GB2501230A - Watertight wiring conduit system - Google Patents

Abstract

A wiring conduit system includes at least one elongate tubular member, at least one junction box, and at least one joining component. The component includes at least one seal deformable to form a watertight conduit system connection.

Description

A WIRING CONDUIT SYSTEM

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to wiring conduit system, more particularly for direction and protection of electrical wiring.

Background

Increasing health and safety concerns have meant that electrical work in particular has become tightly regulated, for example wherein in order to undertake electrical fitting work the fitter must be qualified andfor regulated.

Particular concerns may relate to commercial or industrial fittings where a great deal of electrical is needed, and flexibility is key. In such settings, water damage can often be an issue and additionally or in the alternative whole systems of fittings need to be worked out and composed with minimal disturbance and maximum efficiency.

Accordingly a fitter or user may put wiring in conduit, often surface mounted.

Traditionally metal electrical conduit is connected by means of threading. The pipe is cut to the desired length, a thread is added, usually by hand machining, and then attached to one of the connecting parts. This method creates secure lasting joints; however, it is labour intensive and adds considerable time to a job. In addition to this the equipment required to carry out the threading can be expensive and is a substantial piece of equipment to require on site. Therefore in some situations this can be limiting.

Other methods for attaching conduit that do not involve threading can be applied however, methods include use of screw fittings or tapered openings which are not conducive with all component pads and also add to fitting time.

The alternatives often do not have waterproof properties when connected, can reduce or impair conductivity of the circuit and may have poor insulation properties being more susceptible to interference.

Prior Art

Accordingly a number of patent applications have been filed in an attempt to resolve the problem, including the following: International patent application WO 2011 005 606 (ARTAUD et al) discloses a process for joining at least a first and a second conduit to control the electrical resistance of a conduit circuit, characterized in that it comprise of the following steps:-placing a cylindrical section of an adapter onto one end of a first conduit,-crimping of at least a part of the cylindrical section onto a first conduit, a spacing block made of a polymer material having a previously chosen conductivity, being positioned in the extension of the end of the first conduit and clipped onto the cylindrical section, with the crimping serving to lock the spacing block with respect to the adapter.-joining of the spacing block to the end of the second conduit.

Granted United States patent US 6 988 746 (OLSON) discloses a water tight fitting for joining unthreaded electrical conduits to other components comprising: a circular housing having a bore operable to receive the end of a conduit to be joined with another component by said fitting; at least one screw means associated with said fitting operable to engage said end of a conduit inserted in such bore to lock the same in said fitting; at least one compression means having an aperture enabling it to slide freely along such conduit and operable to engage said housing in a manner that said compression means is advanced axially along such conduit in said housing; and sealing means positioned between said compression means and said housing operable to effect a water tight seal between said housing and such conduit when said compressing means compresses said sealing means as it is advanced axially toward said housing.

United States patent application US 6 059 321 (LYALL) discloses a fitting for a tubular conduit, comprising: a tubular body having a central passage for receiving the tubular conduit, said central passage defining a central axis and having a tapered opening, a threaded section and a seal section which extend about said central axis; a seal member which extends from said seal section for sealingly engaging an exterior periphery of the tubular conduit; said seal section and said seal member being disposed between said tapered opening and said threaded section of said central passage, and said threaded section having crests which extend with edges for scoring the exterior periphery of the tubular conduit, wherein said crests of said threaded section will grippingly engage within the tubular conduit to pull said tubular conduit further within said central passage when said fitting is rotated in a first angular direction about said central axis and relative to the tubular conduit; and wherein a section of the tubular conduit is disposed within said central passage, with said tapered opening rounding the exterior periphery of the tubular conduit, said seal member extending from said seal section and engaging the exterior periphery of the tubular conduit and said threaded section extending through the exterior periphery and into the tubular conduit to retain the tubular conduit within said fitting.

