Abstract:
A method of connecting two raceways, comprising the steps of joining respective ends of first and second raceways at a first junction area so that the ends of the first and second raceways engage and form a miter joint at the first junction area, coupling a first cover fitting over the first junction area so that a portion of the first cover fitting engages each end, respectively, of the first and second raceways, joining respective ends of third and fourth raceways at a second junction area so that the ends of the third and fourth raceways are spaced from one another at the second junction area with a curved base disposed therebetween, and coupling a second cover fitting over the second junction area so that a portion of the second cover fitting engages each end of the third and fourth raceways, respectively.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/784,333 filed on Feb. 16, 2001 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,344,611, is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/512,674 filed on March 8, 2000, now abandoned, the subject matter of each of which is herewith incorporated by reference. 

   FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to wire delivery systems, such as a raceway, and fittings used for connecting more than one raceway. In particular, the fittings are formed of various elbows and tees to allow the wire delivery system to easily manage corners of a room. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Wire delivery systems, such as raceways, are employed to hold and manage wires, such as voice, data, and power wiring. Specifically, the raceway is mounted to a supporting surface, such as a wall or ceiling, and the raceway distributes the wires carried therein throughout a room. Fittings, such as interior and exterior elbows and tees, are used to connect more than one raceway, especially when negotiating corners of the room. This provides efficient delivery and management of the wiring throughout a room while hiding the unattractive wires. 
   Particular types of wiring fiber optic or category 5 cable, can require certain bend radii when the direction of the wiring changes, such as at a corner of a room. As a result, it is necessary to make and use special fittings that add a curved base having the appropriate bend radius to avoid damage to the wires or cables. Commonly, one type of raceway fitting is used for wire or cable needing a specific bend radius while another is used when the wire or cable does not need a specific bend radius. This type of situation increases costs and is inefficient. 
   Examples of prior art fittings are disclosed in the U.S. Pat. No.: 6,002,089 to Hemingway et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,753,855 to Nicoli et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,390,968 to Favalora; U.S. Pat. No. 5,469,893 to Caveney et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,929,380 Carlson, Jr. et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,161,580 to Klug; U.S. Pat. No. 4,951,716 to Tsunoda et al.; and U.S. Pat. No. D413,306 to Scherer et al. and U.K. Patent No. 1,493,410. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   Accordingly, an object of the invention is to provide an improved raceway fitting that is cost effective and efficient to use. 
   Another object of the present invention is provide a raceway fitting that can be employed in applications needing a curved base or applications not requiring a curved base. 
   Yet another object of the present invention is provide a raceway fitting that can be used with a mitered connection between raceways or with a curved adapter. 
   The foregoing primary object is basically attained by a cover fitting for a raceway, comprising a top having inner and outer surfaces and first and second curved walls extending along the inner surface forming a first segment of a first groove for receiving a first partition of a raceway base fitting covered by the cover fitting. The top further includes a plurality of securing members extending outwardly from its inner surface for engaging a portion of a raceway base. The cover fitting also has a first side extending outwardly from the inner surface and a second side extending outwardly from the inner surface remote from the first side. 
   The foregoing primary object is also attained by a method of connecting two substantially identical cover fittings to a raceway wherein said two substantially identical cover fittings include first and second cover fittings, each of the first and second cover fittings have a top and opposing first and second sides. The method comprises the steps of placing the first cover fitting over a junction point of two raceway bases, the junction point being a miter joint and placing the second cover fitting over a curved base fitting coupled between two raceway bases. 
   One benefit of the invention is that by designing the cover fitting in this fashion, it can be employed either with a base for accommodating wiring such as category 5 which mat require a specific bend radius, or without a base for wiring not requiring a specific bend radius. Therefore, the need for two separate cover fittings for each application is eliminated reducing manufacturing costs and increasing efficiency in employing a raceway delivery system. 
