Abstract:
A conduit connector assembly which receives an end of a conduit carrying electrical wires includes a body, a grommet and a spring clip. The grommet and the spring clip are each mounted to the body. The spring clip is disposed within an interior bore of the fitting body and has a resiliently flexible body and a leg having a gripping end portion. The grip end has a substantially scalloped configuration for gripping and fitting partially about the conduit so as to center the grip end of the spring clip body on the conduit. The spring clip also includes a latching member to couple with the body to hold the spring clip in position and apply a biasing tension of the gripping end of the leg against the conduit. The grip end having the scalloped configuration is in the form of an arcuate concave-shaped edge surface on the gripping end portion of the body. The grip end of the spring clip body makes line contact with an inner convolution on an exterior of the conduit and makes at least a single point contact with an outer convolution on the exterior of the conduit. The grip end may be disposed at a predetermined angle for matching a predetermined pitch angle of the convolutions on the exterior of the conduit and thereby make line contact with the inner convolution on the exterior of the conduit and make a pair of point contacts with the outer convolution on the exterior of the conduit.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention is directed to a conduit connector assembly for connecting an electrical conduit to an electrical box. More particularly the invention is directed to a conduit connector assembly for coupling to an armored cable prior to connecting to an electrical box. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Electrical wiring is connected to an electrical box which supports various electrical devices such as switches and electrical receptacles. The wiring in some environments includes an armor cable wound around the wiring to protect the wiring. The armor cable must then be coupled to the electrical box. A variety of coupling devices have been produced for connecting the armor cable or conduit to the electrical box. 
   Electrical wiring is used for connecting electrical power lines and electrical outlets in order to provide access to electrical power in residential and commercial buildings. Electrical junction boxes are provided in the buildings to receive portions of the electrical wiring and contain and isolate therein splices in the wiring which extends from the junction boxes to the main electrical power lines and to outlets and switches in the building. For protection of the electrical wiring, the wiring is generally housed and carried within metal conduits or metal cables. It is also desirable to connect ends of the metal conduits to the electrical junction boxes. 
   Examples of various coupling devices and connectors are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,731,543, U.S. Pat. No. 6,020,557 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,034,326 which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirely include a body and a spring clip. The spring clips couple the armor cable to the body with a spring tension when the devices are inserted into the opening in the electrical box. These devices do not enable the armor cable to be attached to the body before installation into the electrical box. 
   A variety of devices have been used over the years for connecting conduits which carry electrical wires to electrical junction boxes. Representative examples of these devices are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,369,071 to Tuisku, U.S. Pat. No. 4,012,578 to Moran et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,021,604 to Dola et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,880,387 to Stikeleatheret al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,990,721 to Sheehan, U.S. Pat. No. 5,171,164 to O&#39;Neil et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,204,499 to Favalora, U.S. Pat. No. 5,276,280 to Ball, U.S. Pat. No. 5,285,013 to Schnell et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,373,106 to O&#39;Neil et al. and U.S. Pat. No. 5,422,437 to Schnell. 
   One example of a conduit connector, includes a fitting body having an interior bore with four integral end tabs folded ninety degrees to serve as an end stop at a first opposite end of the fitting body for insertion into an electrical junction box and a spring clip for attachment at the bottom of a second opposite end of the fitting, body for gripping a conduit carrying electrical wires inserted within the fitting body. While this connector device has performed with satisfaction over the years and has met objectives it was originally designed to achieve, the device does not meet current performance standards. As in the case of any product, over time improvements are required. 
   While the above noted connectors generally satisfy the intended need, there is a continuing need in the industry for improved conduit connector devices. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention is directed to a connector assembly for connecting an electrical cable to an electrical box. The invention is particularly directed to a connector that is able to be coupled to a cable such as an armored cable before coupling the connector to an electrical box. 
   The present invention provides a conduit connector assembly for connecting a conduit carrying electrical wires to an electrical box. The electrical box is typically used to support electrical devices such as switches and electrical outlets. The connector in one embodiment of the invention includes three components coupled together for coupling to the conduit and to the electrical box. 
   The electrical connector assembly of the invention is simple to manufacture and assemble. The connector assembly can be connected to the conduit such as an armored cable before transporting to the work site. The pre-assembly of the connector to the conduit provides easy assembly at the work site which reduces loss of parts and without the need to assemble the components at the work site. 
