A connector fitting for a rigid conduit comprising:
- a connector body having a first passage for receiving a rigid conduit;
- a gland nut threadably coupled to said connector body, said gland nut including a second passage and a shoulder in said second passage;
- a continuous metal compression ring positioned within said second passage, said compression ring including an annular stop and first and second coaxial end portions extending from said stop;
- and
- means for providing a tactile indication that said gland nut has been properly torqued.
A method of securing an electrically conductive connector fitting to a rigid metal conduit, the connector fitting including a metal connector body, a metal gland nut threadably coupled to the connector body, and a continuous metal compression ring positioned within the gland nut, the compression ring including a central portion including a stop and first and second coaxial end portions adjoining the stop, comprising;
- mounting the connector fitting to the rigid metal conduit such that the conduit extends within the connector body and the gland nut;
- and
- rotating the gland nut with respect to the connector body, thereby urging said second end portion of said compression ring between said conduit and said connector body and causing said first end portion thereof to be press fit between an inner surface of said gland nut and said conduit such that said fitting is substantially rain tight.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.