   Other objects, advantages and salient features of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, which taken in conjunction with the annexed drawings, discloses preferred embodiments of the invention. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Referring to the drawings which form a part of this disclosure 
       FIG. 1  is a top side perspective view of a raceway fitting according to a first embodiment of the present invention, illustrating the fitting assembled on two mitered raceways; 
       FIG. 2  is a top side perspective view of the raceway fitting illustrated in  FIG. 1 , but showing the fitting assembled with two non-mitered raceways with a raceway base located between the raceways and under the fitting; 
       FIG. 3  is an exploded, front, side perspective view of raceway fitting in  FIG. 1 , showing the fitting being connected to two mitered raceways; 
       FIG. 4  is an exploded, front, side perspective view of raceway fitting in  FIG. 2 , showing the fitting being connected to two raceways with a base therebetween; 
       FIG. 5  is an exploded, front, side perspective view of the raceway fitting in  FIG. 1 , showing the fitting being assembled with a curved base; 
       FIG. 6  is a rear, side perspective view of the raceway fitting illustrated in  FIG. 1 , showing grooves and guide ribs employed in category 5 and non-category 5 applications; 
       FIG. 7  is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line  7 — 7  in  FIG. 1 , showing the fitting engaged with a raceway; 
       FIG. 8  is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line  8 — 8  in  FIG. 2 , showing the fitting engaged with a raceway with a base disposed therebetween; 
       FIG. 9  is an exploded, front, top perspective view of a raceway fitting according to a second embodiment of the invention, illustrating the fitting being connected to two mitered raceways; 
       FIG. 10  is an exploded, front, top perspective view of the raceway fitting illustrated in  FIG. 9 , showing the fitting being connected to two non-mitered raceways with a base therebetween; 
       FIG. 11  is an exploded, front, top perspective view of the raceway fitting in  FIG. 9 , showing the fitting with a curved base; 
       FIG. 12  is an exploded, front, top perspective view of a raceway fitting according to a third embodiment of the invention, illustrating the fitting being connected to two mitered raceways; 
       FIG. 13  is an exploded, front, top perspective view of the raceway fitting illustrated in  FIG. 12 , showing the fitting being connected to two non-mitered raceways with a base therebetween; and 
       FIG. 14  is an exploded, front, top perspective view of the raceway fitting in  FIG. 12 , showing the fitting with a curved base. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   A wire delivery system comprises raceways  10  that hold wiring and a cover fitting  12 , according to the present invention, connecting the two raceways  10 , as seen in  FIGS. 1-8 . A base fitting  14 , can alternatively be used with cover fitting  12  in applications, such as category 5 applications or fiber optic cables, that require a certain bend radius to prevent damage to the wiring. 
   In particular,  FIGS. 1 and 3  show cover fitting  12  connecting two mitered raceways  10  with their respective ends abutting one another forming a miter joint. Such an arrangement is employed when delivering power and/or voice wiring which do not require a certain bend radius when a change in direction occurs, such as non-category 5 applications.  FIGS. 2 and 4  show cover fitting  12  alternatively being used to connect two non-mitered raceways  10  with their respective ends being spaced from one another with a curved base fitting disposed therebetween and under cover fitting  12 . Base fitting  14  provides a specific bend radius, for example, the appropriate bend radius for category 5 wiring. Although the assemblies shown  FIGS. 1 and 2  are the same, sectional views in  FIGS. 7 and 8  clearly show the distinctions between the two figures, as will be discussed in detail below. 
   Raceway  10  is generally a plastic, elongated member that holds wiring to be delivered throughout a room, such as an office, protecting and hiding the unattractive wiring from view. Raceway  10  includes a raceway base  16  mounted to a surface by fasteners  17  (see  FIG. 3 ) with a raceway cover  18  attached thereto, forming an enclosure for holding the wiring. Specifically, raceway base  16  includes a bottom wall  20  and opposing sidewalls  22  extending perpendicularly from bottom wall  20  with each sidewall  22  having an inward lip  24  for engaging raceway cover  18 , as seen in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . First an second dividing walls  26  also extend from bottom wall  20  equal distant from each side all  22 , respectively, forming three channels, two outer channels  30  and a middle chanel  22 , each having substantially the same dimensions. The multi-channels allow raceway  10  to carry any combination of wiring, such as voice, data or power wiring. Each outer channel  30  each includes a track  34  that both connects to base fitting  14  and provides a guide for extending fastener  17  through raceway  10  when mounting raceway  10 . 
   Raceway cover  18  is connected to raceway base  16  by mounting raceway cover  18  on support members  28  disposed on the distal ends of dividing walls  26  of raceway base  16 . In particular, raceway cover  18  includes upper and lower surfaces  36  and  38  with hooks  40  extending downwardly from lower surface  38  proximate each side of raceway cover  18 . Hooks  40  correspond to and engage lips  24  of sidewalls  22  forming a separable connection with raceway base  16 . Raceway cover  18  also includes cover tracks  42  that extend along lower surface  38  that correspond to and receive support members  28  of dividing walls  26 , as best seen in  FIGS. 7 and 8 . 