   The invention is also directed to a connector assembly having a body and a spring clip that is connected to the body. The spring clip attaches the conduit to the body and connects the body to the electrical box. 
   The connector assembly of the invention provides a spring clip coupled to a body member and has a first end that is able to engage the outer surface of the conduit to retain the conduit in the axial passage of the body. The spring clip is also provided with a latch mechanism to connect with the body under the tension of the spring clip. The tension on the spring clip applies a force to the first end of the clip to apply a gripping force to the conduit. 
   The invention further provides a spring clip for a conduit connector assembly having at least one coupling hook to connect the spring clip to the body of the connector to prevent separation of the spring clip from the body. 
   A further aspect of the invention is to provide a conduit connector having a spring clip that can be incorporated into existing connector assemblies to couple the conduit to the body for the ease of assembly of the conduit to an electrical box. 
   The various aspects of the invention are basically attained by providing a conduit assembly for attaching a conduit to an electrical box where the assembly includes a body, a grommet and a spring clip. The body has a first end and a second end where the first end is open to receive the end of an electrical conduit. The second end has an end wall with a central opening to allow electrical wiring from the conduit to pass through. The body has a dimension to pass through and couple to an opening in an electrical box. The body includes a stop member extending outwardly from a side of the body to limit the insertion of the body through the opening in the electrical box. The grommet is inserted on the end of the conduit and around the wires and is inserted into the open end of the body. The spring clip is coupled to the body and has an end extending into the cavity of the body toward the conduit for engaging the conduit and retaining the conduit within the body. The spring clip has an opposite end extending in a forward direction with respect to the body outside the body. The second end of the spring clip has hooks that are positioned to hook onto an inner edge of the opening in the electrical box to couple the body to the electrical box. The spring clip applies a biasing force to engage the electrical box and to enable the first end of the spring clip to engage the conduit with a gripping force. The spring clip includes a latch member that latches to the body to couple the spring member to the body and apply a biasing force to the first end of the spring member independently of the biasing force by the second end to couple the conduit to the body before the spring is coupled to the electrical box. 
   The aspects of the invention are also attained by providing a conduit connector assembly for coupling an electrical conduit to an electrical box, the connector assembly comprising a body having a side wall with a first end and a second end and an axial passage extending between said first end and said second end. A first end of the body has a dimension to be inserted into an opening of an electrical box, the body having an opening in the side wall. The axial passage has a dimension to receive the electrical conduit. A grommet is provided having a cylindrical portion received in the first end of the body and having a collar forming a stop member for contacting the first end of the body. A spring clip is coupled to the body, where the spring clip has a main body portion overlying the side wall of the body. A first leg extends from the main body portion and extends into the axial passage through the second end of the body. A latch member extends from the main body. The latch member has an arm extending from the main body portion through the side wall of the body. A latching tab is provided on an end of the arm to engage the body whereby the first leg of the spring clip applies a biasing force against the conduit to capture the conduit within the body. 
   The aspects of the invention are further attained by providing a conduit connector assembly for coupling a conduit to an electrical box, where the conduit connector comprises a body having a side wall with a first open end and a second open end and an internal axial passage extending between said first end and said second end. The first end has a dimension to be inserted into an opening in a side wall on an electrical box. 
   A grommet is received in said the end of the body and has an outer dimension to fit within an open end of the conduit. A spring clip is coupled to the body where the spring clip has a main body portion with a first leg having a gripping end extending inwardly into the axial passage for engaging the conduit to capture the conduit within the axial passage. The main body portion of the spring clip has a latch member for latching to the body to position the first leg to apply a constant biasing force of the gripping end against the conduit. 
