WO2006030251A1

WO2006030251A1 - A conduit accessory for use with electrical conduits

Info

Publication number: WO2006030251A1
Application number: PCT/IB2004/003007
Authority: WO
Inventors: David Peter Dennison
Original assignee: David Peter Dennison
Priority date: 2004-09-16
Filing date: 2004-09-16
Publication date: 2006-03-23

Abstract

The invention relates to an electrical accessory that serves as a conduit accessory such as a junction box or an inspection piece, for use with electrical conduits. The accessory includes a body, defining an internal space and an opening leading into the space, and a cover, that includes a peripheral skirt formation that fits slidably into the opening defined by the body, for blocking the opening. The body has a wall that defines the opening and that defines holes therein, the holes permitting electrical wiring carried in conduits to enter the space in the body. The body and the skirt formation of the cover define complementary sealing formations that provide a water tight seal between the cover and the body, when the cover is effectively applied to the body.

Description

A CONDUIT ACCESSORY FOR USE WITH ELECTRICAL CONDUITS

THIS INVENTION relates to a conduit accessory for use with electrical conduits.

Within this specification, by a conduit accessory for use with electrical conduits is meant an accessory that includes a body defining an internal space and at least one hole in a wall of the body which is positionable in line with an electrical conduit and through which an electrical wire can pass to enter the said internal space. The body defines also an opening which permits access into the internal space defined thereby and which ordinarily is blocked by a cover that is removably secured on the body, removal of the cover thus permitting access to the wires entering the said internal space, or the inspection of wires entering the said internal space, in use of the accessory. As such, the conduit accessory may comprise any one of a junction box, which permits the connection of electrical wires entering the internal space within the box, an inspection box such as an inspection T-piece, an inspection elbow, or an inspection bend, which permits the inspection of electrical wires within the said internal space, and the like.

In relation to conduit accessories of the above type, it is well known that the cover thereof is secured to the body by securing screws and that a sealing gasket is located between the cover and the body for sealing purposes. The removal of the securing screws often becomes a problem, e.g. when painted over or when eroded, while the use of a gasket for sealing also is not always effective. It is an object of this invention to provide a conduit accessory in respect of which the above problems are at least ameliorated. According to the invention there is provided an electrical accessory including

a body defining therein an internal space and an opening that permits access into the internal space, the body having a wall defined around the opening that defines an internal surface that extends into the said internal space, substantially perpendicularly to the general plane of the opening; and

a cover for the body that includes a peripheral skirt formation that fits slidably into the said opening to be disposed in sliding abutment with the said internal surface, the wall that defines the internal surface and the skirt formation of the cover defining complementary sealing formations, in the form of a peripheral rib-like formation, defined by one of the said wall that defines the said internal surface and the skirt formation, and a complementary peripheral groove, defined by the other one of the said wall that defines the internal surface and the skirt formation, the rib-like formation releasably engaging the groove upon the location of the cover on the body and providing a water tight seal between the cover and the body in the engagement region.

The internal surface defined by the wall of the body may be a generally cylindrical surface, or may define any other perimeter profile, the-exact configuration of this surface being determined particularly by the configuration and type of electrical accessory with which it is associated.

The body of the electrical accessory may define a shoulder formation around the said internal surface defined by the wall projecting into the internal space of the body around the opening defined thereby and the cover may define a matching abutment formation that abuts against the shoulder formation in the closure position of the cover on the body.

The body also may define at least one hole in a wall thereof that surrounds the internal space defined by the body, which hole is positionable in line with an electrical conduit to permit electrical wiring passing through the conduit to enter the internal space via the said hole. The hole may be connectable in line with an electrical conduit to permit electrical wiring passing through the conduit to enter the internal space via the said hole.

For an electrical accessory in the form of a junction box, the internal space defined by the body may be surrounded by a substantially cylindrical wall and the hole may be defined in this cylindrical wall. The substantially cylindrical wall also may define a plurality of holes that permit electrical wiring to enter the internal space from different directions. Still further, the substantially cylindrical wall may have a base wall at one end thereof, with the opening of the body being defined at the opposite end thereof, the base wall including at least one knock-out formation that is removable for forming an opening through which electrical wiring can enter the internal space.