   Referring to  FIGS. 1-8 , a flat elbow or cover fitting  12 , according to the first embodiment of the present invention, includes a top  50  and first and second opposing sides  52  and  54  extending from and being substantially perpendicular with cover fitting  12 . In particular, top  50  has two sections  56  connected at joint  59  having inner and outer surfaces  62  and  64  forming a substantial L-shape with first side  52  extending from the inner portion of the L and opposing second side extending along the outer portion of the L. Each section  56  further includes a central bend  60  that matches a bend  44  formed in raceway cover  18  allowing first and second ends  57  and  58  of each section  56 , respectively, to accommodate raceway  10 . A pair of hooks or securing members  66  extend from inner surface  62  and are disposed proximate first and second sides  52  and  54  at first and second ends  57  and  58  for engaging raceway  10 , as best seen in FIG.  6 . 
   Cover fitting  12  also includes first and second curved walls  68  and  70  extending along inner surface  62  between ends  57  and  58  proximate first side  52 , forming a first segment  72  of a first groove  74 , as best seen in  FIG. 6. A  first guide rib  76  also extends along inner surface  62  from end  57  to joint  59  forming a second segment  78  of first groove  74 . Likewise, a second guide rib  80  extends along inner surface  62  from second end  58  to joint  59  abutting the end of first guide rib  76  and forming a third segment  82  of first groove  74 . 
   Similarly, third and fourth curved walls  84  and  86  also extend long inner surface  62  between ends  57  and  58  and spaced from first and second walls  68  and  70 , forming a first segment  88  of a second groove  90 . Also a third guide rib  92  extends from second end  58  to joint  59  forming a second segment  94  of second groove. Likewise, a fourth guide rib  96  extends from first end  57  to joint  59  abutting third rib  92 , forming a third segment  98  of second groove  90 . 
   First and second grooves  74  and  90  define three curved channel sections along inner surface  62 , as shown in FIG.  6 . In particular, a first outer channel section  100  is defined between first side  52  and first curved wall  68  of first groove  74 . A second outer channel section  102  is defined between second side  54  and fourth curved wall  86  of second groove  90 . A third middle channel section  104  is defined between second curved wall  70  of first groove  74  and third curved wall  84  of second groove  90 . 
   First and second grooves  74  and  90  of cover fitting  12  are curved to accommodate the curvature of base fitting  14  with first, second, and third channel sections  100 ,  102 , and  104  corresponding to channel sections of base fitting  14 , as described below. When base fitting  14  is not employed, first, second, third, and fourth guide ribs  76 ,  80 ,  92 ,  96  define first, second, third guide channels sections  112 ,  114 , and  116  to guide and separate the wires extending from each raceway  10 . Specifically, first guide channel section  112  is defined between first side  52  and first and second guide ribs  76  and  80 . Second guide channel section  114  is defined between second side  54  and third and fourth guide ribs  92  and  96 . Third guide channel section  116  is defined between first and second guide channel sections  112  and  114 . 
   Preferably, inner surface  62  of top  50  also includes a strengthening rib  106  extending along joint  59  with a centrally disposed molding depression  108  and support ribs  110  extending from first and second sides  52  and  54  proximate each end  57  and  58 . However, strengthening rib  106  and support ribs  110  are not necessary in employing cover fitting  12 . In addition, it is preferable that cover fitting  12  be formed of a unitary one-piece member, but top  50 , sections  56 , and first and second sides  52  and  54  can be separably made and integrally attached by any known attachment. In addition, it is also preferable that cover fitting  12  be formed of the same material as raceway  10 , but these can be formed of any material, including any plastic material. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 4-6 , base fitting  14  includes a curve bottom  120  with curved first, second, third, and fourth partitions  122 ,  124 ,  126 , and  128 , extending substantially perpendicularly from bottom  1   20  with each subsequent partition, from first to fourth, being longer. The partitions form three channel sections which correspond to the channels of raceway  10  and the channel sections of cover fitting  12 . Specifically, a first base outer channel section  130  is formed between first partition  122  and second partition  124 . A second outer base channel section  132  is formed between third and fourth partitions  126  and  128 , and a third inner base channel section  133  is formed between first and second outer base channel sections  130  and  132 . First and second base channel sections  130  and  132  each further include a track  134  extending therethrough along inner surface  62 , which corresponds to tracks  34  of first and second outer channels  30  of raceway  10 , respectively. In addition, a tab  136  extends from each end of each track  134  for engaging tracks  34  of raceway  10  connecting base fitting  14  with raceway  10 . The curvature of bottom  120  and partitions  122 ,  124 ,  126 , and  128  are determined by the required bend radius needed for category 5 wiring when a change of direction occurs, such as when rounding a corner. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 1-8 , cover fitting  12  can be employed by itself to connect two mitered raceways  10  as in non-category 5 applications, for holding wires  27  that do not require a certain bend radius, as best seen in FIG.  3 . Alternatively, cover fitting  12  can be employed with base fitting  14  as in category 5 applications, for holding wires  29  that do require a certain bend radius, as best seen in FIG.  4 . In both instances, cover fitting  12  directly engages each raceway  10 . 