   These and other aspects of the invention will become apparent form the following detailed description of the invention which taken in conjunction with the annexed drawings discloses various embodiments of the invention. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The following is a brief description of the drawing in which: 
       FIG. 1  is an exploded side view of the connector assembly in one embodiment of the invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a side view in cross section showing the connector assembly in an initial position engaging a conduit before latching the spring clip to the body; 
       FIG. 3  is side view in cross section showing the connector assembly with the spring clip in a latching position to capture the conduit within the connector assembly; 
       FIG. 4  is perspective view of the connector assembly; 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the spring clip in one embodiment of the invention; 
       FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the body of the connector assembly; 
       FIG. 7  is a side view in partial cross section showing the connector assembly coupled to an electrical box; 
       FIG. 8  is a top view of a second embodiment of the connector assembly of the invention; 
       FIG. 9  is a side view of the connector assembly of the embodiment of  FIG. 8 ; 
       FIG. 10  is an exploded side view of the connector assembly of the embodiment of  FIG. 8 ; 
       FIG. 11  is an exploded top view of the connector assembly of the embodiment of  FIG. 8 ; 
       FIG. 12  is an exploded bottom perspective view of the connector assembly of the embodiment of  FIG. 8 ; 
       FIG. 13  is a perspective view of the spring dip of the connector assembly of the embodiment of  FIG. 8 ; 
       FIG. 14  is a cross-sectional side view of the cable connector assembly; and 
       FIG. 15  is a cross-sectional side view of the cable connector assembly showing an armored cable clamped to the connector assembly. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention is directed to a conduit connector assembly for coupling a conduit to an electrical box. The invention is particularly directed to a conduit assembly that is able to couple an electrical conduit to a body of the assembly prior to coupling to an electrical box. 
   The assembly of the invention provides a structure that enables the conduit to be connected to the connector assembly so the connector is retained on the end of the conduit before assembly with the electrical box. The assembly allows pre-assembly of the conduit to the connector assembly to simplify the assembly at the work site. The conduit connector assembly of the invention basically includes a body, a grommet and a spring clip. The spring clip is attached to the body to grip the conduit to the body and to attach the body to an electrical box. The conduit is typically a spirally wound, corrugated armor cable as known in the art. 
   Referring to the drawings the conduit connector assembly  10  of the invention includes a body  12 , a grommet  14  and a spring clip  16 . The conduit connector assembly  10  is proved for connecting a conduit  18  to an electrical box  20 . The conduit  18  is typically a flexible conduit such as a standard armor cable that carries a plurality of wires  22 . In the embodiment illustrated the conduit  18  is a metal sheath that is wound in a spiral fashion to define a corrugated protective casing as known in the art. As shown the conduit is formed with a spiral groove defined between peaks and valleys. The armor sheath is cut to length to expose the wires  22  to form an electrical connection with the desired electrical device as know in the art. The sheath is typically formed of steel although other metals can also be used. 
   Body  12  has a construction substantially similar to the body shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,034,326 which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. Body  12  is formed from a rigid material such as steel other metal and is shaped by bending a blank into a generally cylindrical shape having an axial passage. Body  12  has a cylindrical side wall portion  24  and a flat side portion  26 . Side portion  26  in one embodiment has side edges of the blank spaced from each other to define a slot  50  extending the length of the body. The slot  50  enables the body to be expanded or contracted to fit within an opening of an electrical box as needed. Cylindrical side wall portion  24  has shape and dimension to fit within the opening of the electrical box. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 6 , body  12  has a forward first open end  28  for inserting into the electrical box  20  and a second trailing open end  30 . First end  28  has substantially flat edge and a cut out portion  32  opposite the flat side potion  26 . Cut out portion  32  is formed with a connecting tab  34  bent outwardly with respect to the axial dimension of body  12  to define cut out portion  32 . Connecting tab  34  has a shape and dimension to contact the inner surface of electrical box  20  when assembly  10  is coupled to electrical box  20 . Connecting tab  34  has a substantially flat outer face  36  perpendicular to the axis of body  12  and parallel to first end  28 . 
   Cylindrical portion  24  has openings  38  cut into side portions on opposite sides about 90 degrees from the tab  34  as shown in  FIG. 6 . Openings  38  are cut into cylindrical portion  34  to form tabs  40  that are bent outwardly with respect to body  12 . Tabs  40  are angled to extend in a generally forward direction toward first end  28  and have an end face  42  parallel with connecting tab  34 . End face  42  of tab  40  lies in a plane spaced from the plane of the inner face of connecting tab  34  a distance corresponding substantially to the thickness of the wall of electrical box  20  as discussed in greater detail hereinafter. Tabs  40  contact an outer surface of the wall of the electrical box when assembled. 
