Abstract:
A conduit connector and method for coupling a plurality of conduit sections together. The connector includes a conduit body having a first inlet, a second inlet and an interior cavity extending between the first and second inlets. The conduit body is split longitudinally between the inlets into a front member and a back member. The connector also includes a locking system for securing the front and back members together. The method includes the steps of providing a pair of connector sections, one having spaced apart first arcuate stretches and the other having spaced apart second arcuate stretches. The arcuate stretches are each shaped and positioned to engage the exterior end of a corresponding conduit section. The method also includes positioning one connector section on one side of the wiring with each of the first arcuate stretches disposed against one of the first and second exposed ends on one side thereof and positioning the other connector section on the opposite side of the wiring with each of the second arcuate stretches disposed against the other exposed end on the opposite side thereof, and fastening the connector sections together.

Description:
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates in general to a connector for joining two or more conduit sections and, more particularly, to a connector for conduits housing cables, electrical wires and the like. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Wiring, such as electrical wiring, telephone lines and cable systems, is often housed within extensive conduit systems which protect the wiring from environmental conditions and the like. The systems typically include several junctions or intersections which occur when the conduit line changes direction or when a single conduit branches into two or more conduits. A special conduit is provided at these junctions, for example an “LB Conduit” is often used where the conduit line changes directions. During installation of the system, the conduit line is laid until the intersection is reached. At that point, the appropriate intersection piece is selected and attached to the exposed end of the conduit line. The next section of the conduit line is then attached to the other end of the intersection piece. Typically, the ends of the conduit sections are threaded and the intersection piece is attached to the conduit sections by screwing the conduit sections and intersection piece together. The wiring is threaded through the conduit sections and intersection piece. 
     The intersection pieces are often subject to stresses which cause the piece to fracture, break, or become damaged, requiring replacement of the intersection piece. The damaged intersection piece is removed by breaking the part into pieces. The exposed wiring must then cut so that the wires may be individually threaded through the opposite ends of the replacement part. One end of the replacement part is screwed onto one of the conduit sections in the same manner as the initial installation of the conduit line. Since the conduit sections of the installed line are essentially fixed in place, the opposite end of the replacement part may not be screwed onto the next section of the line. Instead, a separate fitting is required between the replacement part and the conduit section. Once the replacement part is installed, the cut sections of wiring must be coupled together. Problems often occur if the wiring is taut since some slack is required to reconnect the wiring. Moreover, cutting the wiring interrupts the services provided by the wiring, for example electricity, telephone or cable service. This lengthy interruption is highly inconvenient to the end user and, in some instances, may even be unacceptable. 
     A conduit connector which is easy to install and replace is desirable. Similarly, a conduit connector which may be installed without severing the wiring housed by the old conduit connector is desirable. 
     OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is a primary object of the present invention to provide a conduit connector for coupling two or more conduits together is desirable. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a conduit connector which may be easily installed in both new installations and as a replacement part in an existing installation. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a conduit connector which may be installed around existing wiring to avoid cutting the wiring and disrupting service. 
     It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a conduit connector which may be directly mounted to each of the conduit sections without the use of supplemental fittings. 
     A more general object of the present invention is to provide a conduit connector for protecting the wiring housed in the conduit connector, and to provide a conduit connector which may be economically manufactured. 
     In summary, the present invention provides a conduit connector for coupling together a plurality of conduit sections. The conduit sections are part of a conduit installation which provides a protective housing for wiring, for example telephone, cable or electrical wiring. The conduit connector includes a conduit body having a pair of inlets. The inlets are shaped to receive the exposed ends of the conduit sections. The conduit body also includes an interior cavity between the first and second inlets for housing the wiring which extends across the gap separating the conduits. The conduit body is split longitudinally between the first inlet and the second inlet into a front member and a back member. The conduit connector also includes a locking system which secures the front and back members together when the conduit body is assembled around the exposed wiring and the ends of the first and second conduit sections. 
     The invention also provides a method of installing a conduit connector in a pre-installed conduit system. The conduit system includes a first conduit section having a first exposed end and a second conduit section having a second exposed end spaced from the first conduit section. The wiring extending through the conduit sections is exposed in the gap between the ends of the conduit sections. The method includes providing a pair of connector sections, one having spaced apart first arcuate stretches and the other having spaced apart second arcuate stretches. The first and second arcuate stretches are each shaped and positioned to engage the exterior of the ends of one of the conduit sections. The method also includes positioning the first connector section on one side of the wiring with each of the first arcuate stretches disposed against one of the exposed ends and positioning the second connector section on the opposite side of the wiring with each of the second arcuate stretches each disposed against the other exposed end on the opposite side thereof. After the positioning steps, the method includes fastening the connector sections together. 
     Additional objects and features of the invention will be more readily apparent from the following detailed description and appended claims when taken in conjunction with the drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a conduit installation incorporating a conduit connector constructed in accordance with the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a side view of the conduit connector of FIG.  1 . 
