GB2206744A

GB2206744A - Connector for ducting

Info

Publication number: GB2206744A
Application number: GB08716298A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Kenneth Marshall
Original assignee: ARGIVAL PLASTICS Ltd
Current assignee: ARGIVAL PLASTICS Ltd
Priority date: 1987-07-10
Filing date: 1987-07-10
Publication date: 1989-01-11
Anticipated expiration: 2007-07-10
Also published as: GB8716298D0; GB2206744B

Abstract

A connector having two or more tubular sockets for receiving the ends of ducting to be interconnected is formed from two substantially identical mouldings of polymeric material. Each moulding 1 comprises socket forming limbs such as 2, 3, 4, a plurality of flexible integrally moulded tabs 5 disposed around its periphery and a plurality of tab engaging formations 6, which are so arranged that when the two mouldings are brought together in face to face relationship the tabs and tab engaging formations can be interengaged to fasten the mouldings together to form the connector. The limbs 2, 3, 4, have internal ribs (8 Fig. 2) for engaging corrugated ducting. The moulding has a flat outer surface (10 Fig. 3) to allow it to rest in the bottom of a trench or on a flat surface. Internal guide ramps (11) are provided to guide a cable through the connector. <IMAGE>

Description

CONNECTOR FOR DUCTING This invention relates to an article being a connector having tubular sockets for receiving the ends of ducting to be interconnected.

According to the invention, there is provided such a connector is formed from two substantially identical mouldings of polymeric material. and each moulding comprises socket forming limbs, a plurality of flexible integrally moulded tabs disposed around its periphery and a plurality of tab engaging formations, which are so arranged that when the two mouldings are brought together in face to face relationship the tabs and tab engaging formations can be interengaged to fasten the mouldings together to form the connector.

Such a connector has various advantages. The connector can be formed to connect various configurations of ducting. Amongst these may be exmplified: a straight or curved two-duct connector, a connector for connecting two ducts of different sizes, a T- or Y- connector for connecting three ducts.

and a four duct connector. Because it comprises two substantially identical mouldings, there is no "handedness" to the parts, and so for any given configuration it is only necessary to ensure that the correct total number of mouldings is available: it is not necessary to ensure that there are equal numbers of two different mouldings for any given configuration. Also, because the mouldings are substantially identical, they made be made in the same moulding die, and this gives benefits in ease of production and reduced costs. The connector can be very easy to assemble on site. In the case of connectors having three or more sockets, because the connector is in two parts, it can easily be located at a position along a previously laid length of ducting should it later be desired to form a branch in that ducting.

Preferably, each said moulding comprises at least three socket forming limbs. A Advantageously. said tabs and tab engaging formations are adapted to interengage in snap fit manner, preferably in a demountable manner. The latter facilitates opening of the connector for inspection or replacement of the contents of the ducting.

In preferred embodiments of the invention, wherein said socket forming limbs are provided with one or more internal ribs. Such ribs may be of assistance in retaining ducting within the sockets. For example they may be arranged to engage with corrugated ducting or to retain ring seals.

The invention includes an article being a moulding of polymeric material which is adapted, in combination with another identical moulding. to form a connector having tubular sockets for receiving the ends of ducting to be interconnected, such moulding comprising socket forming limbs, a plurality of flexible integrally moulded tabs disposed around its periphery and a plurality of tab engaging formations. which are so arranged that when two such identical mouldings are brought together in face to face relationship the tabs and tab engaging formations of the two mouldings can be interengaged to fasten the mouldings together to form a said connector.

Such a moulding preferably has one or more of the optional features hereinbefore referred to in respect of the connector.

The invention also extends to a die for an injection moulding machine which is shaped for moulding an article as hereinbefore defined, and to a ducting system, preferably a cable ducting system comprising a plurality of ducts interconnected using at least one connector as hereinbefore defined.

A preferred embodiment of connector moulding will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings in which: Figure 1 is a plan view of the moulding, Figure 2 is an underplan view of the moulding, and Figure 3 is a section on the lines Ill-Ill of Figure 2, Figure 4 is a section on the lines IV-IV of Figure 1, Figure 5 is a section on the lines V-V of Figure 1, Figure 6 is a section on the lines VI-VI of Figure 1, and Figure 7 is a section on the lines Vil-Vil of Figure 2.