   In applications such as non-category 5 applications, the two raceways  10  are mitered and their ends abut one another forming a right angle or L, as seen in FIG.  3 . Cover fitting  12  connects the two raceways  10  by snap fitting cover fitting  12  over each raceway base  16  by releasably engaging hooks  66  with lips  24  of each raceway base fitting  16 , as seen in  FIG. 7 , such that one of the raceways extends through first end  57  of cover fitting  12  and the other raceway extends through second end  58 . Each hook  66  has a stop member  61  that abuts the top of lip  24  restricting the movement of raceway  10  with respect to cover fitting  12 ; Although it is preferable to employ a snap fit, any known type of attachment means can be used to engage the cover fitting  12  with each raceway  10 . 
   Prior to this engagement, a portion of raceway cover  18  must be cut away to allow access to lip  24  such that only the very end of cover fitting  12  covers raceway cover  18 . The rest of cover fitting  12  covers the raceway base  16  of each raceway  10  leaving a small space between support members  28  and top  50  with first and second sides  52  and  54  overlapping each sidewall  22  of each raceway  10 , respectively. First and second outer guide channels sections  112  and  114  defined along inner surface  62  of cover fitting  12  correspond to first and second outer raceway channels  30  of each raceway  10 . Similarly, third inner guide channel section  116  corresponds to middle raceway channel  32 . The guide channel sections of cover fitting  12  operate to guide and maintain separate the wires  27  held within their respective raceway channels when extended through the fitting. Although only one wire  27  is shown per guide channel section  112 ,  114 , and  116  of cover fitting  12 , any number of wires can be held within each guide channel section  112 ,  114 ,  116 , or each channel can be filled to capacity with wires. 
   In applications such as category-5 applications, the two raceways  10  are cut at a straight angle at their ends  31 , rather than mitered, and are spaced from one another such that only a portion of each respective raceway  10  extends into cover fitting  12 , as best seen in FIG.  4 . Cover fitting  12  connects the two raceways  10  in the same manner as described above for applications such as non-category 5 applications after a portion of each raceway cover  18  has been removed. However, when dealing with category 5-type wiring, base fitting  14  must be employed to prevent damage to the wiring. In particular, base fitting  14  is disposed between the ends of each raceway  10  with tabs  136  being received in tracks  34  of each raceway base  16 , connecting base fitting  14  to each raceway  10 . 
   In addition, as seen in  FIG. 8 , cover fitting  12  covers base fitting  14  such that second and third partitions  124  and  126  are received in first and second grooves  74  and  90 , respectively, and first and second sides  52  and  54  overlap both sidewalls  22  of each raceway  10  and first and fourth partitions  122  and  128  of base fitting  14 , restricting the movement of base fitting  14  with respect to cover fitting  12 . First and second base channel sections  130  and  132  correspond to first and second outer channel sections  100  and  102  of cover fitting  12  and middle base channel section  133  corresponds to middle channel section  104 . The channel sections of cover fitting  12  and base fitting  14  form three channels which correspond to the raceway channels of each raceway  10  keeping the wires  29  of each raceway channel separate as they extend through cover fitting  12  and base fitting  14 . Although only one wire  29  is shown per channel, any number of wires can be held within each channel, or each channel can be filled to capacity with wires. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 9-11 , an internal elbow or cover fitting  138 , according to a second embodiment of the present invention, includes a top  140  (see  FIG. 11 ) and first and second opposing sides  144  and  146  extending from opposing ends of cover fitting  138 , similar to cover fitting  12 . However, unlike top  50  of cover fitting  12 , top  140  is formed of one section having a convex inner surface  148  and a concave outer surface  150 . First and second sides  144  and  146  extend from inner surface  148  and are curved to match the curvature of top  140 . This allows cover-fitting  138  to connect two raceways  10  when they converge to a corner forming an acute angle  162  therebetween, since the curvature of top  140  and first and second sides  144  and  146  corresponds to the acute angle  162 , as best seen in  FIGS. 9 and 10 , such that top  140  covers each raceway base  16  and first and second sides  144  and  146  overlap the sidewalls  22  of each raceway base  16 . 
