Wiring duct end cap

• US 5,802,672 A
• Filed: 11/20/1996
• Issued: 09/08/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 11/20/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Panduit Corporation
• Original Assignee: Panduit Corporation
• Inventors: Rohder, Brian K.
• Primary Examiner(s): MAH, CHUCK Y
• Application Number:
  US08/752,102
• Time in Patent Office: 657 Days
• Field of Search: 16/95 R, 16/87 R, 16/87.4 R, 16/96 R, 16/96 D, 16/94 R, 16/94 D, 16/2.3, 16/2.4, 174/48, 174/49
• US Class Current: 16/95.00R
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/0418 Covers or lids; Their fastenings
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/0437 Channels

Abstract

Device for enclosing an end of a wiring duct raceway including an end panel, a covering section and an anti-rotation mechanism. The end panel is adapted to cover the end of the raceway. However, the covering section extends from a portion of the edge of the end panel and has a cross-section slightly larger than the cross-section of the raceway. In order to prevent disengagement from the raceway, the anti-rotation mechanism uses a latching mechanism, while depending from the covering section.

Claims

1. A device for enclosing an end of a wiring duct raceway comprising:

an end panel adapted to cover the end of the raceway;

a covering section extending normal to a portion of an edge of the end panel;

the covering section having a cross-section slightly larger than the raceway cross-section; and

anti-rotation means depending from the covering section for preventing disengagement of the device from the raceway.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein the anti-rotation means further comprises,

a center stiffening rib depending from the covering section;

and

a latching means for providing positive engagement with the raceway;

wherein the latching means is attached to the lowermost portion of the center stiffening rib.

3. The device of claim 2 wherein the latching means further comprises,

a horizontal flange;

wherein the horizontal flange has a latch at each distal end for providing positive engagement with the raceway.

4. The device of claim 3 wherein the center stiffening rib and the horizontal flange extend normal from the end panel.

5. The device of claim 1 wherein the end panel further comprises, at least one mounting flange extending normal to the end panel;

and

the at least one mounting flange has at least one positioning means for aligning the device when positioned at the end of the raceway.

6. The device of claim 5 wherein the at least one positioning means further comprises,

at least one aperture.

7. The device of claim 1 wherein the end panel further comprises, at least one mounting flange extending normal to the end panel;

and

the at least one mounting flange has at least one mounting means for securing the device and the raceway.

8. The device of claim 7 wherein the at least one mounting means further comprises,

at least one aperture;

and

at least one fastener.

9. The device of claim 1 wherein the covering section further comprises, at least one secondary latching means depending from the covering section for engagement with the raceway.

10. The device of claim 1 wherein the end panel further comprises,

at least one conduit breakout adapted for providing connection between the raceway and a conduit.

11. A device for enclosing an end of a wiring duct raceway comprising:

an end panel adapted to cover the end of the raceway;

a covering section extending normal to a portion of an edge of the end panel;

the covering section having a cross-section slightly larger than the raceway cross-section; and

a latching means depending from the covering section for providing positive engagement with the raceway.

12. The device of claim 11 wherein the latching means further comprises,

a center stiffening rib depending from the covering section;

a horizontal flange;

wherein the horizontal flange is attached to the lowermost portion of the center stiffening rib; and

wherein the horizontal flange has a latch at each end thereof for providing positive engagement with the raceway.

13. The device of claim 12 wherein the center stiffening rib and the horizontal flange extend normal from the end panel.

14. The device of claim 11 wherein the end panel further comprises,

at least one mounting flange extending normal to he end panel;

and

the at least one mounting flange has at least one positioning means for aligning the device when positioned at the end of the raceway.

15. The device of claim 14 wherein the at least one positioning means further comprises,

at least one aperture.

16. The device of claim 11 wherein the end panel further comprises,

at least one mounting flange extending normal to the end panel;

and

the at least one mounting flange has at least one mounting means for securing the device and the raceway.

17. The device of claim 16 wherein the at least one mounting means further comprises,

at least one aperture;

and

at least one fastener.

18. The device of claim 11 wherein the covering section further comprises, at least one secondary latching means depending from the covering section adapted for engagement with the raceway.

19. The device of claim 11 wherein the end panel further comprises, at least one conduit breakout adapted for providing connection between the raceway and a conduit.

20. A method of fitting a device for enclosing an end of a wiring duct raceway comprising the steps of:

abutting an end panel of the device to the end of the raceway;

aligning a covering section of the device, which extends normal to a portion of an edge of the end panel and has a cross-section slightly larger than the raceway cross-section, over the end of the raceway; and

snap-fitting an anti-rotation means of the device, which depends from the covering section, onto the raceway.

21. The method of claim 20 further comprising the step of:

snap-fitting a secondary latching means of the device, which depends from the covering section, onto the raceway.

22. The method of claim 20 further comprising the steps of:

positioning an at least one mounting flange, which extends normal to the end panel, within a mounting flange channel of the raceway; and

affixing the device and the raceway to a support surface with at least one fastener therethrough.

23. The method of claim 21 further comprising the steps of:

positioning an at least one mounting flange, which extends normal to the end panel, within a mounting flange channel of the raceway; and

affixing the device and the raceway to a support surface with at least one fastener therethrough.

24. The method of claim 20 further comprising the step of:

removing a conduit breakout in the end panel of the device.