Conduit clamping device

A conduit clamping device has an elongated substantially rigid base having a longitudinal axis. At least one axially extending elongated generally U-shaped channel is formed in the base and sized to receive at least a portion of a length of conduit of a given diameter. A lid is hingedly coupled to the base and relatively hingedly movable between an open position for permitting conduit to be placed in or removed from the channel and a closed position for grippingly engaging the conduit between the lid and the channel. A quantity of resilient material is mounted to at least one of the lid and the channel for resiliently, grippingly engaging the conduit when the lid is in the closed position.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention is directed to tools such as clamps, vises, and jigs and, more particularly, to a conduit clamping device.

2. Description of the Related Art

Building codes commonly require that when installing 110 VAC household electrical wiring, the conductors are to be pulled through a grounded, electrically conductive metal tubing known as conduit or EMT. Typically, during construction, the conduit must be cut to various lengths, and sometimes bent at various angles in order to direct the wiring to and among desired locations. Such conduit is commonly fabricated from aluminum, steel, or the like in a variety of diameters depending on the number of conductors or wires to be pulled through the conduit. For example, conduit is typically provided in diameters of one half inch, three-quarter inch and one inch, although other sizes are possible.

Typically, electricians use a manual hacksaw, or powered reciprocating or circular saw to cut the conduit to the desired length prior to installation. The cutting operation may be performed before and/or after any needed bending operation. Often, the electrician holds the conduit on any convenient surface for support during cutting e.g., a pail, ladder, or the floor, or even his or her knee, in an effort to hold the conduit steady.

It is possible to hold the conduit in a carpenter's vise or the like, if one is available at the work site. Moreover, the traditionally flat opposed surfaces of conventional vise may allow the conduit to rotate during the cutting operation. If the vise jaws are further tightened in an effort to hold the conduit motionless, they may crush or deform or otherwise damage the conduit.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a conduit clamping device, comprises an elongated substantially rigid base having a longitudinal axis; at least one axially extending elongated generally U-shaped channel formed in the base and sized to receive at least a portion of a length of conduit of a given diameter therein; a lid hingedly coupled to the base and relatively hingedly movable between a first open position for permitting conduit to be placed in or removed from the channel and a second closed position for grippingly engaging the conduit between the lid and the channel; a quantity of resilient material mounted to at least one of the lid and the channel for resiliently, grippingly engaging the conduit when the lid is in the closed position.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, method of securing conduit, comprises providing a conduit clamping device, comprising an elongated substantially rigid base having a longitudinal axis; at least one axially extending elongated generally U-shaped channel formed in the base and sized to receive at least a portion of a length of conduit of a given diameter therein; a lid hingedly coupled to the base and relatively hingedly movable between a first open position for permitting conduit to be placed in or removed from the channel and a second closed position for grippingly engaging the conduit between the lid and the channel; a quantity of resilient material mounted to at least one of the lid and the channel for resiliently, grippingly engaging the conduit when the lid is the closed position; moving the lid to the open position; placing a length of conduit in the channel, and moving the lid to the closed position.

These and other aspects and features of the invention will become more apparent upon reading the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring toFIG. 1, there is shown a conduit clamping device in accordance with one aspect of the invention. The conduit clamping device has an elongated substantially rigid base or body portion20having a longitudinal axis21. At least one axially extending elongated generally U-shaped channel (in the illustrated embodiment, three channels24,25,26) is formed in the base and sized to receive at least a portion of a length of conduit, e.g.,38, of a given diameter therein. A lid22is hingedly coupled to the base20and relatively hingedly movable between a first or open position, shown inFIG. 1, for permitting conduit to be placed in or removed from the channel24,25or26and a second or closed position (as shown inFIGS. 7-9) for grippingly engaging the conduit between the lid22and the channel.

Referring also toFIGS. 2-7, to further enhance the secure engagement of the conduit, a quantity of resilient material34, such as neoprene may be mounted to at least one of the lid22and the bottom of each channel for resiliently, grippingly engaging the conduit when the lid is the closed position. The elongated, generally U-shaped channels24,25,26formed in the base20, may each be sized to receive at least a portion of a length of conduit of a given diameter different from the diameter of conduit for which each other one of the plurality of channels24,25,26is sized. In the illustrated embodiment, the channel26is sized to receive conduit having a diameter of one-half inch, the channel25is sized to receive conduit having a diameter of three-quarters inch, and the channel24is sized to receive conduit having a diameter of one inch. Accordingly, each channel has a width at least as great as the diameter of the conduit which it is sized to receive and preferably somewhat greater so as to achieve a non-interference fit. Fewer or more channels may be provided without departing from the invention.

In the illustrated embodiment, the base20is rectilinear having a length defining the longitudinal axis21and a width less than and substantially normal to the length. The lid22is sized and is coupled to the base in a position for engaging at least an outer end portion of a length of conduit38, received in one of the channels when the lid is in the closed position. This holds the conduit38so that it may be cut in an area40close to the outer end of the base20.