United States patent application US 5 562 313 (PINIAEV et al) discloses a pipe coupling for engaging and securing in axial alignment adjacent ends of two separate pipe sections, said coupling comprising: an axially extending body defining an axial opening for receiving each adjacent end of the pipe sections, said body having at least first and second axially extending faces positioned laterally from said opening and being spaced from each other and moveable toward each other and each of said faces having first and second axial ends, said first face defining an axially extending bead member, said second face defining an axially extending groove member for receiving said bead member for partially sealing said opening, said body further defining at least a first radial groove having walls extending around and intersecting said opening, a first ring member retained in said radial groove being compressed against said walls when said first and second faces moved toward each other for partially sealing said axial opening, and first securing members fixed externally to said body for compressing said first axial ends of said first and second faces toward each other, second securing members fixed externally to said body for compressing said second axial ends of said first and second faces toward each other, and wherein said first face includes a convex portion located near the axial mid-length of said first face and extending toward said second face for contacting said second face for enabling full compression of said first axial ends on one pipe section while spreading open said second axial ends to receive the other pipe section prior to compression by said second securing members.

In contrast the present invention provides an easy-to-assemble, and subsequently repair or modify, watertight and cost-effective solution for wiring a building.

Summary of the Invention

According to the present invention there is provided a wiring conduit system.

including at least one elongate tubular member, at least one junction box, at least one joining component; characterised in that the component in use includes at least one seal deformable to form a watertight conduit system connection Therefore in use when a member or box are inserted into the joining component, and according to a second aspect of the present invention, joining or connection may be secured by means of applying pressure to the joining component through use of pressing tongs, crimping tool or alike.

As the seal deforms this pressure application action creates a lasting watertight join by means of crimping a part of the joining component.

Typically therefore at least of the component is formed in metal, preferably as is at least part of the box and member Further embodiments may include carbon or plastic elements.

In preferred embodiments the joining component is of deep drawn, extruded stainless steel or other non ferrous metal construction.

Typically the component comes in various forms to enable flexibility the conduit system, being typically plural fixtures in axial alignment, or to enable the conduit to be laid and fixed in different directions.

According to a third aspect of the present invention this is made possible through components including but not exclusively, straight components, elbow connectors, U bend and T junction components, as well as the boxes.

In the preferred embodiment components have thickened ends, with a standardised interior diameter, so as to improve strength, show area of connection and indicate where pressure should be applied.

This thickening reduces chances of damaging the component when connecting together the system.

In the preferred embodiment the thickening is achieved by reinforced ends that are created by a thicker band of metal. In other embodiments the ends of the component are made of a stronger metal so as to avoid the need for thickened metal and to allow a smooth exterior finish. In yet further embodiments the end of a join could be marked by an alternative method such as colour coding or engraving to the metal.

Furthermore according to a third aspect of the present invention the ends of the component contain the deformable seal in use, wherein either the seal is semi-permanently inserted at manufacture, for example composed of a deformable metal such as lead, or inserted in or before use, using a resiliently deformable seal such as a rubber, silicone, plastic or elastomer ring.

The boxes include entry or component lugs or limbs which may have an increased length to ensure that the component can accept the box. An extruded box or component is preferable over a cast box or component as the finish is better ensuring a good fit and a lesser requirement for milling prior to fitting. However boxes are typically not well disposed for extrusion and consequently in order to provide watertight seals the boxes include peripheral joining parts, or limbs, with milled surfaces.

A close fit to the component provides a preferable contact area for when pressure is applied, to thus enable a watertight connection. In the preferred embodiment the component would include an 0-ring inside the joining component that serves to improve the seal made when connecting the conduit system.

According to the fourth aspect of the device therefore it is envisaged the seal is made of a durable, heat stable, resilient material such as rubber, silicone or elastomer, that fits within the diameter of the component to which the box or member would butt up to within the system.

This aspect would be advantageous in systems that are subjected to effects of expansion and contraction due to temperature changes and a resiliently deformable seal would maintain a good connection despite changes occurring.

In some embodiments the press tong may have a heat element to enhance the joining process. The application of higher temperatures to the joining component assists in the crimping process by means a melting seal, such as solder, which would deform during application of the heat to create a solid, sealed connection.

In other embodiments multiple seals of same or different types may be utilised to ensure superior water proofing and electrical insulation. This would also create a failsafe method into the system should an seal fail resulting in compromise of the connection and or seal.

