Large capacity fire rated poke through fitting

• US 6,495,753 B1
• Filed: 11/01/2000
• Issued: 12/17/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 11/01/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Hubbell, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Hubbell, Inc.
• Inventors: Mortun, Sorin, Goodsell, John P., Bonilla, Nelson, DeBartolo, Joseph V. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Reichard, Dean A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): PATEL, DHIRUBHAI R
• Application Number:
  US09/702,822
• Time in Patent Office: 776 Days
• Field of Search: 174/48, 174/53, 174/49, 174/50, 174/51, 220/3.3, 220/3.4, 220/3.5, 522/205, 522/207, 522/208, 439/535, 439/536
• US Class Current: 174/483
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/22 Installations of cables or lines through walls, floors or ceilings, e.g. into buildings

Abstract

A fire rated poke-through floor fitting for extending through an aperture in a floor having a conduit with a first surface and a second surface and at least one passageway extending from the first surface to the second surface. Electrical wire passes from a side door of the floor, through a conduit, to a second side of the floor. Intumescent material is located adjacent the at least passageway an expands inwardly through the at least one passageway when it is exposed to a predetermined amount of heat, resisting transfer of heat, smoke, and flame from the second side of the floor of the first side of the floor.

Claims

1. A fitting for extending through an aperture in a floor, comprising:

a conduit having a first surface and a second surface, at least one passageway extending from said first surface to said second surface substantially transverse to said conduit;

at least one electrical wire adapted to pass through said conduit; and

intumescent material located adjacent the inside of said at least one passageway, said intumescent material expanding inwardly through said at least one passageway when exposed to a predetermined amount of heat.

2. A fitting according to claim 1, further comprising

a flange having at least one knock out portion therein rigidly coupled to and substantially aligned with said conduit.

3. A fitting according to claim 1, further comprising

a disc formed of intumescent material rigidly coupled to said conduit and having at least one knock out therein.

4. A fitting according to claim 1, wherein

said intumescent material is formed as a hollow cylinder substantially surrounding said conduit and extending along an axial length of said conduit.

5. A fitting according to claim 4, wherein

said axial length of said conduit extends at least along a portion of said at least one passageway.

6. A fitting according to claim 1, further comprising

an outer wall located adjacent said intumescent material.

7. A fitting according to claim 6, wherein

said outer wall is a tube surrounding said intumescent material.

8. A fitting according to claim 1, wherein

said aperture in the floor has at least a three inch diameter.

9. A fitting according to claim 1, wherein

said conduit has a low profile.

10. A fitting according to claim 9, wherein

said conduit does not extend more than 0.53 inches above the floor.

11. A fitting according to claim 1, wherein

said at least one electrical wire comprises at least 36 telecommunication wires.

12. A fitting according to claim 1, wherein

said at least one passageway comprises at least 24 passageways.

13. A fitting according to claim 12, wherein

said intumescent material is formed as a hollow cylinder substantially surrounding said conduit and extends along an axial length of said conduit that includes substantially all of said at least 24 passageways.

14. A fitting according to claim 1, wherein

said conduit is coupled to a member that extends above the floor and has an aperture therethrough.

15. A fitting according to claim 1, wherein

said conduit includes an upper barrier and a lower barrier to limit movement of said intumescent material axially along said conduit.

16. A poke through fitting extending from a first side of a floor through an opening in the floor to a second side of the floor, comprising:

a tube having a first surface and a second surface and having a plurality of transverse apertures extending from said first surface to said second surface;

a plurality of electrical wires adapted to extend from said first side of said floor through said tube to said second side of said floor;

a collar surrounding at least a part of said tube and having an interior surface; and

a sleeve of intumescent material disposed between said first surface of said tube and said interior surface of said collar, said intumescent material extending radially inwardly through said plurality of apertures when exposed to a predetermined amount of heat.

17. A poke through fitting according to claim 16, wherein

said sleeve of intumescent material extends along a length of said tube, said length including substantially all of said plurality of apertures.

18. A poke through fitting according to claim 16, wherein

said opening in the floor has at least a three inch diameter.

19. A poke through fitting according to claim 16, wherein

said conduit has a low profile.

20. A fitting according to claim 16, wherein

said conduit does not extend more than 0.53 inches above the floor.

21. A fitting according to claim 16, wherein

said plurality of electrical wires comprises at least 36 telecommunication wires.

22. A fitting according to claim 16, wherein

said plurality of apertures comprises at least 24 apertures.

23. A fitting according to claim 22, wherein

said intumescent surrounds said tube and extends along an axial length of said tube that includes substantially all of said at least 24 apertures.

24. A fitting according to claim 16, wherein

said tube is coupled to a member that extends above the floor and has a passageway therethrough.

25. A fitting according to claim 16, wherein

said conduit includes an upper barrier and a lower barrier to limit movement of said intumescent material axially along said conduit.

26. A method for sealing an opening in a floor against smoke, heat and flame passing therethrough, comprising the steps of

forming a passageway in the opening extending from a first side to a second side of the floor,

forming an aperture communicating with the passageway and extending in a direction substantially transverse to the passageway,

positioning intumescent material adjacent the inside of the passageway, and

expanding the intumescent material towards the center of the passageway through the aperture when the intumescent material is exposed to a predetermined amount of heat, while preventing the intumescent material from expanding away from the center of the passageway.

27. A method for sealing according to claim 26, wherein

said expanding step includes the step of limiting the movement of the intumescent material towards the first and second sides of the floor.