Conduit body with low friction inner surface layer

• US 20080179877A1
• Filed: 12/27/2007
• Published: 07/31/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 01/31/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Thomas & Betts International LLC (ABB Limited)
• Original Assignee: Thomas & Betts International Incorporated (ABB Limited)
• Inventors: Pyron, Roger
• Granted Patent: US 7,954,858 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 285/94
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 1/08 through tubing or conduit, e.g. rod or draw wire for pushing or pulling inserting electrical cables into tubes using wallbores E21B17/206; for optical cables G02B6/4401
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/0406 Details thereof installation or suspension of conduit channels and other supports H02G3/263
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/081 Bases, casings or covers

Abstract

A conduit body assembly includes a conduit body having a layer of lubrication material thereon to aid in pulling wires therethrough. The conduit body includes an elongate side wall, an open upper end and a conduit body interior. At least one hub is in communication with said body interior for passage of wires therethrough. A layer of lubrication material having a low coefficient of friction is adhered to at least on portion of the surface of the body interior.

Claims

1. A conduit-body assembly, comprising:

a conduit body including an elongate side wall having an open upper end and a closed lower end defining a conduit body interior;

at least one hub extending from said body and in communication with said body interior, said hub defining an access port configured for passage of wire therethrough; and

a layer of a lubrication material having a low coefficient of friction adhered to at least a portion of a surface of said body interior.

2. A conduit body assembly according to claim 1, wherein said lubrication material is selected from the group consisting of silicone, graphite, nylon, polyethylene terephthalate, oils, polytetrafluoroethylene, and combinations thereof.

3. A conduit body assembly according to claim 1, wherein said lubrication material is applied uniformly to said body interior.

4. A conduit body assembly according to claim 1, wherein said lubrication material is applied to selected locations on said body interior.

5. A conduit body assembly according to claim 1, wherein said lubrication material is applied to said hubs.

6. A conduit body assembly according to claim 1, wherein said lubrication material is adhered by curing.

12. A method of claim 11, wherein said adhering step includes adhering said layer to said at least one hub.

7. A method of manufacturing a low-friction conduit body assembly comprising the steps of:

providing a conduit body having an elongate side wall, an open upper end, a closed lower wall and a conduit body interior; and

applying a layer of lubrication material having a low coefficient of friction to at least a portion of a surface of said body interior.

8. A method of claim 7, wherein said applying step includes adhering said layer to said surface of said body interior.

9. A method of claim 8, wherein said adhering step includes adhering said layer uniformly to said surface of said body interior.

10. A method of claim 8, wherein said adhering step includes adhering said layer to selected locations of said body interior.

11. A method of claim 8, wherein said providing step includes providing at least one hub in communication with said body interior.