In the drawings, a moulding of polymeric material is adapted, in combination with another identical moulding, to form a connector having tubular sockets for receiving the ends of ducting to be interconnected. The moulding comprises a central body portion 1 having three socket forming limbs 2, 3, 4, and a plurality of flexible integrally moulded tabs 5 disposed around its periphery and an equal number of tab engaging formations 6, which are so arranged that when two such identical mouldings are brought together in face to face relationship the tabs 5 and tab engaging formations 6 of the two mouldings 1 can be interengaged to fasten the mouldings together to form the connector.

Though the moulding shown comprises three socket forming limbs 2, 3. 4 for forming a T-conector, it will be appreciated that other configurations are possible. For example the moulding may be formed as half of a connector which is: a straight or curved two-duct connector. a connector for connecting two ducts of different sizes, a Y- connector for connecting three ducts, or a cruciform four duct connector.

The tabs 5 have central holes 7 which are adapted to snap fit over the tab engaging formations 6 of a second identical moulding so that the two mouldings can be fastened together in demountable manner.

The socket forming limbs 2, 3, 4 are each provided with two internal ribs 8 for engaging corrugated ducting, for example corrugated cable ducting (not shown).

Distributed around the periphery of the central body 1 of the moulding are several interlock fingers 9, in fact six are shown, which are arranged to bear against the inner surface of a second identical moulding when two such mouldings are assembled in face to face relationship, and these provide locational support which assists in maintaining the security of the connector formed by those two mouldings.

The moulding is designed in such a way that it can be moulded in a two piece die of an injection moulding machine, and the moulding surfaces of those two pieces of the die will readily be apparent from the drawings of the moulded article. Stripping of the moulding from the die pieces is assisted by the fact that neither die is required to have any undercut sections in order to form the moulding.

When closed, a connector formed by two such mouldings is resistant to the intrusion of granular material which is desirable if the connector is to form part of a buried ducting system.

The connector can, after assembly be opened at any time for inspection of matter leading through the ducting which it connects, such as electric cables, or for pulling through new cables. The connector can also easily be inserted at any desired location along a previously laid run of ducting should it be desired to add a T-junction to that run.

The mouldings have rather thin walls so as to maximise internal space, and it may be moulded from polypropylene to give sufficient impact resistance at ordinary temperatures The central body 1 of the moulding has a flat outer surface 10 to allow for easy resting on the bottom of a trench or against a surface, and it includes internal guide ramps 11 to facilitate running for example a cable through a connector when assembled.

Claims

1. An article being a connector having tubular sockets for receiving the ends of ducting to be interconnected. wherein the connector is formed from two substantially identical mouldings of polymeric material, and each moulding comprises socket forming limbs, a plurality of flexible integrally moulded tabs disposed around its periphery and a plurality of tab engaging formations, which are so arranged that when the two mouldings are brought together in face to face relationship the tabs and tab engaging formations can be interengaged to fasten the mouldings together to form the connector.

2. An article according to claim 1, wherein each said moulding comprises at least three socket forming limbs.

3. An article according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said tabs and tab engaging formations are adapted to interengage in snap fit manner.

4. An article according to any preceding claim, wherein said tabs and tab engaging formations are adapted to interengage in demountable manner.

5. An article according to any preceding claim, wherein said socket forming limbs are provided with one or more internal ribs.

6. An article being a moulding of polymeric material which is adapted, in combination with another identical moulding, to form a connector having tubular sockets for receiving the ends of ducting to be interconnected, such moulding comprising socket forming limbs, a plurality of flexible integrally moulded tabs disposed around its periphery and a plurality of tab engaging formations, which are so arranged that when two such identical mouldings are brought together in face to face relationship the tabs and tab engaging formations of the two mouldings can be interengaged to fasten the mouldings together to form a said connector.

7. An article according to claim 6 and having one or more of the features defined in any of claims 2 to 5.

8. A die for an injection moulding machine which is shaped for moulding an article according to claim 6 or 7.

9. A ducting system comprising a plurality of ducts interconnected using at least one connector according to any of claims 1 to 5.

10. A ducting system according to claim 9 being a cable ducting system.