The base20may be of a width sufficient to accommodate at least one channel and may be wider to accommodate two channels, or, as illustrated, three channels, that is, from about 2 in. wide to about 6 in. wide. The length of the base20and the channel or channels should be sufficient to secure a substantial length of conduit in place, while cutting in the area40adjacent the end of the base, that is, from about 1 ft. to about 3 ft. Similarly, the dimensions of the lid22and the location(s) of its hinged connection to the base20should be such as to permit application of substantial force upon the lid when in the closed position for gripping the conduit38securely during the cutting operation. It is contemplated that electrician or other user will apply pressure to the lid by suitable means such as a hand, knee, or the like during the cutting operation in order to securely grip the conduit38. In illustrated embodiment, the lid22is also rectilinear having substantially the same length and width as a base20.

The base20and22may be formed from wood or other suitable formable material. In the illustrated embodiment, respective end plates30and31, which may be formed of a metal, such as steel, are provided at either end of the base20and22, respectively. These end plates30and31may be secured by suitable fasteners32or other attachment means. The base20and lid22for the above-described hinged movement by a plurality of spaced apart hinges33along the length of one side thereof and attached to the base20and the lid22by fasteners32or other suitable attachment means.

At least one, and in the illustrated embodiment, three U-shaped channels27,28and29are formed in the base extending across a width dimension of the base and intersecting the elongated U-shaped channels24,25and26. Channels27,28and29are sized to receive at least a portion of a length of conduit, e.g.,38, of a given diameter therein, and, as with channels24,25,26, may each be sized to receive at least a portion of a length of conduit of a given diameter different from the diameter of conduit for which each other one of channels27,28,29is sized. In the illustrated embodiment, the channel27is sized to receive conduit having a diameter of one-half inch, the channel28is sized to receive conduit having a diameter of three-quarters inch, and the channel29is sized to receive conduit having a diameter of one inch. Accordingly, each channel has a width at least as great as the diameter of the conduit which it is sized to receive and preferably somewhat greater so as to achieve a non-interference fit. Fewer or more such channels may be provided without departing from the invention.

The channels27,28and29are provided to accommodate a situation wherein a length of conduit is to be cut at a point relatively closely spaced from a bend which has previously been formed therein.

In the illustrated embodiment, resilient material34has been provided as a plurality of elongated strips of neoprene material, which are secured generally along the bottoms of each of the U-shaped channels24,25,26and also of each of channels27,20,29, e.g. by an adhesive. Collaboratively, similar strips of resilient material may be adhesively or otherwise affixed to an undersurface of the lid22and located so as to be generally coaxially facing each of the channels24,25and26when the lid is in the closed position. For a more complete view of the above described strips of resilient material34, reference is invited toFIGS. 8 through 22. As shown in these figures, two additional strips of resilient material34, may also be adhesively or otherwise secured to a bottom surface of the base20in order to provide a non-sliding engagement with a support surface (not shown) upon which the cable clamping device may be placed.

As shown in the drawings, shallow grooves may be formed in the channels, base and lid for accommodating the neoprene strips. In the embodiment shown, the neoprene strips are from about ⅛ inch to about ¼ inch thick and from about ¼ inch to about 1 inch wide, and extend about the full length of the base and top. The width of each of the neoprene strips may be selected so as to readily interfit in the channel or location on the lid opposite the channel for which that particular strip is intended. The neoprene strips on the base may be of any desired width, and are shown about ¾ inch wide.

Four through bores43in the base20are also illustrated in FIGS.7and13-16. These through bores are provided for receiving suitable fasteners (not shown) for securely mounting the cable clamping device some other support member or support surface while in use.

In this regard, and referring toFIGS. 23 and 24, two such mounting arrangements are shown. It will be understood that the invention is not limited to the arrangements shown but rather, other mounting arrangements may be used without departing from the invention. InFIG. 23, a sawhorse-type of support45is shown. The base20may be mounted to the sawhorse45by means of suitable fasteners engaged with the through bores43of the base20, described above. In similar fashion, referring toFIG. 24, for mounting to a ladder47or similar member, a pair of cross members46may be suitably affixed to the ladder, and the base20of the cable clamping device mounted thereto utilizing fasteners engaged with the through bores43of the base20, as illustrated. A latch may be provided to secure the lid in the closed position, for use in storage and transport of the conduit clamping device.

FIGS. 9 through 12illustrated in cross-section, the conduit clamping device with its U-shaped channels24,25and26occupied by three different sizes of conduits simultaneously (FIG. 9), and individually, as shownFIGS. 10 through 12. Each ofFIGS. 10 through 12shows the lid22in only a partially closed position relative to the base20, whereasFIG. 9shows the lid22in a fully closed position. As a practical matter, it is not contemplated that the conduit clamping device will be used for holding more than one length of conduit at a time; howeverFIG. 9shows three different sizes of conduit, one-half inch, three-quarter inch and one inch, in relation to the complementary sized U-shaped channels24,25and26in the base20.

The invention also extends to a method of securing conduit, which method comprises providing a conduit clamping device which has an elongated substantially rigid base20having a longitudinal axis21, at least one axially extending elongated generally U-shaped channel24,25and/or26formed in the base20and sized to receive at least a portion of a length of conduit38of a given diameter therein, a lid22hingedly coupled to the base20and relatively hingedly movable between a first open position for permitting conduit to be placed in or removed from the channel and a second closed position for grippingly engaging the conduit between the lid and the channel and a quantity of resilient material34mounted to at least one of the lid22and the channel24,25and/or26for resiliently, grippingly engaging the conduit38when the lid22is the closed position. The method includes moving the lid to the open position, placing a length of conduit in the channel, and moving the lid to the closed position.