Joint fitting

• US 6,447,028 B1
• Filed: 08/18/2000
• Issued: 09/10/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 08/18/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: ASCO Controls LP (Emerson Electric Company)
• Original Assignee: ASCO Controls LP (Emerson Electric Company)
• Inventors: LaMarca, Drew P., Barile, Gennaro A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Swann, J. J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Lugo, Carlos
• Application Number:
  US09/641,360
• Time in Patent Office: 753 Days
• Field of Search: 285/404, 285/403, 285/399, 285/335, 285/90, 285/82, 285/83, 285/123.13, 285/918
• US Class Current: 285/404
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 25/08 in the form of screws, nails or the like
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 37/088 by means of a split elastic ring
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 37/0885 with access to the split elastic ring from a radial or tangential opening in the coupling
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 37/1205 using hooks hinged about an axis placed behind a flange and which act behind the other flange
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/0616 Joints for connecting tubing to casing
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 9/06 in underground tubes or conduits; Tubes or conduits therefor
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 285/918 O-ring

Abstract

A fitting for connecting two components is described. The fitting may be explosion proof for use in hazardous environments. The fitting may swivel allowing fast and easy connection to fixed components, thus minimizing the time required for installation and periodic maintenance, while maintaining the integrity of the explosion proof fitting. In this way, components—such as electrical conduits containing conductors or wires—can be installed and maintained without the use of damming material. Also described is a method of installing an explosion proof fitting for use in hazardous environments.

Claims

1. A fitting for connecting a first component to a second component, the fitting comprising:

a bushing having a threaded end for threadedly engaging the first component, and a smooth male end having an outer diameter;

an adapter having a threaded end for threadedly engaging the second component, and a female collar end having a collar, the adapter having an inside diameter, the adapter receiving the smooth male end of the bushing;

a locking mechanism to connect the adapter to the bushing when the smooth male end of the bushing is inserted into the adapter,

the locking mechanism having a groove being formed along an outer perimeter of the bushing and a screw having a tip, the screw being radially inserted through the collar of the adapter, the tip of the screw mating with the groove of the bushing to allow the adapter to rotate about the bushing; and

a pin dowel, the pin dowel being inserted into the collar perpendicular to an axis of the screw, the pin dowel preventing the tip of the screw from becoming unmated with the groove, the outer diameter of the bushing being in close communication with the inner diameter of the adapter to define a flame path to produce an explosion proof fitting.

2. The fitting of claim 1 in which the tip of the screw is screwed into to the groove to rigidly attach the adapter to the bushing.

3. The fitting of claim 1 in which the locking mechanism further comprises a C-clamp being connected to the collar end of the adapter and being clamped around the bushing to axially affix the adapter to the bushing.

4. The fitting of claim 1 in which the locking mechanism further comprises a gasket, the gasket being inserted into the groove being formed along an outer perimeter of the bushing.

5. The fitting of claim 1 further comprising a gasket to provide a water-tight fitting, the gasket being inserted into a slot along an outer perimeter of the bushing.

6. The fitting of claim 5 in which the gasket is an O-ring.

7. The fitting of claim 1 in which the flame path is 0.6″

along an axial length of the fitting.

8. The fitting of claim 1 in which the bushing further comprises a stop to abut the collar of the adapter when the smooth male end of the bushing is inserted into the adapter.

9. The fitting of claim 8 in which the stop further comprises a hexagonal perimeter to allow a wrench to tighten the fitting on the first component.

10. The fitting of claim 1 in which the threaded end of the adapter further comprises a chamfer.

11. The fitting of claim 1 in which the threaded end of the bushing further comprises a chamfer.

12. The fitting of claim 1 in which the collar further comprises a wrench land to allow a tool to tighten the fitting on the second component.

13. The fitting of claim 1 in which the collar further comprises an annular access to place an inside diameter of the collar in fluid communication with an outside diameter of the collar to insert damming material into the annular access to further seal the fitting.