The body of the electrical accessory, when in the form of a junction box as above defined, may define integrally therewith a pair of engagement formations, projecting towards one another from the substantially cylindrical wall in diametrically opposite locations within the body, the engagement formations each defining a threaded bore therein, the threaded bores being disposed parallel to the substantially cylindrical wall and being engageable by complementary screws to permit securing of a fitting, such as a light fitting, on the body, in use of the accessory and with the cover removed.

The invention extends also to an electrical accessory in the form of a junction box as above defined, which includes a pair of engagement elements and in which the body and the engagement elements define complementary locating formations, for locating the engagement elements in diametrically opposite locations within the body, and the engagement elements define threaded bores therein, the treaded bores being disposed parallel to the substantially cylindrical wall of the body when the elements are located within the body and being engageable by complementary screws to permit securing of a fitting, such as a light fitting, on the body, in use of the accessory and with the cover removed. The engagement formations typically comprise complementary dovetail-like formations that permit the slidable location of the engagement elements within the body. With the engagement elements located as defined, a conventional light fitting, or the like, can be mounted on the body, particularly with the cover of the body removed and with the aid of securing screws that can screw into the threaded apertures defined in the respective engagement elements. The same applies clearly for an accessory in which the body defines engagement formations, as above defined, as part thereof. The above clearly permits the electrical accessory in the form of a junction box to be used both in a conventional manner as a junction box, or for the location of a light fitting in a conventional manner as occurs commonly in relation to the use of conventional junction boxes.

In respect of each hole defined in a wall of the body, the said wall may have a tubular extension extending therefrom that provides for connection to an electrical conduit therewith, with the conduit disposed in communication with the internal space defined by the body via the hole.

For an electrical accessory in the form of an inspection piece, the body of the accessory may comprise at least two tubular segments that are connected by a connector segment where the opening is defined. The angular configuration of the tubular segments with respect to one another may determine the type of inspection piece and, as such, the inspection piece may be any one of an inspection T-piece, an inspection bend and an inspection elbow.

Still further for an electrical accessory in the form of an inspection piece, the connector segment may define the opening and the wall that extends into the internal space that slidably receives the peripheral skirt formation of the cover of the accessory.

Further according to the invention, the rib-like formation may be defined by the said wall of the body that defines the internal surface, the groove thus being defined within the skirt formation of the cover. Still further, in order to facilitate removal of the cover from the body as envisaged, the free edge of the wall defining the internal surface surrounding the opening defined by the body may define a recess formation that permits insertion of a screwdriver-like tool therein, for wedging between the said wall and the cover, permitting displacement of the cover by effective rotation of the screwdriver-like tool.

The body and the cover of the electrical accessory of the invention may be formed of any suitable material and, particularly, is formed of a synthetic plastics material, such as PVC.

Further features of the electrical accessory of the invention are described hereafter with reference to examples of electrical accessories, that are illustrated in the accompanying diagrammatic drawings. In the drawings:

Figure 1 shows a top view of the body of a first embodiment of a conduit accessory, in accordance with the invention;

Figure 2 shows a cross-sectional side view of the conduit accessory of Figure 1 along line H-Il of Figure 1 and including the cover of the accessory;

Figure 3 shows a top view of the body of a second embodiment of a conduit accessory, in accordance with the invention;

Figure 4 shows a cross-sectional side view of the conduit accessory of Figure 3 along line IV-IV of Figure 3 and including the cover of the accessory;

Figure 5 shows a top view of a third embodiment of a conduit accessory, in accordance with the invention;

Figure 6 shows a top view of a fourth embodiment of a conduit accessory, in accordance with the invention; Figure 7 shows a top view of an optional configuration of the body of the first embodiment of a conduit accessory as shown in Figure 1 ; and

Figure 8 shows a cross-sectional side view of the body of the conduit accessory as shown in Figure 7, along line VIII-VIII of Figure 7.

