Electrical fitting for non-metallic electrical cable
An electrical fitting to secure multiple non-metallic electrical cables has a body having a first end for insertion into an electrical panel box or to receive conduit, and a second end having an opening with apertures formed near a periphery thereof, the body having a hollow interior for passage of cables, and a cable securing device having a plate dimensioned to mount to the body and clamping devices, each having a pair of resilient clamp fingers to secure at least one cable, each finger having a terminating end adjacent the terminating end of the other finger, a pair of squeezable arms extending to facilitate cable insertion and removal, and a pair of anchoring fingers extending from the first surface of the plate, each anchoring finger having a protruding member to snap into one of the apertures so as to secure the cable securing device especially when the arms are squeezed.
Latest BRIDGEPORT FITTINGS, INC. Patents:
- Co-molded sealing ring for use in an electrical fitting, and a raintight compression connector and raintight compression coupler incorporating a co-molded sealing ring
- Electrical connector with removable spacer
- Slip electrical conduit coupler body
- Expansion coupler
- Slip electrical conduit coupler body
The present invention relates to electrical fittings for securing non-metallic (NM) sheath electrical conductor cables to an electrical panel box or to an electrical metallic tubing (EMT) or rigid conduit and specifically such a fitting for use with securing multiple non-metallic electrical cables to such devices.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThere are a number of prior art devices directed to securing two electrical cables to a panel box via a knockout hole or as a transition fitting for connecting two electrical cables to an EMT or rigid conduit. These devices, sometimes referred to as duplex electrical connectors or duplex electrical fittings, can provide for the connection of two electrical cables so as to allow the passage of electrical conductors within those cables into either a panel box or into an EMT or rigid conduit. Such fittings have typically been used with armored clad (AC) cables and metal clad (MC) cables. It has been realized that there is a need in certain situations for fittings that can accommodate more than two electrical cables.
Furthermore, although there are non-metallic (NM) electrical cable connectors for securing NM cable to electrical panel boxes and the like, such connectors have typically provided a single access region for securing one or more electrical cables (see, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,374,017 and 7,211,744). There is a need for an electrical fitting that provides easy insertion and removal of NM electrical cables and especially for an electrical fitting able to accommodate multiple NM cables.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONAn embodiment of the present invention is an electrical fitting to secure multiple non-metallic electrical (NM) cables, comprising a body having a first end having a bore formed therethrough either dimensioned for insertion into a knockout hole of an electrical panel box or the like or dimensioned to receive an electrical metallic tubing or rigid conduit, and a second end having an opening formed therein and with apertures formed near a periphery thereof, the body having a hollow interior for passage of non-metallic electrical cables therethrough, and a cable securing device having a plate dimensioned to mount to the body at the second end of the body, and a plurality of clamping devices integrally formed with the plate, each clamping device having a pair of clamp fingers extending from a first surface of the plate, each finger of the pair of clamp fingers having a terminating end adjacent the terminating end of the other clamp finger of said pair of clamp fingers, each pair of clamp fingers dimensioned to allow passage of at least one NM electrical cable between said terminating ends, the clamp fingers dimensioned for resilient movement relative to each other so as to grasp an NM electrical cable or cables passing between the terminating ends thereof, a pair of arms integrally formed at a second end of each clamp finger and extending beyond a second surface of the plate, the arms dimensioned for squeezing, and a pair of anchoring fingers integrally formed with the pair of clamp fingers and arms, said anchoring fingers extending from the first surface of the plate, each anchoring finger having a protruding member formed on an end of said anchoring finger, each protruding member dimensioned for receipt in one of the apertures formed in the body, wherein each protruding member is urged toward the body when the arms of the clamping device are squeezed together while the terminating ends of the clamp fingers are correspondingly moved away from each other, thereby facilitating insertion of a cable or cables between the terminating ends of the clamp fingers or release of a cable or cables secured by the terminating ends of the clamp fingers, while simultaneously securing the clamping device to the body during squeezing of the arms.
Another embodiment of the present invention is the electrical fitting as described above, wherein each clamp finger has at least one ridge formed thereon facing toward the other clamp finger of said pair of clamp fingers, said at least one ridge of each clamp finger to facilitate grasping of an electrical cable.
A further embodiment of the present invention is the electrical fitting as described above, wherein the cable securing device is fabricated from nylon.
A still further embodiment of the present invention is the electrical fitting as described above, wherein the nylon is nylon 6-6.
Another embodiment of the present invention is the electrical fitting as described above, wherein the nylon is nylon 6-12.
