Weatherproof compression connecting assembly for securing electrical metal tubing
View Patent ↗A water proof electrical connector assembly for securing metal tubing to a junction box or in an end to end connection having a connecting body with opposed open ends, and an electrical metal tubing secured to at least one open end. The open end includes a linear length sized to snugly receive the end of the metal tubing and a diverging linear length immediately adjacent the open end. A sealing gland having a complementary tapered outer surface with a radially outwardly extending flange and a split compression ring fitted onto the metal tubing so that when assembled, the sealing gland provides a fluid tight seal, and the split ring effects a mechanically tight, electrically grounded, connection between the connecting body and the metal conduit.
1. A pipe assembly comprising:
a body having a bore therein defining an inlet end and an outlet end, said inlet end having an inlet opening and said outlet end having an outlet opening,
said inlet end having a first linear length and a second linear length,
a metal conduit receivable in said inlet end,
said first linear length being of uniform shape and size to snugly receive an end portion of said metal conduit, and
said second linear length having an internal surface that diverges outwardly toward said inlet opening,
a plastic sealing gland sized to be fitted onto the end portion of said metal conduit,
said plastic sealing gland having an outer tapering surface that complements the internal surface of said second linear length,
a metallic split compression ring adapted to be loosely fitted onto the end portion of said metal conduit,
and a fastening nut fitted onto the end portion of said metal conduit for securing said metal conduit to said inlet end whereby said plastic sealing gland is urged into sealing relationship with said internal surface of the second linear length, and said metallic compression ring into compression onto said metal conduit,
said bore including an internal stop shoulder defining a stop to limit the distance said metal conduit is inserted into said inlet opening, and
an intermediate shoulder within said body longitudinally spaced from said stop shoulder to define said first linear length of said bore from said second linear length of said bore.
2. A pipe assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein said sealing gland includes:
a ring portion having a ring inlet opening and a ring outlet opening,
said ring portion having an outer peripheral surface that tapers radially outwardly toward said ring inlet opening,
and a radially outwardly extending flange circumscribing said ring inlet opening,
said radially outwardly extending flange having an outer diameter which is greater than the diameter of said inlet opening of said body, said radially outwardly extending flange disposed in abutting sealing relationship with the peripheral edge of said body defining said inlet opening of said body.
3. An electrical connector assembly comprising:
a connector body having an inlet end and an outlet end,
a bore extending through said inlet end and outlet end to define opposed inlet and outlet openings,
said inlet end being externally threaded,
said inlet end having an internal first linear length and a second linear length,
said first linear length having an internal surface,
an electrical metal conduit having an end portion,
said second linear length having an internal surface which diverges outwardly toward said inlet end opening, said inlet opening being the diverging end of said second linear length,
said bore including an internal stop shoulder defining a stop to limit the distance said metal conduit is inserted into said inlet opening, and
an intermediate shoulder within said body longitudinally spaced from said stop shoulder to define said first linear length of said bore from said second linear length,
a plastic sealing gland fitted onto the end portion of said conduit,
said plastic sealing gland having a tapered outer surface that complements the internal surface of said second linear length,
a metallic split compression ring circumscribing said end portion of said conduit,
said split compression ring having inwardly extending offset lips extending about the opposed periphery of said split compression ring,
and an internally threaded fastening nut disposed on said end portion of said conduit for securing said conduit to said inlet end whereby said sealing gland is urged in fluid tight relationship with said second linear length and said compression ring is compressed onto said conduit to positively secure said conduit to said connector body and electrically ground said conduit as said fastening nut is tightened,
said plastic sealing gland including a lateral outwardly extending flange circumscribing said sealing gland about one end thereof,
said laterally outwardly extending flange having an outer diameter that is greater than the diameter of said inlet opening so that said lateral outwardly extending flange abuts in sealing relationship the peripheral edge of said inlet opening.
4. An electrical connector assembly comprising:
a connector body having an inlet end and an outlet end,
a bore extending through said inlet end and outlet end to define opposed end openings,
said inlet end being externally threaded,
said inlet end having a first linear length and a second linear length,
said first linear length having an internal surface,
an electric metal conduit having an end portion,
said internal surface of said first linear length being sized and shaped to snugly receive said end portion of said conduit,
said internal surface including a stop shoulder to limit the distance said metal conduit is inserted in said first linear length,
said second linear length having an internal surface which diverges toward said inlet end opening,
an intermediate shoulder within said body longitudinally spaced from said stop shoulder to define said first linear length from said second linear length of said bore,
a plastic sealing gland fitted onto the end portion of said conduit,
said sealing gland having a tapered outer surface that complements the internal surface of said second linear length,
said sealing gland having a radially outwardly extending flange circumscribing one end of said sealing gland, said radially outwardly extending flange having a diameter greater than the diameter of said inlet opening so that said radially outwardly extending flange abuts in sealing relationship the peripheral edge of said inlet opening, said inlet opening being the diverging end of said second linear length,
a metallic split compression ring circumscribing said end portion of said conduit,
and an internally threaded fastening nut disposed on said end portion of said conduit for securing said conduit to said inlet end whereby said plastic sealing gland is urged in fluid tight relationship with said internal surface of said second linear length and the peripheral edge of said inlet opening, and said compression ring is compressed onto said conduit to positively secure said conduit to said connector body and electrically ground said conduit as said fastening nut is tightened,
said compression ring includes a transverse cut defining spaced apart opposed ends that are longitudinally extended and disposed in a common plane to define a split ring of 360°,
said compression ring includes opposed peripheral edges that are slightly bent to define radially and inwardly extending lips that extend about said ring to engage said conduit when in compression,
a resilient washer fitted onto the outlet end of the connector body adapted to be inserted through a knock out hole of a junction box, and
means for securing said outlet end to the junction box whereby said resilient washer is urged into sealing position about the outlet end.