     FIGS. 3 and 4 are pictorial views of the front member of the conduit connector of FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 5 is a pictorial view of the back member of the conduit connector of FIG.  1 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiment of the invention, which is illustrated in the accompanying figures. Turning now to the drawings, wherein like components are designated by like reference numerals throughout the various figures, attention is directed to FIG.  1 . 
     A portion of a conduit installation  8  incorporating a conduit connector  10  in accordance with the present invention is shown in FIG.  1 . The conduit installation generally includes a plurality of conduit sections  12 ,  14  which provide a protective housing for wiring W. The conduit sections  12 ,  14  are joined together by the conduit connector  10 . In the illustrated application, the installation includes a vertical section  12  and a horizontal section  14 , with the conduit connector  10  providing the corner or change in direction from the vertical to the horizontal. The conduit connector  10  also provides the housing for the wiring extending across the gap between the ends of the conduit sections  12 ,  14 . It is to be understood that the conduit installation may have a variety of different configurations. Instead of the perpendicular corner provided by the conduit connector  10  shown in the figures, the conduit sections  12 ,  14  may be oriented at different angles relative to one another. The conduit sections  12 ,  14  may also be located along the same axis. Although not shown, the conduit installation  8  may also include an intersection where a greater number of conduit sections are joined. 
     The conduit connector  10  generally includes a front member  20  and a back member  22  which form the body of the conduit connector  10 . When assembled to form the body of the connector  10 , the front and back members  20 ,  22  are positioned on opposite sides of the wiring such that the conduit connector  10  may be assembled around a section of wiring and installed conduit sections  12  and  14  as is described in more detail below. As shown particularly in FIGS. 3 and 4, the front or outer member  20  generally includes an inner face  24  and an exterior  26 . The shaped inner face  24  includes arcuate stretches  28  positioned at the opposite ends  30  of the front member  20 . The arcuate stretches  28  are shaped to conform to the exterior of the ends  32  of the conduit sections  12 ,  14 . In the illustrated embodiment of the invention, the conduit connector  10  is used with conduits which have threaded ends to facilitate assembly of the conduit sections. The arcuate stretches  28  are formed with threads  34  which mate with the threads on the exterior of the end  32  of the conduit section  12 ,  14  (FIG.  1 ). While providing threads  34  on the arcuate stretches  28  are preferred for an optimum fit, it is to be understood that the threads may be omitted if desired. In addition, if a substantially water-tight seal between the conduit sections  12 ,  14  and the conduit connector  10  is desired, a suitable tape or sealing compound may be applied to the threads on the ends  32  of the conduit sections  12 ,  14  as is well known for the pipe and plumbing assembly. In the illustrated embodiment, the arcuate stretches  28  extend approximately a half-circle such that the arcuate stretches  28  each extend around about half of the circumference of the conduit section end  32 . However, it is to be understood that the extent of the arcuate stretch may be increased or decreased as desired provided the back member  22  is shaped complementary to the front member  20  as discussed below. 
     Between the arcuate stretches  28 , the inner face  24  is shaped to define a trough or channel  36  which defines part of the interior cavity of the assembled conduit connector. The shape of the trough  36  is subject to considerable variation. In the illustrated embodiment, the front member  20  includes side walls  38  and a front wall  40  extending between the side walls  38 , providing the trough  36  with a U-shaped configuration. The front wall  40  of member  20  includes a window  42  for exposing the wiring which passes through the conduit connector  10 . The window is covered by a metal plate  44  which is attached to the exterior  26  of the front member  20  by suitable fasteners  46 . Removing the metal plate provides access to the wiring for testing and the like. 
     Turning to FIG. 5, the back member  22  also includes an inner face  50  and an exterior  52 . The inner face  50  includes arcuate stretches  54  provided at the opposite ends  56  of the back member  22 . The arcuate stretches  54  are shaped complementary to the shape of the exterior of the conduit section end  32 . As with the arcuate stretches  28 , the stretches  54  are preferably provided with threads  58  which mate with the threads on the exterior of the end  32 . When the front and back members  20 ,  22  are assembled to form the body of the conduit connector  10 , the arcuate stretches  28  and corresponding arcuate stretches  54  define an inlet into which the end  32  of the conduit section is seated. In the illustrated embodiment, the arcuate stretches  54  each extend approximately a half circle so that they extend around half of the ends of the sections  12 ,  14 . When the conduit connector  10  is assembled around the conduits  12 ,  14  and wiring W, the edges of the arcuate stretches  54  abut against the edges of the arcuate stretches  28  such that the end  32  is substantially encircled by the arcuate stretches  28 ,  54 . Thus, if the extent of arcuate stretch  28  is increased, the extent of the arcuate stretch  54  is decreased so that the total circumferential extent of the arcuate stretch  28  and corresponding arcuate stretch  54  is 360°. Positioning the arcuate stretches  28 ,  54  in abutting engagement is preferred in that it substantially reduces or minimizes any gaps between the front and back members, protecting the interior of the conduit connector from dust and other particles. However, it is to be understood that in other embodiments of the invention the total extent of the arcuate stretches  28 ,  54  may be less than 360°, leaving one or more gaps between the stretches  28 ,  54 . 