A further embodiment of the present invention is the electrical fitting as described above, wherein the first end of the body has a cylindrical shape with threads on an exterior of the first end, the first end dimensioned for receipt of a locking nut so as to secure the fitting to a panel box or the like after insertion through a knockout of the panel box or the like.
A further embodiment of the present invention is the electrical fitting as described above, wherein the first end of the body has a cylindrical shape with extending flexible tabs formed thereon for snap-in engagement to a panel box or the like when inserted into a knockout hole of the panel box or the like.
A still further embodiment of the present invention is the electrical fitting as described above, wherein the first end has a flange formed thereon in proximity to the tabs so as to facilitate said snap-in engagement.
Another embodiment of the present invention is the electrical fitting as described above, wherein the first end of the body is cylindrical in shape dimensioned for receipt of a metallic sleeve thereover and having at least one opening formed therein, the metallic sleeve providing additional structural rigidity to the first end of the body, the sleeve having a threaded hole formed therein alignable with the at least one opening formed in the first end of the body for passage of a fastener so as to secure an electrical metallic tubing or rigid conduit when placed within the bore formed in first end of the plastic body.
A further embodiment of the present invention is the electrical fitting as described above, wherein the body is formed from plastic.
A further embodiment of the present invention is the electrical fitting as described above, wherein the plastic is polyvinylchloride.
A still further embodiment of the present invention is the electrical fitting as described above, wherein the body is fabricated from die cast zinc or die cast aluminum.
Another embodiment of the present invention is the electrical fitting as described above, wherein the plurality of clamping devices equals three.
A further embodiment of the present invention is the electrical fitting as described above, wherein the plurality of clamping devices equals two.
Another embodiment of the present invention is a cable securing device comprising a plate dimensioned to mount to a body of an electrical fitting, and a plurality of clamping devices integrally formed with the plate, each clamping device having a pair of clamp fingers extending from a first surface of the plate, each finger of the pair of clamp fingers having a terminating end adjacent the terminating end of the other clamp finger of said pair of clamp fingers, each pair of clamp fingers dimensioned to allow passage of at least one non-metallic (NM) electrical cable between said terminating ends, the clamp fingers dimensioned for resilient movement relative to each other so as to grasp an NM electrical cable or cables passing between the terminating ends thereof, a pair of arms integrally formed at a second end of each clamp finger and extending beyond a second surface of the plate, the arms dimensioned for squeezing, and a pair of anchoring fingers integrally formed with the pair of clamp fingers and arms, said anchoring fingers extending from the first surface of the plate, each anchoring finger having a protruding member formed on an end of said anchoring finger, each protruding member dimensioned for receipt in an aperture formed in a body of an electrical fitting, wherein each protruding member is urged toward the body when the plate is mounted to the body and when the arms of the clamping device are squeezed together while the terminating ends of the clamp fingers are correspondingly moved away from each other, thereby facilitating insertion of a cable or cables between the terminating ends of the clamp fingers or release of a cable or cables secured by the terminating ends of the clamp fingers, while simultaneously securing the clamping device to the body during squeezing of the arms.
A further embodiment of the present invention is the electrical fitting as described above, wherein each clamp finger has at least one ridge formed thereon facing toward the other clamp finger of said pair of clamp fingers, said at least one ridge of each clamp finger to facilitate grasping of an electrical cable.
A still further embodiment of the present invention is the electrical fitting as described above, wherein the cable securing device is fabricated from nylon.
A further embodiment of the present invention is the electrical fitting as described above, wherein the nylon is nylon 6-6.
A still further embodiment of the present invention is the electrical fitting as described above, wherein the nylon is nylon 6-12.
Another embodiment of the present invention is the electrical fitting as described above, wherein the plurality of clamping devices equals three.
Another embodiment of the present invention is the electrical fitting as described above, wherein the plurality of clamping devices equals two.
For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the present invention, reference is made to the following detailed description taken in connection with the following drawings in which:
An embodiment of an electrical fitting 20 to secure multiple non-metallic (NM) cables 70 is shown in
The fitting has a body 22 with a hollow interior 23 and a cable securing device 24. The body has a first end 26 with a bore 27 formed therein forming part of the hollow interior 23. The first end may be cylindrical with threads 28 on its exterior for threaded attachment of a nut 30 so as to secure the body to an electrical panel box 36 through a knockout hole 38 formed in the panel box. This is best seen in
Body 22 may be molded from plastic, such as polyvinylchloride (PVC) or it can be fabricated from other materials, including die cast zinc or die cast aluminum, for example.
