Conduit body with low friction inner surface layer

• US 7,954,858 B2
• Filed: 12/27/2007
• Issued: 06/07/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 01/31/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Thomas & Betts International LLC (ABB Limited)
• Original Assignee: Thomas & Betts International Incorporated (ABB Limited)
• Inventors: Pyron, Roger
• Primary Examiner(s): DUNWOODY, AARON M
• Application Number:
  US12/005,535
• Publication Number:
  US 20080179877A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,258 Days
• Field of Search: 285/55, 285/149.1, 285/149, 285/125.1, 174/50, 254/134.3 R, 254/134.3 FT
• US Class Current: 285/55
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 1/08 through tubing or conduit, e.g. rod or draw wire for pushing or pulling inserting electrical cables into tubes using wallbores E21B17/206; for optical cables G02B6/4401
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/0406 Details thereof installation or suspension of conduit channels and other supports H02G3/263
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/081 Bases, casings or covers

Abstract

A conduit body assembly includes a conduit body having a layer of lubrication material thereon to aid in pulling wires therethrough. The conduit body includes an elongate side wall, an open upper end and a conduit body interior. At least one hub is in communication with said body interior for passage of wires therethrough. A layer of lubrication material having a low coefficient of friction is adhered to at least on portion of the surface of the body interior.

Claims

1. A conduit body assembly, comprising:

a conduit body; and

a cover;

said conduit body being an elongate tubular member including an elongate perimetrical side wall having an open upper end and a closed lower end, the side wall and lower end defining a conduit body interior;

said upper end of said side wall defining a generally oval planar rim having a pair of oppositely directional lips, said rim and said lips forming a seat for accommodating said cover and enclosing said conduit body interior;

said conduit body including a first tubular conduit attachment hub extending from said body and in communication with said body interior;

a second tubular conduit attachment hub extending from said body and in communication with said body interior;

said first and second hubs defining access ports for passage of wire through said hubs and said body interior; and

a layer of a lubrication material having a low coefficient of friction permanently adhered to an interior surface of said conduit body and to an interior surface of said tubular hubs, said layer of lubrication material remaining permanently adhered thereto during use for facilitating said passage of said wire therethrough.

2. A conduit body assembly according to claim 1, wherein said lubrication material is applied uniformly interior surface of said conduit body and said interior side of said hubs.

3. A conduit body assembly according to claim 1, wherein said lubrication material is adhered by curing.

4. A conduit body of claim 1 wherein said layer is polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE).

5. A method of manufacturing a low-friction conduit body assembly comprising the steps of:

providing an elongate tubular conduit body having a perimetrical side wall, an open upper end, a closed lower wall and a conduit body interior and a pair of tubular conduit attachment hubs forming access ports for passage of wire, said upper end of said side wall defining a generally oval planar rim having a pair of oppositely directional lips, said rim and said lips forming a seat for accommodating said cover and enclosing said conduit body interior;

providing a cover for seating over said open upper end of said conduit body; and

permanently adhering a layer of lubrication material having a low coefficient of friction to an interior surface of said body and to said hubs which remains permanently adhered thereto during use so as to facilitate said passage of said wire therethrough.

6. A method of claim 5, wherein said adhering step includes adhering said layer uniformly to said surface of said body interior.

7. A method of claim 5, wherein said adhering step includes adhering said layer to selected locations of said body interior.

8. A method of claim 5, wherein said adhering step includes adhering said layer to said hubs.