     The inner face  50  is shaped to provide a trough or channel  60  between the arcuate stretches  54 . The trough  60  cooperates with the trough  36  to define the interior cavity of the conduit connector  10  for housing the wiring W which is fed through the conduits  12 ,  14 . As with the front member  20 , the back member  22  includes side walls  62  and a back wall  64  between the side walls  62 , providing the trough  60  with a U-shaped configuration. In the illustrated embodiment, the side walls  62  fit against with the side walls  38  forming a seam therebetween as shown in FIG.  2 . In other modifications of the invention, it is to be understood that the front and back members  20 ,  22  may be sized so that the side walls of one member nest inside of the side walls of the other member. This configuration may be desirable where the wiring within the conduit installation  8  requires additional protection against the environment. 
     The conduit connector  10  includes a locking system for securing the front and back members  20 ,  22 . In the illustrated embodiment, the locking system includes locking members or ears  74  provided on the back member  22  at the upper ends of the side walls  62 . The locking members  74  seat in complementary shaped notches  76  formed on the front member  20  near the upper ends of the side walls  36 . The locking system also includes a pair of locking members or ears  78  provided at the lower ends of the front member  20 . The locking members  78  seat under shoulders  80  provided at the lower ends of the side walls  62  of the back member  22 . When the conduit connector  10  is assembled, the front member  20  is lowered onto the back member  22 , pivoting the front member  20  relative to the back member  22  as necessary to move the locking members  74  of the back member into the notches  76  on the front member  20  and the locking members  78  on the front member  20  beneath the shoulders  80  on the back member. The interengagement between the locking members  74  and notches  76  and the locking members  78  and the shoulders  80  hold the body together even though the front member  20  is not yet affixed to the back member. The locking system further includes one or more fasteners  82  (FIG. 2) to secure the front and back members  20 ,  22  together. In the illustrated embodiment, two fasteners are used although it is to be understood that a greater or lesser number may be employed if desired. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the locking system includes both locking members which are integrally formed with the front and back members  20 ,  22  and external fasteners. The integral locking members  74 ,  76 ,  78  and  80  facilitate assembly of the conduit connector  10  and ensure that the front and back members  20 ,  22  will be accurately aligned relative to one another and properly positioned around the conduits  12 ,  14  and wiring W with the arcuate stretches  28 ,  54  engaging the threaded ends of the conduits. Once properly positioned, the locking members hold the front and back members  20 ,  22  together and in place, leaving both of the installer&#39;s hands free to focus on the installation of the external fasteners. The additional retention force provided by the external fasteners securely holds the front and back members  20 ,  22  together, preventing unintentional separation of the front and back members and dislodgement of the conduit connector  10  from the conduit installation. However, it is to be understood that a locking system in which separate fasteners are omitted is also within the scope of the invention. Furthermore, in other modifications of the invention the locking system may rely entirely on the external fasteners for securing the front and back members  20 ,  22  together. 
     The conduit connector  10  of this invention may be conveniently installed in an existing conduit system without requiring cutting of the wires or the use of special fittings and the like. Thus, the conduit connector  10  is particularly suitable for replacing a broken or damaged piece. When used as a replacement part, the conduit connector  10  is installed after the conduits  12  and  14  are secured in place and the wiring W has been threaded through the complete conduit line. The connector  10  is installed by positioning the back member  22  on one side of the wiring W with the arcuate stretches  54  positioned against the threaded ends of the conduits  12 ,  14 . While the back member  22  is held in place, the front member  20  is lowered toward the back member  22  from the opposite side of the wiring W. As the front member  20  is moved into place, the arcuate stretches  28  are positioned against the threaded ends of the conduits  12 ,  14  and the locking members  74  seat in the notches  76  and the locking members  78  are positioned beneath the shoulders  80 . Once the front member  20  is snapped onto the lower member  22 , the external fasteners are applied to securely mount the front member  20  to the back member  22 . 
     Unlike the conduit connector  10  of the present invention, the installation of the prior art connectors is complicated and time consuming. The wires must be severed and threaded into the upper and lower openings of the conduit from the associated conduit section. One end of the connector is screwed onto the end of one of conduit sections while the other end of the connector is attached using a separate fitting which is screwed onto the end of the conduit and the end of the connector. After the connector is attached to the conduits, each wire must be reattached. The conduit connector  10  of the present invention significantly simplifies the installation of a replacement part. 
     The conduit connector  10  of this invention may also be used during the initial installation of the conduit system. If desired, the installer may pre-assemble the conduit connector  10  and install the connector in the same manner as the connectors of the prior art. Alternatively, the front and back members  20 ,  22  may be assembled around one or both conduit sections  12 ,  14  to eliminate the step of screwing the connector onto one or both conduit sections  12 ,  14 . 
     The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best use the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the Claims appended hereto and their equivalents.