Each clamping device 52 has a pair of clamp fingers 56 each with a terminating end 57. The clamp fingers of each pair are able to resiliently move relative to each other. The terminating ends of each pair of clamp fingers are adjacent each other and allow one or more NM cables 70 to pass therebetween as seen in
Each clamping device 52 also includes a pair of anchoring fingers 69 which also extending from first surface 58 of plate 50. Each anchoring finger 69 has a projecting member 72 dimensioned to snap fit into an aperture 42 in body 22. Thus, the cable securing device is assembled into the body via the snap-in action of the projecting members snapping into apertures 42 as best seen in
The overall operation of this fitting is best seen in
Thus, the insertion and removal of the NM electrical cable relative to the fitting is shown in
The cable securing device can be made from various materials, including thermoplastics. The clamping devices are preferably fabricated from nylon (such as nylon 6-6, sometimes referred to as nylon 6,6) in order to have the strength and flexibility to grasp NM cables. Nylon 6-12 may also be used to fabricate the cable securing device. This material is less hygroscopic than nylon 6-6 and therefore maybe is less susceptible to molding processing issues (i.e., too much heat or too much moisture, etc.) which can cause brittleness in the molded cable securing device. Other thermoplastics having similar properties to nylon 6-6 or nylon 6-12 may also be used. The entire cable securing device can be fabricated from the same material, such as nylon 6-6.
While there have been shown and described and pointed out fundamental novel features of the invention as applied to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood that various omissions and substitutions and changes in the form and details of the devices and methods described may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, it is expressly intended that all combinations of those elements and/or method steps which perform substantially the same function in substantially the same way to achieve the same results are within the scope of the invention. Moreover, it should be recognized that structures and/or elements and/or method steps shown and/or described in connection with any disclosed form or embodiment of the invention may be incorporated in any other disclosed or described or suggested form or embodiment as a general matter of design choice. It is the intention, therefore, to be limited only as indicated by the scope of the claims appended hereto. Furthermore, in the claims means-plus-function clauses are intended to cover the structures described herein as performing the recited function and not only structural equivalents, but also equivalent structures. Thus although a nail and a screw may not be structural equivalents in that a nail employs a cylindrical surface to secure wooden parts together, whereas a screw employs a helical surface, in the environment of fastening wooden parts, a nail and a screw may be equivalent structures.
Claims
1. An electrical fitting to secure multiple non-metallic electrical (NM) cables, comprising:
- a body having a first end having a bore formed therethrough either dimensioned for insertion into a knockout hole of an electrical panel box or the like or dimensioned to receive an electrical metallic tubing or rigid conduit, and a second end having an opening formed therein and with apertures formed near a periphery thereof, the body having a hollow interior for passage of non-metallic electrical cables therethrough; and
- a cable securing device having: a plate dimensioned to mount to the body at the second end of the body, and a plurality of clamping devices integrally formed with the plate, each clamping device having a pair of clamp fingers extending from a first surface of the plate, each finger of the pair of clamp fingers having a terminating end adjacent the terminating end of the other clamp finger of said pair of clamp fingers, each pair of clamp fingers dimensioned to allow passage of at least one NM electrical cable between said terminating ends, the clamp fingers dimensioned for resilient movement relative to each other so as to grasp an NM electrical cable or cables passing between the terminating ends thereof, a pair of arms integrally formed at a second end of each clamp finger and extending beyond a second surface of the plate, the arms dimensioned for squeezing, and a pair of anchoring fingers integrally formed with the pair of clamp fingers and arms, said anchoring fingers extending from the first surface of the plate, each anchoring finger having a protruding member formed on an end of said anchoring finger, each protruding member dimensioned for receipt in one of the apertures formed in the body; wherein each protruding member is urged toward the body when the arms of the clamping device are squeezed together while the terminating ends of the clamp fingers are correspondingly moved away from each other, thereby facilitating insertion of a cable or cables between the terminating ends of the clamp fingers or release of a cable or cables secured by the terminating ends of the clamp fingers, while simultaneously securing the clamping device to the body during squeezing of the arms.
2. The electrical fitting according to claim 1, wherein each clamp finger has at least one ridge formed thereon facing toward the other clamp finger of said pair of clamp fingers, said at least one ridge of each clamp finger to facilitate grasping of an electrical cable.
3. The electrical fitting according to claim 2, wherein the cable securing device is fabricated from nylon.
4. The electrical fitting according to claim 3, wherein the nylon is nylon 6-6.
5. The electrical fitting according to claim 3, wherein the nylon is nylon 6-12.
6. The electrical fitting according to claim 1, wherein the first end of the body has a cylindrical shape with threads on an exterior of the first end, the first end dimensioned for receipt of a locking nut so as to secure the fitting to a panel box or the like after insertion through a knockout of the panel box or the like.
