Offset coupling for electrical conduit
First Claim
1. A coupling for connecting between an electrical conduit and an electrical device for enclosing electrical wires passing therebetween, said conduit and device being laterally offset as well as spaced apart from each other, said coupling comprising:
- (a) at least first, second, and third hollow tubular members extending along first, second, and third axes respectively and joined end to end by at least a pair of joint means to form a unitary structure having relatively smooth interior wall forming a substantially unobstructed passageway suitable for accommodating passage of electrical wires therethrough, there being one joint means between said first and second tubular members and another joint means between said second and third tubular members, said joint means being angularly adjustable in any plane aligned with said second axis to permit alignment of said first, second, and third axes not only in coalignment with each other, but also said first and third axes displaced one from the other by an offset distance corresponding to said lateral offset;
(b) means for coupling free ends of said first and third tubular members to said conduit and said device respectively to form said passageway therebetween for enclosing said electrical wires therein; and
(c) means associated with each joint means for securing each said joint means in a fixed angular orientation corresponding to said offset.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A coupling is provided for connecting between an electrical conduit and an electrical device for enclosing electrical wires passing therebetween, when the conduit and the device are laterally offset as well as spaced apart from each other. The coupling comprises at least first, second, and third hollow tubular members extending along first, second, and third axes respectively and joined end to end by at least a pair of ball and socket joints to form a unitary structure having relatively smooth interior walls forming a passageway for accommodating passage of electrical wires therethrough.
The joints are angularly adjustable in any plane aligned with said second axis to permit alignment of said first, second, and third axes not only in coalignment with each other, but also said first and third axes displaced one from the other by an offset distance corresponding to said lateral offset.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A coupling for connecting between an electrical conduit and an electrical device for enclosing electrical wires passing therebetween, said conduit and device being laterally offset as well as spaced apart from each other, said coupling comprising:
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(a) at least first, second, and third hollow tubular members extending along first, second, and third axes respectively and joined end to end by at least a pair of joint means to form a unitary structure having relatively smooth interior wall forming a substantially unobstructed passageway suitable for accommodating passage of electrical wires therethrough, there being one joint means between said first and second tubular members and another joint means between said second and third tubular members, said joint means being angularly adjustable in any plane aligned with said second axis to permit alignment of said first, second, and third axes not only in coalignment with each other, but also said first and third axes displaced one from the other by an offset distance corresponding to said lateral offset; (b) means for coupling free ends of said first and third tubular members to said conduit and said device respectively to form said passageway therebetween for enclosing said electrical wires therein; and (c) means associated with each joint means for securing each said joint means in a fixed angular orientation corresponding to said offset. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. An angularly adjustable electrical conduit member for enclosing cables passing from a conduit terminus to a receiving port associated with an electrical means, wherein said port may be displaced in a direction transverse to said conduit, said member comprising:
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(a) three lengths of relatively rigid tubular piping joined end to end, one such length being a center length joined in between the two remaining lengths, each length having cores formed lengthwise therein with cooperating substantially unobstructed passageways suitable for admitting said cables therethrough; (b) two ball and socket joint combinations for joining said lengths together, one such combination being associated with each opposing end of said center length, the opposing ends of said center length each being ball-shaped and nested at both ends within correspondingly shaped sockets, one such socket being formed in an end of each of the remaining lengths, for universal movement of each said ball-shaped end within tis corresponding socket to provide an adjustable angular relationship between said center length and each remaining length, each remaining length also having means formed in the end opposite said socket for mating with said conduit and at a corresponding end of said other remaining member with said port; and (c) means mounted in each said socket for maintaining said adjustable angular relationship between said center length and both said remaining lengths, whereby said tubular lengths can be angularly adjusted with respect to each other to form a relatively rigid connection appropriately shaped to match a transverse displacement between said conduit terminus and said port. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method of connecting an electrical conduit to an electrical box for enclosing electrical wires passing therebetween, said conduit being separated from said box in at least first and second directions, said directions being mutually perpendicular, said method comprising the steps of:
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(a) connecting one of two opposing terminal ends of a three leg hollow coupling forming a substantially unobstructed passageway therethrough to either said conduit or said box, such that said passageway is in communication with either said conduit or box to which said terminal end is connected, each said leg being elongated, said three legs being joined end to end by a pair of hollow ball and socket joints, there being one leg in the middle between the two end legs forming said opposing terminal ends; (b) rotatably adjusting each said ball and socket joint until the other one of said opposing terminal ends is aligned with either the remaining conduit or box in both said first and second directions; (c) connecting said other one of said opposing terminal ends to said remaining conduit or box; and (d) lockingly maintaining each said ball and socket joint in the corresponding rotatably adjusted position;
whereby a relatively rigid substantially unobstructed passageway is provided between said conduit and said box for conveying said electrical wires therebetween. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification