Patent ID: 7766396
Filing Date: 2010-08-03
Classification: F16L,H02G

Abstract:
1. A liquid tight spliced section of flexible non-metallic electrical conduit, the spliced section including a coupling, the coupling comprising a one-piece molded thermoplastic body, the body including a sleeve having a longitudinal axis, a cylindrical surface with a uniform diameter, a pair of opposed axial ends comprising a first end and a second end, a first thread extending axially along the sleeve from the first end, a second thread extending axially along the sleeve from the second end, both threads projecting radially from the cylindrical surface, each thread having an inner end, the sleeve further including a first annular sealing ring projecting radially from the cylindrical surface and being spaced axially from the inner end of the first thread, the cylindrical surface being free of radial projections between the inner end of the first thread and the first annular sealing ring, a second annular sealing ring projecting radially from the cylindrical surface and being spaced axially from the inner end of the second thread, the cylindrical surface being free of radial projections between the inner end of the second thread and the second annular sealing ring, each sealing ring having a sloped leading face and a trailing face, the trailing face of each sealing ring lying in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, the trailing face and the leading face of each sealing ring intersecting at a sharp annular edge, the spliced section of non-metallic electrical conduit comprising a first length of flexible non-metallic electrical conduit having a bore and a second length of flexible non-metallic electrical conduit having a bore, the bore of the first length being positioned over the first thread and the first sealing ring with the sharp annular edge of the first sealing ring engaging the bore and sealing the first length to the coupling to preclude the entry of liquids and moisture into the bore of the first length, the bore of the second length being positioned over the second thread and the second sealing ring with the sharp annular edge of the second sealing ring engaging the bore and sealing the second length to the coupling to preclude the entry of liquids and moisture into the bore of the second length, a portion of the bore of the first length in registration with a portion of the cylindrical surface of the sleeve between the inner end of the first thread and the first annular sealing ring being free to deflect radially inwardly toward the cylindrical surface, a further portion of the bore of the first length in registration with a further portion of the cylindrical surface spaced axially from the trailing face of first annular sealing ring being free to deflect radially inwardly toward the cylindrical surface, a portion of the bore of the second length in registration with a portion of the cylindrical surface of the sleeve between the inner end of the second thread and the second annular sealing ring being free to deflect radially inwardly toward the cylindrical surface, a further portion of the bore of the second length in registration with a portion of the cylindrical surface spaced axially from the trailing face of the second annular sealing ring being free to deflect radially inwardly toward the cylindrical surface, the section further including at least one electrical lead extending through the first length, through the coupling and through the second length whereby at least one electrical lead is maintained free from contact with liquids and moisture whereby the at least one electrical lead is maintained free of contact with liquids and moisture.