Universal conduit body and system

• US 6,527,302 B1
• Filed: 06/26/2001
• Issued: 03/04/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 06/26/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Greg D. Gault, James R. Streng
• Original Assignee: Greg D. Gault, James R. Streng
• Inventors: Gault, Greg D., Streng, James R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Swann, J. J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Lugo, Carlos
• Application Number:
  US09/891,831
• Time in Patent Office: 616 Days
• Field of Search: 285/125.1, 285/126.1, 285/129.1, 285/129.2, 285/130.1, 285/907, 285/152.1, 285/154.1, 285/149.1, 174/50, 220/3.2
• US Class Current: 285/125.1
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 41/03 comprising junction pieces for four or more pipe members
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 285/907 Electrical fixtures

Abstract

A universal conduit body system is provided having an outer housing having a first wall thickness, at least one port and an inner space. Each port has an opening in the housing and a recess in the housing surrounding the opening. Each recess includes a second wall thickness less than the first wall thickness. In use, the port mates with a connector that includes an interface having substantially the same physical shape as the recess.

Claims

1. A universal conduit body comprising:

(a) an outer housing having a first wall thickness, at least one port and an inner space;

(b) each port comprising an opening in the housing and a recess in the housing surrounding the opening;

(c) each recess comprising a second wall thickness less than the first wall thickness; and

wherein the recess has at least one opening for accepting a fastener.

2. The conduit body of claim 1 wherein the recess further comprises a shape having a central portion and at least one extension.

3. The conduit body of claim 1 wherein the recess further comprises a shape having a plurality of extensions.

4. The conduit body of claim 1 wherein the recess further comprises a shape having eight extensions.

5. The conduit body of, claim 1 wherein the recess further comprises a shape having a varying radial geometry.

6. The conduit body of claim 1 wherein the recess further comprises a polygon shape.

7. The conduit body of claim 1 wherein the recess is configured to align a connector device to the conduit body.

8. The conduit body of claim 1 wherein the housing further comprises a stub portion having a hollow space for connecting the housing to a wire carrying body.

9. The conduit body of claim 1 wherein the housing further comprises a removable plate having a shape configured to be placed at least partially, within the recess for covering the port when not in use.

10. A conduit body comprising:

a housing means having a plurality of porting means and an inner space; and

each porting means comprising an aperture in the housing means and a means for aligning a connector to the porting means, wherein the means for aligning comprises an indentation in the housing surrounding said aperture, and wherein the means for aligning further comprises means for fastening the connector; and

wherein the indentation comprises a plurality of depressions surrounding the aperture.

11. The conduit body of claim 10 wherein the plurality of depressions comprise a shape having a plurality of extensions emanating from a central portion.

12. The conduit body of claim 10 wherein the plurality of depressions comprise a polygon shape.

13. The conduit body of claim 10 wherein the housing means further comprises means for interfacing the conduit body to at least one rigid conduit.

14. The conduit body of claim 10 further comprising means for covering said porting means when said porting means is not in use.

15. A universal conduit system comprising:

(a) a conduit box comprising;

(1) an outer housing having a first wall thickness, at least one port and an inner space;

(2) the port comprising an opening in the housing and a recess in the housing surrounding the opening; and

(2) each recess comprising a second wall thickness less than the first wall thickness and at least one opening for accepting a fastener; and

(b) a connector comprising;

(1) a stub portion having a hollow space for communicating with the inner space; and

(2) an interface in physical communication with the stub portion and configured to be accepted at least partially within the recess of the conduit box.

16. The system of claim 15 wherein the recess and interface each comprise a central portion and a plurality of extensions.

17. The system of claim 15 wherein the recess and interface each comprise a polygon shape.

18. The system of claim 15 further comprising a removable plate having a shape configured to placed at least partially within the recess for covering the port when not in use.

19. The system of claim 15 further comprising a gasket for placing between the recess and interface.

20. The system of claim 15 further comprising a second connector, wherein the first connector is configured for attaching a first size conduit and the second connector is configured for attaching a second size conduit.