   In the embodiment illustrated, cylindrical portion  24  of body  12  has an opening  44  cut into cylindrical portion  24  and axially aligned with the connecting tab  34  as shown in  FIG. 6 . Opening  44  is spaced axially from connecting tab  34  with respect to the longitudinal axis of body  12 . Opening  44  is cut from body  12  to form a gripping tab  46  that is bent inwardly into the body  12 . As shown in  FIGS. 3 and 6 , gripping tab  46  is bent at an inclined angle and extends toward the first end  28  of body  12 . Gripping tab  46  has a forward end  48  facing first end  28  and spaced from connecting tab  34 . In a preferred embodiment, forward end  48  gripping tab  46  is formed at a slight angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of body  12  to enable gripping of the conduit. 
   Flat portion  26  of body  12  as discussed above has slot  50  extending the axial length of body  12 . An opening  52  is formed in flat side portion  26  spaced from first end  28  of body  12 . Opening  52  is formed by cut-outs in each edge of body  12  defining slot  50  and has substantially flat forward edges  54 . Forward edges  54  are formed parallel to the first end  28  of body  12  and spaced from connecting tab  34 . As discussed hereinafter, opening  52  receives spring clip  12 . In alternative embodiments, opening  52  can be formed in cylindrical wall portion  24 . 
   Grommet  14  has a substantially cylindrical shape with a body  56  forming a sleeve and defining an internal cavity for receiving the wires from the conduit. Grommet  14  has a first end  58  with a collar  60  extending outward in a radial direction. Collar  60  has an outer face  62  and an inner face  64 . Collar  60  has a radial dimension sufficient to engage the end of the conduit  16  to protect the wires  22  from contacting the end of the conduit to prevent damage to the wires during use. Grommet  14  is typically formed from a molded plastic material as a one piece member. Grommet  14  is formed with an axial passage extending completely through grommet  14  from first end  58  and collar  60  to a second end  66  with open ends. Body  56  of grommet  14  includes locking tabs  68  integrally formed therewith and extending in an outward direction with respect to grommet  14 . Locking tabs  68  have an inclined portion  70  converging toward second end  66  of grommet  14  and have a forward end face  72  facing first end  58  and being substantially parallel to collar  60 . Grommet  14  is typically a one piece member made of molded plastic. 
   Spring clip  16  of assembly  10  is made of spring steel or other suitable material. As shown in  FIGS. 3 and 5  spring clip  16  has a generally J-shape as shown in the figures with a main body portion  80  having a first end  82  and second end  84 . Main body portion  80  has a substantially flat shape. A first leg  86  is coupled to second end  84  of body portion  80 . First leg  86  is formed by a curved bent portion  88  or elbow and is bent to extend in a reverse direction toward a first end  82  of body potion  80  at an incline away from body portion  80 . First leg  86  terminates in a curved end section  90  having a concave or recessed gripping end  92 . Gripping end  92  has a shape and dimension to engage the outer surface of a conduit when the connector assembly is attached to the conduit. 
   A second end  84  of body portion  80  of spring clip  16  has a second leg  94  extending in a longitudinal direction with respect to body portion  80 . In the embodiment shown, second leg  94  is formed in the same plane as body portion  80  and extends in a forward direction with respect to spring clip  16 . Second leg  94  has an elongated body portion  96  and an end portion  98 . End portion  98  is formed with a pair of integrally formed coupling tabs  100  that are bent out of the plane of second leg  94  and in a generally outward direction in a direction opposite to first leg  86 . As shown in  FIGS. 3 ,  4  and  5  coupling tabs  100  are bent from the second leg  94  along opposite side edges and are formed at an incline away from the plane of second leg  94 . Coupling tabs  100  have an inclined forward edge  102  and a substantially straight coupling edge  104  extending substantially perpendicular to the axial dimension of second leg  94 . The forward edges  104  of coupling tabs  100  define a pointed end to be inserted into an opening of electrical box  20 . The coupling edges  104  form a gripping edge to connect the spring clip  16  and assembly  10  to the electrical box  20 . 
   Main body portion  80  has a circular hole  106  as shown in  FIG. 5 . Second leg  94  in the embodiment shown has a width less than the width of main body portion  80 . First end  82  of main body portion  80  includes arms  108  positioned adjacent second leg  94  and bent to extend in a downward direction substantially perpendicular to second leg  94 . As shown, arms  108  are integrally formed with main body portion  80  and curve away from second leg  94 . Arms  108  terminate at an end  110  and are formed with a latch member shown as latching tabs  112 . Latching tabs  112  are bent out of the plane of arms  108  in the embodiment shown. Latching tabs  112  are bent slightly to extend in a forward direction toward the end of second leg  94 . As shown latching tabs  112  extend outwardly from spring clip  16 . In alternative embodiments, latching tabs  112  can extend inwardly toward the body portion  96  of second leg  94 . Latching tabs have an inclined bottom edge  114  to assist in inserting the latching tabs  112  into body  12  and flat latching edge  116  to couple to the body  12 . 