   As with cover fitting  12 , cover-fitting  138  has hooks that engage each lip  24  of each raceway base  16  and a central bend  142  disposed laterally across top  140  that accommodates bend  44  of each raceway  10  upon assembling cover fitting  138  with raceways  10 . In addition, cover fitting  138  includes first and second grooves  152  and  154  which extend laterally across inner surface  148 . First and second grooves  152  and  154  are spaced from one another on either side of central bend  142  forming a first outer channel section  156  between first side  144  and first groove  152 , a second outer channel section  158  between second side  146  and second groove  154 , and a middle channel section  160  defined between first and second channel sections  156  and  158 . 
   In non-category 5-type applications, cover fitting  138  connects two mitered raceways  10  in the same manner as described above for cover fitting  12 . However, unlike cover fitting  12 , the channel sections  156 ,  158 , and  160  of cover fitting  138  correspond to raceway channels  30  and  32  of each raceway  10  upon mating cover fitting  138  with each raceway  10 . Thus the need for guide ribs as used with cover fitting  12  is eliminated. Each channel section  156 ,  158 , and  160  hold wires  27 , which do not require a certain bend radius. 
   In category 5-type applications, an internal base fitting  170  must be used with cover fitting  138  to provide the appropriate bend radius for wires  29 , as discussed above with respect to cover fitting  12  and base fitting  14 . 
   Base fitting  170  includes a bottom  172  with a concave inner surface  173  that matches convex inner surface  148  of cover fitting  138  and acute angle  162 , such that base fitting  170  can be inserted between raceways  10  in the same manner as described above for base fitting  14 , as best seen in FIG.  10 . Similar to base fitting  14 , base fitting  170  has curved first, second, third, and fourth partitions  174 , 176 ,  178 , and  180  extending substantially perpendicularly from bottom  172  and each has a curvature that matches the curvature of bottom  172 . Partitions  174 ,  176 ,  178 , and  180  form three channel sections which correspond to the channels of raceway  10  and the channel sections of cover fitting  138 . Specifically, a first base outer channel section  182  is formed between first partition  174  and second partition  176 . A second outer base channel section  184  is formed between third and fourth partitions  178  and  180 , and a third inner base channel section  186  is formed between first and second outer base channel sections  182  and  184 . First and second base channel sections  182  and  184  correspond to first and second outer channel sections  156  and  158  of cover fitting  138  and third inner base channel section  186  corresponds to middle channel section  160 . 
   Upon assembling cover fitting  138  and base fitting  170 , the channel sections of cover fitting  138  and base fitting  170  form three channels which correspond to the raceway channels  30  and  32  keeping the wires of each raceway channel separate as they extend through the cover fitting  138  and the base fitting  170 . In addition, second and third partitions  176  and  178  of base fitting  170  are received in first and second grooves  152  and  154  of cover fitting  138 , and first and second sides  144  and  146  of cover fitting  138  overlap first and fourth partitions  174  and  180 , respectively. Each partition  174 ,  176 ,  178 , and  180  further includes a cut out portion  192  that is shaped to accommodate convex inner surface  148  of cover fitting such that each cut out portion  192  abuts inner surface  148 . Also, base fitting  170  is connected to each raceway  10  in the same manner as base fitting  14 . Specifically, first and second base channel sections  182  and  184  of base fitting  170  each include a track  188  extending therethrough which corresponds to tracks  34  of first and second outer channels  30  of each raceway  10 , respectively. In addition, a tab  190  extends from each end of each track  188  and is received in tracks  34  connecting base fitting  170  to each raceway  10 . 