Due to slight deformation at the joint when heat and or pressure are applied it is important that the seal be of suitable thickness so as to allow for changes during joining and subsequent post-fitting changes such as those caused due to expansion or contraction in response to temperature changes.

A seal could be included in production, within the component or be made available as a post production addition if required and in anticipation of this the component end may have an interior groove for the seal. It is anticipated that in situations where water ingress is not likely to be a factor that the addition of the rubber 0-ring may be unnecessary such that deformation is encompassed by the component end, however an option of adding it if required provides the user with flexibility. In yet further embodiments a split ring may provide the seal in use.

The joining component may have applications beyond conduit systems to include the transmission of fluids and gasses and in some embodiments the components may include an insulation layer providing additional protection and reducing interference.

Cutting threads by hand, cuffing out vice, bench work, and culling paste are all avoided in use, increasing efficiency. In addition or the alternative the joining provides a metal to metal seal which is recognised as preferred.

In some further embodiments existing systems may be capable of modification with said invention, whereby a seal may be provided in use on a component, and said component includes an opposing or distal thread connector to standard parts or boxes.

The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of invention.

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realised that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to (hose skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

Brief Description of Figures

Figure 1 shows an isometric view of a preferred embodiment of the component; Figure 2 shows an isometric view of a preferred embodiment of the box; Figure 3 shows an isometric view of a second embodiment of the component; Figure 4 shows an isometric view of a second embodiment of the box; and Figure 5 shows an isometric view of a third embodiment of the box.

Detailed Description of Figures

The pictured and preferred embodiment can be used in conjunction with ordinary piping or various types of conduit and many industry standard fixtures to form a conduit system suitable for feeding electrical cables through, by use of a joining mechanism that creates a secure connection in a reduced amount of time, and that does not involve threading.

The embodiments use application of pressure, typically using a press or crimping tool, on a joining component or more particularly integral seal in use, to create connections between conduit, creating lasting watertight joins.

This allows configuration and planning of a system of conduits in a building, and laying out of such, for example using pipe clips and such like, with subsequent joining and fixing in place.

This press fixing method may also be combined with a heat element in some further embodiments to enhance effectiveness. Such a multi aspect form of joining or connecting conduit creates a secure, lasting fixing in a fraction of the time needed for traditional techniques, but importantly can make use of many standard fittings.

All preferred embodiments have the advantage of being watertight to prevent ingress of water into the conduit and allow the fitter to design and put in place the whole system before needing to make any fixed connections.

In the pictured embodiment a straight joining component such as that pictured in Figure 1 comprises; a metal deep drawn cylindrical component with thickened ends.

The thickened ends indicate clearly where joins have been made in the system and provide guidance for where the crimping tool should be applied. The component ends are of diameter that will accept a member.

The box in the pictured and preferred embodiment is formed in cast metal so as to minimise costs.

In order to ensure that the system remains watertight however the box ends or limbs are milled to allow for a smooth watertight finish, andlor connection with the components.

Where there is provided a curved joining component, or elbow component there is a straight section at the ends to allow a pressing tong or crimping tool to be used in the most effective way. As above the diameter is such that it will accept a flush fit of conduit and fixtures.

Claims (8)

1. Claims 1. A wiring conduit system, including at least one elongate tubular member, at least one junction box, at least one joining component; characterised in that the component in use includes at least one seal deformable to form a watertight conduit system connection.
2. 2. A system according to claim 1 wherein joining may be secured by means of applying pressure to the joining component through use of a tool.
3. 3. A system according to claim I or 2 wherein the component may include straights, elbows, and bend&
4. 4. A system according to claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein the seal is made of a durable, heat stable, resilient material such as rubber, silicone or elastomer, that fits within the component diameter.
5. 5. A system according to any preceding claim including; a joining component that facilitates connection between conduit and fixtures by use of a press tool to apply pressure to the component to form a watertight join.
6. 6. A system according to any preceding claim wherein the box has a cast form, with milled limbs.
7. 7. A component according to any preceding claim wherein a resilient 0-ring is fitted to the component interior.
8. 8. A joining component according to any preceding claim wherein an interior groove is made in the component to allow for an 0-ring.