   Main body portion  80  of spring clip  16  has side edges  118  formed with fin-like retaining tabs  120 . Retaining tabs  120  extend substantially perpendicular to the plane of body portion  80 . Retaining tabs  120  have a first inclined edge  122  converging toward body portion  80  and a straight outer edge  124 . Retaining tabs  120  further include a curved second edge  126  extending from outer edge  124  to the respective side edge  118  of body portion  80 . 
   Connector assembly  10  is coupled to conduit  18  for attaching to electrical box  20 . Initially, conduit is cut to the desired length and the electrical wires  22  are cut to extend from the end of conduit  18 . Grommet  14  is then attached to conduit by inserting the body portion into the axial passage of conduit  18  so that wires  22  extend through the axial passage of grommet  14  a length to be available for coupling with a desired electrical device (not shown) within the electrical box  20 . Grommet  14  is positioned on the end of conduit  18  so that collar  60  contacts the axial end of conduit  18 . 
   Spring clip  12  is attached to body  14  by sliding the first leg  86  until the axial passage of the main body  12  below the flat side  26  of body  12  from the rearward or second end of body  12  as shown in  FIG. 2  until the curved portion  88  of spring clip  12  contacts the end of body  12 . Main body portion  80  of spring clip  12  overlies the outer surface of the flat side  26  of the body  12 . The first leg  86  extends into the axial passage of body  12  through second end  30 . Opening  52  in body  12  has a dimension corresponding to a width of spring clip  16  and is positioned to receive the retaining tabs  120 . As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , retaining tabs  120  are inserted into opening  52  to retain spring clip  16  on body  12 . Conduit  18  is inserted into the open end of body  12  from the rearward second end  30  to extend through body  12  to expose the wires  22  at the open front end. Grommet  14  is placed over the exposed end of the conduit  18  so that wires  22  extend through the opening in grommet  14 . Grommet  14  is inserted into the open end of body  12  and is seated against the front end of body  12  as shown in  FIG. 2 . Locking tabs  68  on grommet  14  slide into the axial passage of body  12  and are received in opening  38  to couple grommet  14  to body  12 . 
   Conduit  18  in preferred embodiments of the invention is a spiral wound metal sheath that is formed with hills  128  and valleys  130  and has a dimension to fit within the passage of body  12 . Gripping tab  46  of body  12  extends inwardly a distance to engage conduit and preferable contact a valley  130  of conduit  18  to position conduit  18  within body  12 . Main body portion  80  of spring clip  16  is then depressed which causes first leg  86  to pivot, contact and grip the outer surface of conduit  18  and to insert retaining tabs  120  through opening  52  of body  12 . Preferably, curved end  92  of first leg  86  contacts a valley portion of the conduit  18 . The angle of the gripping end  90  of first leg  86  preferably is aligned with the angle of the spiral winding of the conduit to assist in gripping the conduit and preventing movement of the conduit within the connector assembly  10 . The curved edges  126  of retaining tabs  120  of spring clip  12  contact the rearward edges of opening  52  to capture the spring clip  16  and conduit  18  in body  12 . Body potion  80  of spring clip  12  is depressed further until latching tabs  112  are inserted into opening  52  and the latching edges  116  latch onto the inner edges of body  12  at the forward end of opening  52  as shown in  FIG. 3 . 
   The curved edges of the retaining tabs  120  engage the rearward edges of opening  52  and the latching tabs  112  engage the forward end of opening  52  so that the spring clip  16  is secured to body  12  to resist separation of spring clip  16  from body  12  and to resist longitudinal movement of spring clip  16  within body  12 . In addition, the latching tabs  112  when hooked to the edges of opening  52  apply a spring biasing force to bias first leg  86  of spring clip  12  into contact with conduit  18  to couple conduit  18  to body  12  prior to inserting assembly  10  into an opening in the electrical box. 
