Abstract:
An electrical connection assembly for securing electrical metal conduit to a junction box or the like, having a connection body with an inlet end portion for receiving a conduit wherein the inlet end includes a first portion sized to snugly receive an end portion of a conduit and a second portion having an internal surface that diverges outwardly toward the opening of the inlet end portion. A unitary sealing and compression ring is fitted onto the end portion of a conduit, and is positioned thereon so that the sealing ring portion of the unitary ring is received within the inlet end portion. A fastening nut secures the conduit to the inlet portion by causing the sealing ring portion to form a water or fluid tight seal between the connector body and the associated conduit and forming a mechanically sound connection between the connector body and the conduit. The unitary sealing and compression ring formed of metal insures positive electrical grounding of the assembled connection.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]     This application is a continuation application of application Ser. No. 10/639,906 filed Aug. 13, 2003 for Electrical Connection Assembly With Unitary Sealing And Compression Ring. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     This invention is directed to a connection assembly, and more specifically to a connector or coupling assembly having a unitary sealing and compression ring to effect a positively secured, sealed and electrically grounded connection.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     Heretofore it was common practice to secure an electric metal conduit that shields electrical conductors, wires or cables by inserting one end of a conduit into an externally threaded inlet end of a connecting body and securing the conduit to the threaded inlet end of the connecting body by a suitable tightening nut. The outlet end of the connecting body in turn was secured to an electrical junction box by inserting the other or outlet end of the connecting body into the knockout hole of the electrical junction box and securing the same by a locking nut or other suitable means, e.g. a snap fit retaining means as disclosed in a co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/283,978 filed Oct. 30, 2002, which is incorporated herein by reference. It has been noted that such prior known connecting assemblies did not prohibit rain or water from seeking its way through the connection. Also, electrical grounding of conduits was not at all times positive.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0004]     An object of this invention is to provide an improved coupling or connector assembly which is capable of prohibiting water or rain from seeping through the coupling or connector assembly.  
         [0005]     Another object is to provide an improved coupling or connector assembly capable of effecting a positive electrical grounding of a conduit connected thereto.  
         [0006]     Another object is to provide an improved electrical coupling or connector assembly that is relatively simple to fabricate, easy to assemble and positive in operation.  
         [0007]     Another object is to provide an electrical connection assembly having a unitary or integrally formed sealing and compression ring adapted to be snugly fitted onto an end portion of a conduit that will effectively secure, seal and electrically ground the conduit upon assembly of the connection assembly.  
         [0008]     The foregoing objects and other features and advantages are readily obtained by a connector or coupling assembly that includes a connector or coupling body provided with an inlet end having an opening adapted to receive a conduit, and an outlet having an opening through which the electrical conductors, wires, or cables adapted to be inserted through the conduit may extend. The external surface of the inlet end is threaded to receive a connecting nut for securing the conduit to the inlet end. The connector or coupling body is provided with a through bore having a shoulder formed intermediate the length thereof to define a stop to limit the distance a conduit may be inserted thereinto. The internal surface of the inlet end of the connector or coupling body may be optionally provided with a second ridge or stop, disposed between the intermediate shoulder stop and the opening to the inlet end. The internal surface of the inlet end includes a first portion that is generally shaped and sized to snugly receive the outer surface of the conduit, and a second portion wherein the internal surface tapers or diverges outwardly toward the inlet opening.  
         [0009]     To secure, seal and to provide a positive electric ground for the conduit, a unitary sealing and compression ring is fitted onto the end of the conduit. The sealing ring portion of the unitary sealing and compression ring is provided with a sloping or tapered outer surface that complements the taper of the outer second portion of the inlet end. The compression ring portion of the unitary sealing and compression ring is provided with an outer camming surface which is sloped in the opposite direction to that of the sealing ring portion, and to a greater degree of slope.  
         [0010]     The arrangement is such that as the connecting nut is tightened onto the threaded inlet end of the connector body, the metallic unitary sealing ring portion is urged into a positive sealing relationship between the conduit and the second portion of the inlet end of the connector or coupling as the metallic compression ring portion is being compressed onto the conduit to insure a positive electric grounding of the conduit while imparting a secure frictional holding force sufficient to prohibit the conduit from being pulled out of the connector or coupling body.  
         [0011]     Other features and advantages will become readily apparent in view of the following detailed description and drawings. 
     
    
     IN THE DRAWINGS  
       [0012]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an assembled connector embodying the present invention.  
         [0013]      FIG. 2  is an expanded perspective view illustrating the component parts of a connector embodying the invention.  
         [0014]      FIG. 3  is a side sectional view of the connector assembly embodying the invention taken along line  3 - 3  on  FIG. 1 .  
         [0015]      FIG. 4  is a side view of the unitary sealing and compression ring component.  
         [0016]      FIG. 5  is an end view of  FIG. 4 .  
