Electrical metallic tube, coupling, and connector apparatus and method

• US 6,797,877 B1
• Filed: 04/28/2003
• Issued: 09/28/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 04/28/2003
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: John Maneely Company
• Original Assignee: JONN Maneely Company
• Inventors: Burnette, David Ruffin
• Primary Examiner(s): Reichard, Dean A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Estrada, Angel R.
• Application Number:
  US10/425,358
• Time in Patent Office: 519 Days
• Field of Search: 174/65.R, 174/48, 174/51, 174/50, 174/135, 174/68.1, 174/65.SS, 174/49, 174/68.3, 439/92, 439/95, 439/98, 439/142, 439/144, 138/177, 138/103, 138/DIG.11, 138/109, 138/155, 138/96.T, 138/96.R, 285/355, 285/390, 285/424, 285/38, 285/333, 285/907, 285/81
• US Class Current: 174/480
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/0683 with bolts operating in a direction transverse to the conductors

Abstract

A labor saving system, method, and apparatus for connecting or coupling lengths of electric metallic tubing (“EMT”). The invention uses couplings/connectors that have barbs that are designed to engage corresponding indentations on EMT to ensure proper installation. In one aspect, the invention is an EMT having: an EMT inner surface forming an EMT cavity; an EMT outer surface; an EMT first end; and at least one indentation in the EMT outer surface at or near the EMT first end, the indentation adapted to receive a corresponding barb from a sleeve device. In another aspect, the invention is a sleeve device comprising; a sleeve inner surface formning a sleeve cavity adapted to receive an end of an EMT; a sleeve outer surface; a first sleeve end; at least one barb on the sleeve inner surface at or near the first sleeve end, the barb adapted to engage a corresponding indentation on the EMT.

Claims

1. A connection assembly for EMT comprising:

a linking device having a first section and a second section, the first section having a link inner surface forming a link cavity for receiving an end of the EMT, a link outer surface, and at least one barb access hole; and

a sleeve device comprising a sleeve inner surface forming a sleeve cavity adapted to fit around the link outside surface, a sleeve outer surface, at least one barb on the sleeve inner surface adapted to engage a corresponding indentation on the EMT;

wherein the sleeve device is fitted around the first section of the linking device, the at least one barb extending through the at least one barb access hole and into the link cavity.

2. The connection assembly of claim 1 wherein the first section of the linking device comprises a ground tab hole and the sleeve device comprises a ground tab adapted to extend through the ground tab hole.

3. The connection assembly of claim 1 herein the first section comprises four barb access holes and the sleeve device comprises four corresponding barbs.

4. The connection assembly of claim 1 wherein the first section has a first link end, the it end having an outer ridge on the outside surface.

5. The connection assembly of claim 1 wherein the link cavity extends through the second section;

the second section comprising the link inner surface, the link outer surface, at least one barb access hole, at least one ground tab hole, and at least one set screw hole.

6. The connection assembly of claim 1 wherein the linking device is constructed of die-cast zinc.

7. The connection assembly of claim 1 wherein the sleeve device is constructed of spring steel or steel.

8. The connection assembly of claim 1 further comprising:

an EMT having an EMT outer surface, an EMT first end, and at least one indentation in the EMT outer surface at or near the EMT first end; and

the EMT positioned in the link cavity, the barb extending into the indentation.

9. The connection assembly of claim 8 wherein the indentation is a dimple.

10. The connection assembly of claim 9 wherein the dimple is D-shaped or linearly-shaped.

11. A connection assembly for EMT comprising:

a linking device having a first section and a second section, the first section having a link inners urface forming a link cavity for receiving an end of the EMT, a link outer surface, and at least one barb access hole;

a sleeve device comprising a sleeve inner surface forming a sleeve cavity adapted to fit around the link outside surface, a sleeve outer surface, at let one barb on the sleeve inner surface adapted to engage a corresponding indentation on the EMT; and

wherein the sleeve device is fitted around the first section of the linking device, the at least one barb extending through the at least one barb access hole;

wherein the first section of the linking device further comprises a set screw hole and the sleeve device further comprises a set screw hole, wherein the set screw holes are substantially aligned.

12. The connection assembly of claim 11 further comprising a set screw extending through the set screw holes.

13. A connection assembly for EMT comprising:

a linking device having a first section and a second section, the first section having a link inner surface forming a link cavity for receiving an end of the EMT, a link outer surface, and at least one barb access hole;

a sleeve device comprising a sleeve inner surface forming a sleeve cavity adapted to fit around the link outside surface, a sleeve outer surface, at least one barb on the sleeve inner surface adapted to engage a corresponding indentation on the EMT;

wherein the sleeve device is fitted around the first section of the linking device, the at least one barb extending through the at least one barb access hole; and

wherein the second section comprises a threaded outside surface or a snap fit assembly.

14. The connection assembly for EMT comprising:

a linking device having a first section and a second section, the first section having a link inner surge forming a link cavity for receiving an end of the EMT, a link outer surface, and at least one barb access hole; and

a sleeve device comprising a sleeve inner surface forming a sleeve cavity adapted to fit around the link outside surface, a sleeve outer surface, at least one barb on the sloe inner surface adapted to engage a corresponding indentation on the EMT;

wherein the sleeve device is fitted around the first section of the linking device, the at least one barb extending through the at least one barb access hole;

wherein the first section of the linking device further comprises ground tab hole and the sleeve device further comprises a ground tab adapted to extend through the ground tab hole;

wherein the first section comprises four barb access holes and the sleeve device comprises four corresponding barbs;

wherein the first section of the linking device further comprises a set screw hole and the sleeve device further comprises a set screw hole, wherein the set screw holes are substantially aligned;

wherein the first section has a first link end having an outer ridge; and

wherein the second section is adapted to engage a junction box.