   Once assembly  10  and conduit  18  are coupled together, assembly  10  is then connected to electrical box  20 . Electrical box  20  is typically a standard electrical box having one or more knock-outs or pry-outs to define an opening  132  through the side wall  134  of electrical box  20 . Assembly  10  is inserted through opening  132  from the outside with wires  22  extending into the internal cavity of electrical box  20 . As shown in  FIG. 7 , assembly  10  is inserted through opening  132  at an angle so that connecting tab  34  is positioned within the electrical box to contact an inner surface of side wall  134 . Assembly is then straightened so that tabs  40  contact the outer surface of side wall  134  and the tabs  100  of second leg  94  hooks onto the inner face of side wall  134  to retain assembly coupled to electrical box  20 . 
   Referring to  FIGS. 8-15 , a second embodiment of the connector assembly  150  is shown. Connector assembly  150  is similar to connector assembly  10  except for the spring clip  152 . Accordingly, similar elements are identified by the same reference numbers as in the embodiment of  FIGS. 1-7  with the addition of a prime. 
   Referring to the drawings, the connector assembly  150  includes a body  12 ′, a grommet  14 ′ and the spring clip  152 . As shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , grommet  14 ′ is inserted into the axial passage of body  12 ′ at a first end. 
   As shown in  FIGS. 10-12 , spring clip  152  is coupled to the second end of body  12 ′ in a manner similar to the embodiment of  FIGS. 1-7 . Spring clip  152  has a main body portion  154  that is substantially flat with a first end  156 , a second end  158  and opposite side edges  160 . A first leg  162  extends from second end  158  of main body portion  154 . As shown, first leg  162  is integrally formed with main body portion  154  and is bent in a generally forward direction toward first end  156 . First leg  162  is oriented at an incline with respect to the plane of main body portion  154  and terminates at an end portion  164  that curves outwardly away from the plane of first leg  162  and the plane of main body portion  154 . In the embodiment shown, end portion  164  has a substantially straight edge  166 . In alternative embodiments, the edge  167  of the end portion can have a concave or convex shape to grip the conduit as in the previous embodiment. End portion  164  typically has a width that is narrower than the width of the first leg  162 . 
   Spring clip  152  has a pair of latching members  166  on the side edge of main body portion  154  as shown in  FIGS. 11 and 13 . Latching members  166  are formed by a substantially planar retaining tab  168  extending perpendicular to the plane of main body portion  154 . The retaining tabs  168  have a first end  170 , a second end  172  and an outer edge  174  extending between first end  170  and second end  172 . A latching tab  176  is formed along the outer edge  174  of retaining tab  168 . Latching tab  176  is positioned for coupling with body  12 ′ to couple spring clip  152  to body  12 ′ in a manner similar to the previous embodiment. In the embodiment shown, latching tab  176  is a planar tab that is bent outwardly at an angle with respect to the plane of retaining tab  168  and extends at an angle between outer edge  174  and first end  170 . In the embodiment shown, second end  172  has a curved concave shape. First end  170  is formed with a recessed, hook-like portion  177 . 
   A second leg  178  extends from main body portion  154  and has a width less than the width of main body portion  154 . A pair of coupling tabs  180  extend from side edges of second leg  178  and are angled away from main body portion  154  opposite first leg  162 . As shown, the leading edge  182  of coupling tabs  180  are angled to assist in inserting through the opening in an electrical box. 
   The connector assembly  150  is assembled in a similar manner as the previous embodiment by inserting grommet  14 ′ into the first end of body  12 ′ and inserting the first leg  162  of spring clip  152  into the second end of body  12 ′. A conduit  18 ′ such as a spiral wound armored cable is inserted into a second end of body  12 ′ so that the wires  22 ′ extend through the central opening in the grommet  14 ′ as shown in  FIG. 15 . Spring clip  152  is then depressed to insert retaining tabs  168  through the openings  52 ′ until latching tab  176  passes through and couples with the edge of opening  52 ′. Spring clip  152  is assembled with body  12 ′ with the recess formed by the connection between first leg  162  and main body portion  154  contacts the edge of body  12 ′ and second end  172  to resist longitudinal movement of spring clip  152  with respect to body  12 ′. By coupling latching tab  176  to opening  52 ′, first leg  162  applies a biasing force to the conduit to couple the connector assembly  150  to the conduit  18 ′. The connector assembly  150  and the conduit then are inserted through the opening in the electrical box and the coupling tabs  180  connect to the electrical box as shown in  FIG. 15 . 
   While various embodiments have been selected to illustrate the invention it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.