         [0017]      FIG. 6  is a sectional view taken along line  6 - 6  on  FIG. 5 .  
         [0018]      FIG. 7  is a sectional side view of a coupling assembly embodying the invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0019]     Referring to the drawings, there is illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2  a connection assembly embodying the invention. A connection assembly as broadly used herein encompasses a connector assembly  10 , by which an electric metallic conduit  11  is connected to an electrical junction box  35  as shown in  FIG. 1 , or coupling assembly  40  as shown in  FIG. 7  for coupling two conduits  41 A and  41 B in end to end relationship.  
         [0020]     The illustrated embodiment of the invention as depicted in FIGS.  1  to  6  is directed to a connector assembly  10  which includes a connector body  12  which is generally formed as zinc casting or other suitable metal. The connector body  12  includes an inlet end  13 A and an outlet end  13 B. In the illustrated embodiment of  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the outer surfaces of the inlet end  13 A and outlet end  13 B are provided with suitable external threads  14 . The connector body  12  also includes a through bore  15 , as will be hereinafter described in more detail. Intermediate the inlet end  13 A and outlet end  13 B, the connector body  12  is provided with a radially outwardly extending flange  16  having a hexagonal shape. However, it will be understood that the flange  16  may assume any suitable shape that will facilitate gripping the same for purposes of assembling.  
         [0021]     Intermediate between the inlet opening  17  and the outlet opening  18  of the through bore  15  there is formed an internal shoulder  19  which functions as a stop to limit the distance a conduit  11  can be inserted into the inlet end  13 A of the connector body  12 . Generally, such conduits are formed of metal, e.g. steel and the like.  
         [0022]     In accordance with this invention, the portion of the through bore  15  defining the distal portion or first portion  15 A of the inlet end  13 A, adjacent the stop shoulder  19 , has a substantially uniform diameter D of a size and shape to snugly receive the end portion of the conduit  11  as shown in  FIG. 3 . The distal or first portion  15 A of the inlet end  13 A extends from the stop shoulder  19  to an intermediate point or ridge or shoulder  20  spaced inwardly of the inlet opening  17 . It will be understood that the ridge  20  is optional. The internal surface at the proximate end of the inlet  13 A or second portion  15 B of the inlet end  13 A has an internal surface that tapers outwardly so that the diameter d of proximate end or second portion  15 A progressively increases from the end of the first portion  15 A to the inlet opening  17 . The portion of the bore  15  defining the outlet end  13 B has a diameter D 1  which is slightly less than diameter D, as determined by the thickness of the stop shoulder  19 .  
         [0023]     In accordance with this invention, a unitary metallic sealing and compression ring  22  is snugly fitted onto an end portion of a conduit  11  as seen in  FIG. 3 . The unitary sealing and compression ring  22  includes a sealing ring portion  22 A and a compression ring portion  22 B. The internal surface  23  of the sealing and compression ring  22  is sized so as to be fitted onto the end portion of a conduit, e.g. conduit  11 . The external surface  24  of the sealing ring portion  22 A is formed with a slight taper that complements the internal taper of the described second portion  15 B of the inlet end  13 A. As best seen in  FIG. 6 , the taper  24  slopes in a radially outward direction. At a point intermediately of the width W of the ring  22 , there is formed a radially outwardly extending shoulder  25 . Between the shoulder  25  and the inlet opening  26 , the outer surface  27  defines a camming surface that slopes downwardly from the shoulder  25  to the inlet opening  26 . Preferably, the unitary sealing and compression ring  22  is formed of brass.  
         [0024]     A fastening nut  30  is provided for securing the conduit  11  to the inlet end  13 A of the connector body  12 . The nut  30  is provided with internal threads  31  by which it can be threaded onto the external threads  14  of the inlet end  13 A of the connector body  12 . The nut  30  is provided with an opening  32  sized to permit the nut  30  to be fitted onto the end of the conduit  11 . Circumscribing the opening  32 , the nut  30  is provided with an internal cam surface  33  arranged to engage the external cam surface  27  of the combined sealing and compression ring  22  as the nut  30  is threaded onto the inlet end  13 A of the connector body  12  to finally secure the conduit  11  to the connector body  12 .  
         [0025]     Completing the connector assembly  10  is a resilient washer  34  formed of a resilient plastic, rubber or the like, which is arranged to be fitted onto the outlet end  13 B of the connector body  12 . In operation, the washer  34  is fitted onto the outlet end  13 B of the connector body  12  so as to be positioned between the flange  16  and the side wall of a junction box  35  or the like. A lock nut  36  or other suitable locking fastener is fitted onto the outlet end portion  13 B of the connector to positively secure the connector body  12  to an electrical junction box  35  or the like. As the locking nut  36  is tightened onto the outlet end  13 B of the connector body  12 , the resilient washer  34  is compressed or wedged between the flange  16  and the side wall of the junction box  35 . Accordingly, the resilient washer  34  provides a seal about the knockout opening of the junction box  35  that receives the outlet end portion  13 B of the connector body  12 .  