14. A fitting for connecting a first component to a second component, the fitting comprising:

a bushing having a threaded end for threadedly engaging the first component, and a smooth male end having an outer diameter;

an adapter having a threaded end for threadedly engaging the second component, and a female collar end having a collar, the adapter having an inside diameter, the adapter receiving the smooth male end of the bushing; and

a locking mechanism to connect the adapter to the bushing when the smooth male end of the bushing is inserted into the adapter,

the locking mechanism having a clip, the clip being connected to the collar of the adapter to connect the adapter to a stop on the bushing,

the outer diameter of the bushing being in close communication with the inner diameter of the adapter to define a flame path to produce an explosion proof fitting.

15. The fitting of claim 14 further comprising a gasket to provide a water-tight fitting, the gasket being inserted into a slot along an outer perimeter of the bushing.

16. The fitting of claim 15 in which the gasket is an O-ring.

17. The fitting of claim 14 in which the flame path is 0.6″

along an axial length of the fitting.

18. The fitting of claim 14 in which the bushing further comprises a stop to abut the collar of the adapter when the smooth male end of the bushing is inserted into the adapter.

19. The fitting of claim 18 in which the stop further comprises a hexagonal perimeter to allow a wrench to tighten the fitting on the first component.

20. The fitting of claim 14 in which the threaded end of the adapter further comprises a chamfer.

21. The fitting of claim 14 in which the threaded end of the bushing further comprises a chamfer.

22. The fitting of claim 14 in which the collar further comprises a wrench land to allow a tool to tighten the fitting on the second component.

23. The fitting of claim 14 in which the collar further comprises an annular access to place an inside diameter of the collar in fluid communication with an outside diameter of the collar to insert damming material into the annular access to further seal the fitting.

24. A fitting for connecting a first component to a second component, the fitting comprising:

a bushing having a threaded end for threadedly engaging the first component, and a smooth male end having an outer diameter;

an adapter having a threaded end for threadedly engaging the second component, and a female collar end having a collar, the adapter having an inside diameter, the adapter receiving the smooth male end of the bushing; and

a locking mechanism to connect the adapter to the bushing when the smooth male end of the bushing is inserted into the adapter,

the locking mechanism having a C-clamp, the C-clamp being inserted into a gap formed by an internal groove on an inner diameter of the collar mating with a groove formed along an outer perimeter of the bushing,

the outer diameter of the bushing being in close communication with the inner diameter of the adapter to define a flame path to produce an explosion proof fitting.

25. The fitting of claim 24 further comprising a gasket to provide a water-tight fitting, the gasket being inserted into a slot along an outer perimeter of the bushing.

26. The fitting of claim 25 in which the gasket is an O-ring.

27. The fitting of claim 24 in which the flame path is 0.6″

along an axial length of the fitting.

28. The fitting of claim 24 in which the bushing further comprises a stop to abut the collar of the adapter when the smooth male end of the bushing is inserted into the adapter.

29. The fitting of claim 28 in which the stop further comprises a hexagonal perimeter to allow a wrench to tighten the fitting on the first component.

30. The fitting of claim 24 in which the threaded end of the adapter further comprises a chamfer.

31. The fitting of claim 24 in which the threaded end of the bushing further comprises a chamfer.

32. The fitting of claim 24 in which the collar further comprises a wrench land to allow a tool to tighten the fitting on the second component.

33. The fitting of claim 24 in which the collar further comprises an annular access to place an inside diameter of the collar in fluid communication with an outside diameter of the collar to insert damming material into the annular access to further seal the fitting.

34. A fitting for connecting a first component to a second component, the fitting comprising:

a bushing having a threaded end for threadedly engaging the first component, and a smooth male end having an outer diameter;

an adapter having a threaded end for threadedly engaging the second component, and a female collar end having a collar, the adapter having an inside diameter, the adapter receiving the smooth male end of the bushing; and

a locking mechanism to connect the adapter to the bushing when the smooth male end of the bushing is inserted into the adapter,

the locking mechanism having a metal ring, the metal ring being attached to a perimeter of a stop on the bushing, the collar of the adapter having a groove formed along an inner perimeter to connect to the metal ring,

the outer diameter of the bushing being in close communication with the inner diameter of the adapter to define a flame path to produce an explosion proof fitting.

