Electrical metallic tube, coupling, and connector apparatus and method

• US 6,903,267 B2
• Filed: 08/04/2004
• Issued: 06/07/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 04/28/2003
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: John Maneely Company
• Original Assignee: John Maneely Company
• Inventors: Burnette, David Ruffin
• Primary Examiner(s): Patel, Dhiru R.
• Application Number:
  US10/910,822
• Publication Number:
  US 20050006123A1
• Time in Patent Office: 307 Days
• Field of Search: 174/48, 174/65.R, 174/68.1, 174/49, 174/68.3, 439/92, 439/95, 439/98, 138/177, 138/103, 285/355, 285/390, 285/333, 285/DIG.11
• US Class Current: 174/359
• 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 linking device for EMT includes a first section having a link inner surface forming a link cavity adapted to receive an end of an EMT, a link outer surface, and at least one barb access hole adapted to allow a corresponding barb of a sleeve device to extend therethrough when the sleeve device is fitted around the first section; a second section; and a separator between the first and second sections.

Claims

1. A linking device for EMT comprising:

a first section having a link inner surface forming a link cavity adapted to receive an end of an EMT, a link outer surface, and at least one barb access hole adapted to allow a corresponding barb of a sleeve device to extend therethrough when the sleeve device is fitted around the first section;

a second section; and

a separator between the first and second sections.

2. The linking device of claim 1 wherein the first section further comprises a ground tab hole adapted to allow a ground tab of the sleeve device to extend therethrough when the sleeve device is fitted around the first section.

3. The linking device of claim 1 wherein the first section comprises four barb access holes.

4. The linking device of claim 1 wherein the first section further comprises a set screw hole adapted to be substantially aligned with a set screw hole on the sleeve device when the sleeve device is fitted around the first section.

5. The linking device of claim 4 comprising a set screw extending through the set screw hole of the first section.

6. The linking device of claim 1 comprises an outer ridge on the outside surface of the first section at a first link end.

7. The linking device of claim 1 wherein the second section is adapted to engage a junction box or transition fitting.

8. The linking device of claim 7 wherein the second section comprises a threaded outside surface or a snap fit assembly.

9. The linking device of claim 1 wherein the link cavity extends through the second section, the second section comprising the link inner surface, the link outer surface, and at least one barb access hole, at least one ground tab hole, and at least one set screw hole.

10. The linking device of claim 1 wherein the linking device is constructed of die-cast zinc.

11. The linking device of claim 1 wherein the first section further comprises:

a ground tab hole adapted to allow a ground tab of the sleeve device to extend therethrough when the sleeve device is fitted around the first section;

four of the barb access holes;

set screw hole adapted to be substantially aligned with a set screw hole on the sleeve device when the sleeve device is fitted around the first section;

a set screw extending through the set screw hole of the first section;

an outer ridge around the outside surface at a first link end; and

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