         [0026]     In assembling the connector assembly  10 , the fastening nut  30  is positioned onto the end of the conduit  11 , as noted in  FIG. 3 . The unitary sealing and compression ring  22  is then fitted onto the end of the conduit so that the sealing ring portion  22 A is received within the inlet end  13 A as noted in  FIG. 2 . With the fastening nut  30 , and sealing and compression ring  22  thus positioned onto the end of the conduit, the conduit  11  is inserted into the inlet end  13 A until the end of the conduit  11  is brought into abutting relationship with stop shoulder  19 . With the conduit  11  seated against the stop shoulder  19 , the fastening nut  30  is tightened onto the inlet end  13 A. The tightening of the fastening nut  30  onto the inlet end  13 A causes the cam surface  33  of the nut to engage the compression ring portion  22 B. In doing so, the sealing ring portion  22 A is urged or wedged between the outer surface of the conduit  11  and the internal tapered surface  15 B of the inlet portion  13 A to form a fluid tight seal thereat while causing the compression ring portion  22 B to be compressed tightly onto the periphery of the conduit  11  to positively secure the connection so as to preclude any separation or pull out of the conduit  11  from the connector body  13 . As the sealing and compression ring  22  is formed of a metal; preferably brass, a positive electrical grounding of the conduit and connector assembly is also achieved.  
         [0027]     It will be understood that the conduit  11  may be connected to the connector body  12  either before or after the connector body  12  has been attached to a juncture box  35  or the like. To secure the described connector body  12  to a juncture box  35 , a resilient washer  34  is positioned on the outlet end  13 B, which is then inserted through a knockout hole of a juncture box  35  and secured thereto by the lock nut  36  or by other means, e.g. a snap fit ring as disclosed in the heretofore mentioned co-pending application.  
         [0028]      FIG. 7  illustrates a modified embodiment of the invention as applied to a coupling assembly  40  for connecting conduits  41 A and  41 B in end to end relationship. As shown, the coupler assembly  40  includes a coupling body  42  which may be formed of a suitable material, e.g. a zinc casting or the like. The coupling body  42  is provided with opposed inlet and outlet end portions  42 A,  42 B having a through bore  43 . In the illustrated embodiment, the outer surfaces of the inlet and outlet portions  42 A,  42 B are externally threaded as indicated as  44 . Between the opposed open ends of the bore, there is provided on the internal surface thereof a circumscribing rib, ridge or shoulder  45 . As will be noted, the shoulder  45  defines a stop to limit the insertion of conduits  41 A,  41 B into the opposed end portions of the coupling body  42 .  
         [0029]     The respective opposed end portions  42 A,  42 B are each provided with a bore portion  43 A having a substantially uniform diameter sized to snugly receive the outer diameter of the conduit to be fitted thereinto, and an internally tapered or second portion  43 B similar to that hereinbefore described with respect to the connector body  13 .  
         [0030]     Externally, the coupling body  42  is provided with an external radial flange  45 A having a shape that can be readily gripped to effect the turning thereof if necessary for assembly purposes. The external surfaces of the respective opposed ends of the coupling body  42  are suitably threaded for receiving a fastening nut  46  similar to the fastening nut  30  hereinbefore described.  
         [0031]     A unitary sealing and compression ring  47  constructed as hereinbefore described, is fitted onto each end of the respective conduits  41 A,  41 B.  
         [0032]     To assemble the described coupling assembly  40 , each of the respective conduits is fitted with the fastening nut  46 . The described unitary sealing and compression ring  47  is then fitted onto the end of the respective conduits  41 A,  41 B. The unitary ring  47  is positioned on the conduit so that the sealing ring portion  47 A is received within the end portion of the coupler body. With the nut  46  and unitary ring  47  so positioned on the end of a conduit, the end of the conduit is inserted into one end portion of the coupling body  42  until the conduit is seated or abuts the stop shoulder  45 . The fastening nut  46  is then threaded onto its respective end portion until the sealing ring portion  47 A has wedged itself into sealing relationship between the inlet end of the coupling body  42  and the mating conduit. The tightening of the fastening nut  46 , as hereinbefore described, causes the compression ring portion  47 B to be tightly compressed onto the conduit. As the unitary ring  47  is preferably formed of brass, a positive electric grounding is also effected in the assembly of the coupler assembly  40 .  
         [0033]     From the foregoing, it will be apparent that a fluid tight and a pressure tight connection is effected between the connector or coupling body and its corresponding conduit whereby any pullout or separation of the conduit is positively prohibited, and at the same time a positive electrical grounding of the conduit and the associated connector or coupling body is achieved.  
         [0034]     While the invention has been described with respect to several embodiments thereof, it will be understood that variations and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.