35. The fitting of claim 34 further comprising a gasket to provide a water-tight fitting, the gasket being inserted into a slot along an outer perimeter of the bushing.

36. The fitting of claim 35 in which the gasket is an O-ring.

37. The fitting of claim 34 in which the flame path is 0.6″

along an axial length of the fitting.

38. The fitting of claim 34 in which the bushing further comprises a stop to abut the collar of the adapter when the smooth male end of the bushing is inserted into the adapter.

39. The fitting of claim 38 in which the stop further comprises a hexagonal perimeter to allow a wrench to tighten the fitting on the first component.

40. The fitting of claim 34 in which the threaded end of the adapter further comprises a chamfer.

41. The fitting of claim 34 in which the threaded end of the bushing further comprises a chamfer.

42. The fitting of claim 34 in which the collar further comprises a wrench land to allow a tool to tighten the fitting on the second component.

43. The fitting of claim 34 in which the collar further comprises an annular access to place an inside diameter of the collar in fluid communication with an outside diameter of the collar to insert damming material into the annular access to further seal the fitting.

44. A method of connecting a first component to a second component, the method comprising:

providing a fitting for connecting a first component to a second component, the fitting having

a bushing having a threaded end for threadedly engaging the first component, and a smooth male end having an outer diameter,

an adapter having a threaded end for threadedly engaging the second component, and a female collar end having a collar, the adapter having an inside diameter, the adapter receiving the smooth male end of the bushing,

a locking mechanism to connect the adapter to the bushing when the smooth male end of the bushing is inserted into the adapter,

the locking mechanism having a groove being formed along an outer perimeter of the bushing and a screw having a tip, the screw being radially inserted through the collar of the adapter, the tip of the screw mating with the groove of the bushing to allow the adapter to rotate about the bushing, and

a pin dowel, the pin dowel being inserted into the collar perpendicular to an axis of the screw, the pin dowel preventing the tip of the screw from becoming unmated with the groove,

the outer diameter of the bushing being in close communication with the inner diameter of the adapter to define a flame path to produce an explosion proof fitting;

rotating the bushing to threadedly engage the fitting to the first component; and

rotating the adapter to threadedly engage the fitting to the second component.

45. The method of claim 44 further comprising:

inserting the screw radially through the collar of the adapter; and

making the tip of the screw with the groove of the bushing to allow the adapter to rotate about the bushing.

46. An explosion proof fitting for connecting a first electrical conduit to a second electrical conduit, the fitting comprising:

a bushing having a threaded end for threadedly engaging the first electrical conduit, and a smooth male end having an outer diameter;

an adapter having a threaded end for threadedly engaging the second electrical conduit, and a female collar end, the adapter having an inside diameter, the adapter receiving the smooth male end of the bushing;

a locking mechanism to connect the adapter to the bushing when the smooth male end of the bushing is inserted into the adapter, the locking mechanism having a groove being formed along an outer perimeter of the bushing and a screw having a tip, the screw being radially inserted through the collar of the adapter, the tip of the screw mating with the groove of the bushing to allow the adapter to rotate about the bushing, the outer diameter of the bushing being in close communication with the inner diameter of the adapter to define a flame path to produce an explosion proof fitting, the flame path having a length 0.6″

along an axial length of the fitting, the bushing having a stop to abut the collar of the adapter when the smooth male end of the bushing is inserted into the adapter, the stop having a hexagonal perimeter to allow a wrench to tighten the fitting on the first component;

a pin dowel, the pin dowel being inserted into the collar perpendicular to an axis of the screw, the pin dowel preventing the tip of the screw from becoming unmated with the groove; and

an O-ring to provide a water-tight fitting, the O-ring being inserted into a slot along an outer perimeter of the bushing,

the threaded end of the adapter having a first chamfer, the threaded end of the bushing having a second chamfer, the collar having a wrench land to allow a tool to tighten the fitting on the second component, the collar having an annular access to place an inside diameter of the collar in fluid communication with an outside diameter of the collar to insert damming material into the annular access to further seal the fitting.