   Referring to  FIGS. 12-14 , an external elbow or cover fitting  200 , according to a third embodiment of the present invention, which like cover fitting  12  and cover fitting  138 , includes a top  202  and first and second opposing sides  204  and  206  extending from opposing ends of cover fitting  200 , as best seen in FIG.  14 . 
   Top  202  is formed of two sections  208  with each section having a first flat portion  210 , a second ramp portion  212 , and a third larger ramp portion  214 . A flat central portion  216  connects the two sections  208  forming a substantially V-shaped top  202  wherein the inner surface  218  forms the inner portion of the V and the outer surface  219  forms the outer portion of the V, as best seen in FIG.  14 . First and second sides  204  and  206  extend from inner surface  218  and are similarly V-shaped. This allows cover-fitting  200  to connect two raceways  10  when they converge to a corner forming an obtuse angle  220  therebetween, since the V-shape of top  202  matches obtuse angle  220 , as best seen in  FIGS. 12 and 13 , such that top  202  covers each raceway base  16  and first and second sides  204  and  206  overlap the sidewalls  22  of each raceway base  16 . 
   As with cover fittings  12  and  138 , cover fitting  200  engages raceway base  16  with hooks that connect to each lip  24  of each raceway base  16 . Cover fitting  200  also includes a central bend  222  disposed laterally across top  202  that, like cover fittings  12  and  138 , accommodates bend  44  of each raceway  10  upon assembling cover fitting  200  with raceways  10 . In addition, cover fitting  202  includes first and second grooves  228  and  230  which extend laterally across inner surface  148  and form first and second outer channel sections  232  and  234  and a middle channel section  236  in the same manner as first and second grooves  152  and  154  of cover fitting  138 . Like cover fitting  138 , in non-category 5 applications the channel sections  232 ,  234 , and  236  directly correspond to the channels  30  and  32  of each raceway  10  to separate the wires  27  within each respective channel. 
   In category 5-type applications, an external base fitting  240  must be used with cover fitting  200  to provide the appropriate bend radius. Base fitting  240  includes a bottom  242  having a convex mid portion  244  and two curved outer portions  246  extending from mid portion  244  forming a substantial V-shaped bottom  242 , such that the inner surface  243  forms the outer portion of the V and the outer surface forms the inner surface of the V inner surface to corresponding to cover fitting  200  and obtuse angle  220 . This allows base fitting  240  to be inserted between raceways  10  in the same manner as described above for base fitting  170 , by employing tabs  262  that extend from tracks  264 , as best seen in  FIGS. 13 and 14 . 
   Similar to base fitting  170 , base fitting  240  has curved first, second, third, and fourth partitions  248 ,  250 ,  252 , and  254  extending from inner surface  243  of bottom  242  and each is substantially V-shaped to match the curvature of inner surface  243 . Like the partitions of base fitting  170 , partitions  248 ,  250 ,  252 , and  254  form first and second base outer channel sections  256  and  258 , and a third inner base channel section  260  in the same manner. Also, first and second base channel sections  256  and  258  correspond to first and second outer channel sections  232  and  234  of cover fitting  200  and third inner base channel section  260  corresponds to middle channel section  236 . 
   As with cover fitting  138  and base fitting  170 , upon assembling cover fitting  200  and base fitting  240 , the channel sections of each fitting form three channels that correspond to the channels  30  and  32  of each raceway  10  for holding wires  29 . In addition, second and third partitions  250  and  252  are received in first and second grooves  228  and  230  of cover fitting  200 , and first and second sides  204  and  206  of cover fitting  200  overlap first and fourth partitions  248  and  254 , respectively. First and fourth partitions  248  and  254  further each include a flat end  266  that accommodates and abuts central portion  216  of cover fitting  200 . 
   By designing cover fittings  12 ,  138 , and  200  in the fashion described above, two substantially identical cover fittings can be used for two different applications. For example, with first and second cover fittings that are substantially identical, the first cover fitting can be employed on a raceway that is mitered and the second cover fitting can be used with a base fitting on a non-mitered raceway carrying, for example, category 5 wires. Thus, manufacturing costs are reduced by requiring only one mold to make both the first and second cover fittings and efficiency is increased since the same cover fitting can be used for both applications requiring bends, such as with category 5, and with applications not requiring bends, such as with non-category 5 applications. 
   While particular embodiments have been chosen to illustrate the invention, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.