7. The electrical fitting according to claim 1, wherein the first end of the body has a cylindrical shape with extending flexible tabs formed thereon for snap-in engagement to a panel box or the like when inserted into a knockout hole of the panel box or the like.
8. The electrical fitting according to claim 7, wherein the first end has a flange formed thereon in proximity to the tabs so as to facilitate said snap-in engagement.
9. The electrical fitting according to claim 1, wherein the first end of the body is cylindrical in shape dimensioned for receipt of a metallic sleeve thereover and having at least one opening formed therein, the metallic sleeve providing additional structural rigidity to the first end of the body, the sleeve having a threaded hole formed therein alignable with the at least one opening formed in the first end of the body for passage of a fastener so as to secure an electrical metallic tubing or rigid conduit when placed within the bore formed in first end of the plastic body.
10. The electrical fitting according to claim 1, wherein the body is formed from plastic.
11. The electrical fitting according to claim 10, wherein the plastic is polyvinylchloride.
12. The electrical fitting according to claim 1, wherein the body is fabricated from die cast zinc or die cast aluminum.
13. The electrical fitting according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of clamping devices equals three.
14. The electrical fitting according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of clamping devices equals two.
15. A cable securing device comprising:
- a plate dimensioned to mount to a body of an electrical fitting, and
- a plurality of clamping devices integrally formed with the plate, each clamping device having
- a pair of clamp fingers extending from a first surface of the plate, each finger of the pair of clamp fingers having a terminating end adjacent the terminating end of the other clamp finger of said pair of clamp fingers, each pair of clamp fingers dimensioned to allow passage of at least one non-metallic (NM) electrical cable between said terminating ends, the clamp fingers dimensioned for resilient movement relative to each other so as to grasp an NM electrical cable or cables passing between the terminating ends thereof,
- a pair of arms integrally formed at a second end of each clamp finger and extending beyond a second surface of the plate, the arms dimensioned for squeezing, and
- a pair of anchoring fingers integrally formed with the pair of clamp fingers and arms, said anchoring fingers extending from the first surface of the plate, each anchoring finger having a protruding member formed on an end of said anchoring finger, each protruding member dimensioned for receipt in an aperture formed in a body of an electrical fitting;
- wherein each protruding member is urged toward the body when the plate is mounted to the body and when the arms of the clamping device are squeezed together while the terminating ends of the clamp fingers are correspondingly moved away from each other, thereby facilitating insertion of a cable or cables between the terminating ends of the clamp fingers or release of a cable or cables secured by the terminating ends of the clamp fingers, while simultaneously securing the clamping device to the body during squeezing of the arms.
16. The electrical fitting according to claim 15, wherein each clamp finger has at least one ridge formed thereon facing toward the other clamp finger of said pair of clamp fingers, said at least one ridge of each clamp finger to facilitate grasping of an electrical cable.
17. The electrical fitting according to claim 16, wherein the cable securing device is fabricated from nylon.
18. The electrical fitting according to claim 17, wherein the nylon is nylon 6-6.
19. The electrical fitting according to claim 17, wherein the nylon is nylon 6-12.
20. The electrical fitting according to claim 15, wherein the plurality of clamping devices equals three.
21. The electrical fitting according to claim 15, wherein the plurality of clamping devices equals two.
22. A cable securing device comprising:
- a plate,
- a pair of clamp fingers extending from a first surface of the plate, each finger of the pair of clamp fingers having a terminating end adjacent the terminating end of the other clamp finger of said pair of clamp fingers, each pair of clamp fingers dimensioned to allow passage of at least one non-metallic (NM) electrical cable between said terminating ends, the clamp fingers dimensioned for resilient movement relative to each other so as to grasp an NM electrical cable or cables passing between the terminating ends thereof, and
- a pair of arms integrally formed at a second end of each clamp finger and extending beyond a second surface of the plate, the arms dimensioned for squeezing toward each other so that upon squeezing of the arms, the pair of clamp fingers move away from each other so that the terminating ends of the clamp fingers move away from each other.
23. The cable securing device according to claim 22, wherein each clamp finger has at least one ridge formed thereon facing toward the other clamp finger of said pair of clamp fingers, said at least one ridge of each clamp finger to facilitate grasping of an electrical cable.
