Fitting with improved continuity

• US 6,709,280 B1
• Filed: 01/17/2002
• Issued: 03/23/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 01/17/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Arlington Industries Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Arlington Industries Incorporated
• Inventors: Gretz, Thomas J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ta, Tho D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): TSUKERMAN, LARISA Z
• Application Number:
  US10/053,076
• Time in Patent Office: 796 Days
• Field of Search: 174/65.R, 174/51, 174/153.G, 439/92, 439/95, 439/96, 439/108, 439/557, 439/939
• US Class Current: 439/92
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 15/04 Cable-end sealings
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/06 Joints for connecting lengths of protective tubing or channels, to each other or to casings, e.g. to distribution boxes; Ensuring electrical continuity in the joint
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 439/939 with grounding to metal mounting panel

Abstract

A fitting for connecting a cable to an electrically conducting electrical junction box that improves the continuity between the fitting, the cable, and the junction box. The fitting features a hollow electrical connector having an electrical conducting spring member surrounding its leading end with the spring member including at least one grounding tang and at least one spring locking member cantilevered from its outer circumference. The locking member extends at a slope away from the leading end such that when the fitting is pressed into a hole in a junction box, the locking member is compressed by the surrounding wall of the junction box toward the fitting and as the locking member clears the surrounding wall, it snaps outward to its relaxed state and thereby locks the fitting into the box. The grounding tang, located near the trailing end of the spring member, extends at a rising slope from its supported end to a crest and then at a downward slope to its trailing end. When pressed into a hole in a junction box, the grounding tangs are compressed toward the fitting until the crest clears the hole whereupon the springiness of the grounding tangs and the downward slope cause the fitting to be drawn tightly against the junction box wall.

Claims

1. A fitting for an electrically conducting electrical junction box comprising:

a hollow electrically conductive connector through which an electrical conductor is inserted with said connector having a leading end thereof for insertion in a hole in an electrical junction box and a face for limiting the depth of insertion of said connector in said hole;

an electrically conductive spring member surrounding said leading end of said electrical connector which has a leading portion and trailing portion;

a spring locking member integral with and cantilevered at one end from said spring member, said spring locking member springs inward to permit said spring member and said locking member to be inserted in said hole in said junction box and springs outward to lock said electrical connector from being withdrawn from said hole; and

a grounding tang integral with and supported at one end from said spring member and free at its trailing end with said grounding tang having a rising slope at said supported end, a downward slope at said trailing end and a crest separating said rising slope and said downward slope allowing said grounding tang to spring inward as said leading portion is inserted in said hole in said junction box and further allowing said grounding tang to spring outward after said crest clears said hole of said junction box thereby enabling said grounding tang to draw said face of said electrical connector against said junction box and provide electrical continuity between said junction box and said electrical connector.

2. The fitting of claim 1 wherein said spring member is less than a complete circle and includes a relaxed diameter, said hole includes a diameter, and said relaxed diameter of said spring member is less than said diameter of said hole thereby enabling said spring locking member and said crest of said grounding tang to extend beyond said diameter of said hole.

3. The fitting of claim 1 wherein said spring member is a split ring with the two ends of the ring shaped to overlap one another.

4. The fitting of claim 1 wherein said connector includes a flange and shoulder with a smooth intermediate portion therebetween with said spring member carried on said intermediate portion and held in position by said flange and said shoulder.

5. A method for quickly connecting fittings to electrical junction boxes comprising:

providing an electrically conductive electrical junction box with a hole, said hole having a diameter;

providing an electrically conductive electrical connector having a leading end for insertion in said hole and a face limiting the distance said connector is inserted in said hole;

providing a circular electrically conductive spring member surrounding said leading end of said electrical connector with said spring member having a leading portion and a trailing portion;

providing at least one spring locking member on said spring member that has a relaxed outer dimension greater than said diameter of said hole;

providing at least one grounding tang integral with and supported at one end from said spring member and free at its opposite end, said grounding tang having a rising slope at said supported end, a downward slope at said trailing end and a crest separating said rising slope and said downward slope; and

inserting said leading end of said electrical connector with said surrounding spring member into said hole until said crest of said grounding tang clears said hole and said grounding tang draws said face of said electrical connector against said junction box thereby providing electrical continuity between said junction box and said electrical connector.