Referring initially to Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings, a first embodiment of a conduit accessory in the form of a junction box, in accordance with the invention, is designated generally by the reference numeral 10. The junction box 10 includes a body 12 and a cover 14 which, typically, are formed of a synthetic plastics material such as PVC.

The body 12 defines an internal face 16 which is defined by a cylindrical side wall 18 and a base wall 20, at one end of the side wall 18, the opposite end of the side wall defining a circular opening 22 which is blocked by the cover 14 when disposed in its closure position on the body 12, as shown in Figure 2 of the drawings.

As is clearly apparent from Figure 2 of the drawings, the side wall 18 of the body 12 defines an internal surface that effectively surrounds the opening 12, the said surface extending into the internal space 16. The cover 14 includes a main wall 24 that has a peripheral skirt formation 26 depending therefrom, the skirt formation being configured to fit slidably into the opening 12 in a snug fashion.

Furthermore, the said internal surface defined by the wall 18 has a peripheral rib formation 28 projecting therefrom into the internal space 16, whereas the skirt formation has a complementary groove formation 30 defined therein, these complementary formations serving firstly as clipping formations for securing the location of the cover 14 on the body 12 and secondly as sealing formations that provide a water tight seal between them, particularly to prevent water from entering the body. As is clearly shown in Figure 2, as a result of the "tight" fit of the skirt formation of the cover, and the configuration of the rib formation 28 and the groove formation 30, the opposing walls operatively beneath the formations 28 and 30 are spaced apart in the operative configuration of the cover, being permitted by the resilience of the PVC.

As is also clear from Figure 2 of the drawings, the free end of the wall 18, where the opening 22 is defined, and the cover 14 define opposing formations, generally indicated by the numeral 32, that are disposed in abutment with one another when the cover 14 is disposed in its operative closure position on the body 12.

It will thus be understood that with the cover 14 positioned on the body 12 as described, by the abutment of opposing surfaces in the region of the rib formation 28 and the groove formation 30, an effective seal is provided between the cover 14 and the body 12 without requiring any further sealing means, such as a gasket. Further holding means for holding the cover on the body 12 also is not required.

The junction box 10 includes further one or more holes 34, three holes being shown in the drawings, which are, in use, connectable, or positionable, in line with electrical conduits to permit electrical wiring passing through the conduits to enter the internal space 16 for electrical connection purposes. In this regard, the use of the junction box 10 clearly is conventional and is not described further herein. In addition, the base wall 20 of the body 12 has one or more circularly configured lines of weakness 36 formed therein, four of such lines being shown in dotted lines, which provide for knock-out formations that are removable from the base wall. Holes so provided also permit electrical wiring to enter the space 16. In this regard, the junction box 20 is again essentially conventional.

Still further, the free end of the side wall 18 defines a recess formation 38 therein that is disposed immediately beneath the cover 14, this formation 38 being configured to permit the insertion of the free end of a screwdriver therein, the screwdriver thus being wedged between the body and the cover. Through rotation of the screwdriver, the displacement of the cover 14 from the body 12 and, particularly, the disengagement of the complementary formations 28, 30, is facilitated. It is submitted that the junction box 10 is suitable for all known applications of conventional junction boxes, while not being associated with the problems associated with known junction boxes, which include the difficulties linked with the removal of the covers of such junction boxes and the use of gaskets for sealing purposes.

Referring now to Figures 3 and 4 of the drawings, a second embodiment of a conduit accessory in the form of a junction box, in accordance with the invention, is designated by the reference numeral 50. The junction box 50 is essentially the equivalent of the junction box 10 as described with reference to Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings and, as such, is not described in further detail hereafter. Like parts also are designated by the same reference numerals as before. The junction box 50 thus includes a body 12 that defines a space 16 therein which is accessible for wiring purposes via an opening 22 closable by a cover 14, wiring entering the space 16 via holes 34 defined in the side wall 18 forming part of the body 12. Each hole 34 is associated with a tubular extension 52 that extends from the body 12, the tubular extensions 52 facilitating connection to electrical conduits through which electrical wiring can pass for entering into the space 16. For the remainder, the construction of the junction box 50 is substantially identical to that of the junction box 10, with similar variations being envisaged.