24. The cable securing device according to claim 23, wherein the cable securing device is fabricated from nylon.
25. The cable securing device according to claim 24, wherein the nylon is nylon 6-6.
26. The cable securing device according to claim 24, wherein the nylon is nylon 6-12.
1736888 | November 1929 | Selah |
1793882 | February 1931 | Yanchenko |
1852381 | April 1932 | Teas |
2195933 | April 1940 | Marlborough |
2639927 | May 1953 | Billeter |
2962542 | November 1960 | Witt |
3306638 | February 1967 | Rubin |
4169572 | October 2, 1979 | Simon |
4350839 | September 21, 1982 | Lass |
4640980 | February 3, 1987 | Batt |
4723054 | February 2, 1988 | Billet |
4919370 | April 24, 1990 | Martin |
4983784 | January 8, 1991 | Whitlock |
5118057 | June 2, 1992 | Martin |
5374017 | December 20, 1994 | Martin et al. |
5799984 | September 1, 1998 | Reynolds, Jr. |
5912431 | June 15, 1999 | Sheehan |
6034326 | March 7, 2000 | Jorgensen |
6160216 | December 12, 2000 | McMahon |
6194661 | February 27, 2001 | Gretz |
6352439 | March 5, 2002 | Stark et al. |
6355884 | March 12, 2002 | Gretz |
6521831 | February 18, 2003 | Gretz |
6916988 | July 12, 2005 | Auray et al. |
7005581 | February 28, 2006 | Burnette |
7057107 | June 6, 2006 | Auray et al. |
7064272 | June 20, 2006 | Auray et al. |
7075007 | July 11, 2006 | Auray |
7078623 | July 18, 2006 | Sheehan |
7151223 | December 19, 2006 | Auray et al. |
7154042 | December 26, 2006 | Auray et al. |
7161095 | January 9, 2007 | Gretz |
7205489 | April 17, 2007 | Auray et al. |
7211744 | May 1, 2007 | Jorgensen |
7304251 | December 4, 2007 | Gretz |
7358448 | April 15, 2008 | Auray et al. |
7402752 | July 22, 2008 | Kiely |
7488905 | February 10, 2009 | Kiely et al. |
7615714 | November 10, 2009 | Pyron et al. |
7723623 | May 25, 2010 | Kiely |
7820922 | October 26, 2010 | Auray et al. |
7824213 | November 2, 2010 | Korcz |
7952034 | May 31, 2011 | Kiely et al. |
8119933 | February 21, 2012 | Auray |
8124891 | February 28, 2012 | Gretz |
8242369 | August 14, 2012 | Kiely |
8253043 | August 28, 2012 | Kiely |
8487196 | July 16, 2013 | Baldwon et al. |
8563876 | October 22, 2013 | Gretz |
8857039 | October 14, 2014 | Sathyanarayana et al. |
20040057187 | March 25, 2004 | Kuboshima |
20060005988 | January 12, 2006 | Jorgensen |
20080277160 | November 13, 2008 | Auray |
20090130903 | May 21, 2009 | Tsukashima |
20100084854 | April 8, 2010 | Sathyanarayana et al. |
20100163304 | July 1, 2010 | Auray |
20100261365 | October 14, 2010 | Sakakura |
20110290550 | December 1, 2011 | Kiely |
20130157491 | June 20, 2013 | Chavan et al. |
20140262486 | September 18, 2014 | Korcz |
20150280411 | October 1, 2015 | Plathe |
20150357806 | December 10, 2015 | Korcz |
20160064118 | March 3, 2016 | Wakabayashi |
2002219381 | September 2002 | AU |
203241572 | October 2013 | CN |
3605063 | October 1987 | DE |
- Definition of “nylon” from New World Encyclopedia.
- PVC Non-Metallic (NM) Cable Connector; printed from Home/Electrical Fittings/Cable & Cord Connectors/PVC Non-Metallic (NM) Cable Connector; product listing (prior to Apr. 7, 2015).
- New Products: Duplex Connector, Cable Pulling Grips & More; Whipper Snap design (Bridgeport Fittings); Electrical Construction and Maintenance; Jun. 22, 2012.
- Wire Connector Set; http://www.seedstudio.com/depot/; product page (prior to Apr. 7, 2015).
Type: Grant
Filed: Nov 20, 2017
Date of Patent: Sep 25, 2018
Assignee: BRIDGEPORT FITTINGS, INC. (Stratford, CT)
Inventor: Lawrence J. Smith (Stamford, CT)
Primary Examiner: Beverly M Flanagan
Application Number: 15/817,946
International Classification: H02G 3/04 (20060101); H02G 15/18 (20060101); H02G 3/08 (20060101); H02G 3/06 (20060101);