CORD GRIP WITH LIQUID DRAIN

• US 20190326737A1
• Filed: 04/26/2019
• Published: 10/24/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 09/26/2017
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: CREE Incorporated (Wolfspeed, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: CREE Incorporated (Wolfspeed, Inc.)
• Inventors: Rana, Ashok K., Thornton, Gerry, Thomas, Bradley, Couch, William, Beck, Benjamin, Fisher, Scott
• Granted Patent: US 10,868,412 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• 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 connected to an electronics housing;

a bore in the conduit hub having a first end communicating with the electronics housing and a second end configured to be connected to a conduit;

a wire seal retaining electrical wiring 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 having an inlet in liquid communication with the conduit and an outlet communicating with the exterior of the electronics housing, wherein the channel is positioned internally of and extends through the conduit hub.

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.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the conduit hub is mounted to a connector on the electronics housing.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the wire seal is retained in the bore by a lock member.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the lock member is threadably engaged with screwthreads in the bore.

12. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the lock member holds the wire seal against a shoulder formed in the bore.

13. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the lock member is disposed to a first side of the channel inlet and an end of the conduit is disposed to a second side of the end of the conduit.

14. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the wire seal comprises a plate and the plate is secured to the conduit hub.

15. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein a shoulder is formed in the bore that defines a hole and the wire seal comprises a plate that is secured to the conduit hub and a sealing member that engages the hole.

16. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the plate is overmolded with the sealing member.

17. The apparatus of claim 15 further comprising electrical wiring extending through the wire seal wherein the plate and the electrical wiring are overmolded with the sealing member.

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

7. (canceled)

8. (canceled)

18. An apparatus, comprising:

a conduit hub configured to be connected to an electronics housing;

a bore in the conduit hub having a first end communicating with the electronics housing and a second end configured to be connected to a conduit;

a wire seal located in the hub forming a liquid-tight seal with the conduit hub;

electrical wiring overmolded bonded to the wire seal to create a liquid-tight seal between the electrical wiring and the wire seal;

a channel for transporting liquid from the conduit having an inlet in liquid communication with the conduit and an outlet communicating with the exterior of the electronics housing, wherein the channel is formed internally of and extends through the conduit hub.

19. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein the wire seal comprises a seal member located to one side of the channel.

20. The apparatus of claim 19 wherein the electronics housing is part of a LED lighting fixture.

22. An apparatus, comprising:

a conduit hub configured to be connected to an electronics housing;

a bore in the conduit hub having a first end communicating with the electronics housing and a second end configured to be connected to a conduit;

a channel for transporting liquid from the conduit having an inlet in liquid communication with the conduit and an outlet communicating with the exterior of the electronics housing, wherein the channel extends through the conduit hub;

a wire seal retaining electrical wiring located in the hub, the wire seal being positioned to a side of the channel opposite the conduit to form a liquid-tight seal with the bore.