Abstract: A fitting which couples two conduit members in a manner to permit relative longitudinal motion therebetween and which prevents the gases within the fitting from escaping at a temperature which might ignite an external ambient atmosphere. One form of the fitting includes a bushing affixed to an end of one of the conduit members and positioned and configured to mate with the interior of a body member affixed to an end of the other conduit member to permit sliding motion therebetween. The bushing has sufficient surface area in close proximity to the interior surface of the body member as to cause any gases passed between the bushing and body member to approach a temperature equilibrium with the body member.

Abstract: A threaded insert plug for at least temporarily closing an opening in an internally threaded member. The plug member comprises a right circular cylinder closed at the lower end thereof. The closing surface includes an upstanding central portion proportioned to permit the application of a wrench and may include a screwdriver slot on an upper surface. The interior of the cylinder includes critically positioned projections and/or depressions which permits use of a lever having an end positioned against the projection or depression and a mid-portion against at least part of the upstanding central portion to permit the production of a turning torque. The surface irregularities may be configured and positioned to permit engagement with a suitable wrench. The walls of the plug may have generally uniform thickness thereby providing an economical and minimum weight plug. The upper surface of the upstanding central portion rises no further than the plane including the upper limit of the plug member.

Abstract: The present invention provides a coupling member for joining two generally coaxial, tubular members such as an electrical conduit. The coupling member includes internal left hand threads at one end and internal right hand threads at the other end with an annular groove therebetween. One end of a first conduit is provided with two sets of axially spaced apart external left hand threads. The coupling member is rotated so that the left hand threads thereof matingly engage the first set of left hand threads on the conduit and then is temporarily locked by engagement of the second set of left hand threads. The first set of left hand threads on the conduit will then be in the annular groove defined between the left and right hand threads of the coupling member. A standard length of a second conduit having external right hand threads thereon may then be matingly engaged with the right hand threads of the coupling member.

Abstract: An elongated fitting, which forms a thread as it is screwed onto the end of a conduit, has an internally threaded tubular portion at one end which receives the conduit. A stem portion on the opposite end permits coupling of the fitting to external parts. An intermediate portion is provided for rotating the fitting relative to the conduit. A longitudinal slot axially extends along the wall of the tubular portion to permit visual inspection of the amount of conduit inserted in the fitting and for lowering the tightening torque required for forming the threads on the conduit.

Abstract: A coupling member for joining two generally coaxial tubular members, for example electrical conduits, fittings and the like, is disclosed. The coupling member includes an elongated sleeve having axially extending threads formed internally at one end thereof and an outwardly flared, deformable section at the end thereof opposite the threads. The deformable section has an inwardly directed lip for engaging an annular groove formed on the outside surface of one of the members that is to be coupled. The other member that is to be coupled is provided with external threads that are arranged to matingly engage the internal threads on the sleeve. Interface surfaces for temporarily securing the sleeve and the second one of the two members to be joined are provided so that the sleeve does not rotate while the first one of the two members is being engaged therewith.

Abstract: A ground connector for a jacketed, interlocked armored cable includes a body portion, a resilient grommet, a frictional washer and a compression nut. A longitudinally split metallic grounding ring is also provided. A first end of the grounding ring is seated in a bore formed interiorly of the body portion. The opposite second end of the grounding ring is provided with a plurality of fingers as well as generally U-shaped connecting sections for joining the fingers to the second end of the cylindrical wall of the grounding ring. The connecting sections and the fingers are both deflectable upon assembly of the connector. The fingers, which are initially at an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the connector, point in the same direction as the direction of cable assembly. The free ends of the fingers act like barbs to thereby minimize retraction of the cable.