Cord grip with liquid drain

• US 10,320,168 B2
• Filed: 09/26/2017
• Issued: 06/11/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 09/26/2017
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: IDEAL Industries Lighting, LLC (Ideal Industries Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: CREE Incorporated (Wolfspeed, Inc.)
• Inventors: Rana, Ashok K., Thornton, Gerry, Thomas, Bradley, Couch, William, Beck, Benjamin, Fisher, Scott
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Chau N
• Application Number:
  US15/715,707
• Publication Number:
  US 20190097403A1
• Time in Patent Office: 623 Days
• Field of Search: 174522, 174650, 2851392
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/0616 Joints for connecting tubing to casing
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/083 Inlets
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/088 Dustproof, splashproof, drip-proof, waterproof, or flameproof casings or inlets
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/20 Ceiling roses or other lighting sets

Abstract

A cord grip has a conduit hub configured to be connected to an electronics housing. A bore is formed in the conduit hub and has a first end communicating with the electronics housing and a second end configured to be connected to a conduit. A wire seal retains electrical wiring and is located in the hub forming a liquid-tight seal between the first end and the second end. A channel for transporting liquid from the conduit has an inlet communicating with the conduit and an outlet communicating with the exterior of the electronics housing. An overmolded bond may be formed between the wire seal and the electrical wiring.

Claims

1. An apparatus, comprising:

a conduit hub configured to be releasably connected to a connector of an electronics housing, the connector having a first internal bore that communicates an interior of the electronics housing with an exterior of the electronics housing;

the conduit hub comprising a second internal bore communicating with the first internal bore, the conduit hub comprising a first end connected to the connector and a second end configured to be connected to a conduit;

a wire seal retaining electrical wiring forming a liquid-tight seal between the connector and the conduit hub;

a channel formed at least partially between and defined by the connector and the conduit hub for transporting liquid from the conduit, the channel having an inlet in liquid communication with the conduit and an outlet communicating with the exterior of the electronics housing.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the electrical wiring extends through the wire seal.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein an overmolded bond is formed between the wire seal and the electrical wiring.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the electrical wiring comprises at least one electrical wire.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the at least one electrical wire comprises a plurality of electrical wires encased in sheathing.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the electronics housing is part of a LED lighting fixture.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the the wire seal is received in the connector.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein air in the electronics housing is subject to expansion and contraction.

9. An apparatus, comprising:

a conduit hub configured to be connected to a connector of an electronics housing defining a conduit through the conduit hub and the connector that communicates an interior of the electronics housing with an exterior of the electronics housing;

the conduit hub configured to be connected to a conduit;

a wire seal forming a liquid-tight seal with the conduit hub and the connector;

an overmolded bond joining electrical wiring to the wire seal to create a liquid-tight seal between the electrical wiring and the wire seal;

a channel formed at least partially between and defined by the connector and the conduit hub for transporting liquid from the conduit, the channel having an inlet in liquid communication with the conduit and an outlet communicating with the exterior of the electronics housing.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the wire seal comprises a seal member located to one side of the channel.

11. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the electronics housing is part of a LED lighting fixture.