Figure 5 of the drawings illustrates a third embodiment of a conduit accessory, in accordance with the invention, this conduit accessory comprising an inspection T-piece which is designated generally by the reference numeral 60. The inspection T-piece 60 includes a body that has three tubular segments 62 that are connected together by a connector segment 64, the tubular segments 62 essentially defining a T-configu ration in conjunction with the connector segment 64. The connector segment 64 defines an inspection opening 66 on one side thereof, which is blocked by a cover 68. The inspection opening is associated with a wall that extends into the space defined within the connector segment 64 around the perimeter of the opening 66, forming an internal surface which is essentially equivalent to the internal surface defined by the wall 18 of the body 12 of the junction box 10 as shown in Figures 1 and 2, thus rendering the cover 68 positionable in the closure position thereof, as shown, in a similar manner to the cover 14 of the junction box 10. Complementary rib and groove formations again can provide for the secure location of the cover in this configuration, as well as an effective seal between the cover and the body. It will thus be understood that the cover 68 can again be applied without the assistance of any special tools or screws, while its removal can be effected by a screwdriver, or the like, which can be accommodated by a recess formation that is formed in the wall forming the connector segment 64 and that is equivalent to the recess formation 38 as described with reference to the junction box as shown in Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings.

Figure 6 illustrates an inspection elbow which constitutes another form of conduit accessory with which the invention is associated, the inspection elbow being designated generally by the reference numeral 70. The elbow 70 has two tubular segments 72 connected by a connector segment 74, the connector segment again defining an opening 76 which is blocked by a cover 78 that fits onto the connector segment 74, in a similar manner to that in which the cover 68 of the inspection T-piece 60 fits on the connector segment 64 thereof.

It will thus be appreciated that the principles associated with the sealing location of a cover on the body of a conduit accessory of the type herein envisaged, can be associated with many different conduit accessories of different configurations where it is required to sealingly block an opening defined by the body of the accessory, which opening permits access into a space defined within the body or inspection of the space defined within the body. In general, the covers of such accessories will be provided with a peripheral skirt formation that can fit into the opening to be blocked and slidably engage a complementary internal surface defined by a wall surrounding the opening. The said wall and the skirt formation also define complementary clipping formations that secure the location of the cover with respect to the body of the accessory and ensure an effective watertight seal between them. The invention extends also to all variations of accessories of the type herein envisaged and which incorporate the principles of the invention as hereinabove described and defined. One particular variation of an electrical accessory, in accordance with the invention, relates to the junction box configuration of the accessory as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings. With like parts being designated by the same reference numerals as before and with reference particularly to Figures 7 and 8 of the drawings, the junction box includes also a pair of engagement elements 80, the engagement elements 80 being frictionally located in their locations as shown via complementary dovetail-like locating formations, generally designated by the numeral 82, defined respectively by the body 12 of the junction box and the engagement elements 80. The engagement elements 80 each define also a shoulder formation 84 that, in the operative configuration of the elements 80 engage the body 12 as shown, thus providing for the slidable location of the engagement elements into their configuration as shown from the operative deepest end of the body 12, as is clearly apparent.

Each engagement element is formed of a synthetic plastics material, e.g. the same material as that used for the body 12, and has a brass bush 86 located therein that defines a threaded bore 88 therein, the open ends of the threaded bores being directed towards the open end of the body 12.

It will thus be understood that with the cover of the junction box removed and with the engagement elements 80 located as shown, the body 12 of the junction box can be used in a similar manner to conventional junction boxes to provide for mounting of a light fitting, or the like, on the body, specifically with the aid of securing screws that can engage a light fitting and screw into the threaded bores 88. Insofar as this use in association with light fittings is well known and similar to that associated with known junction boxes, this application of the body of a junction box is not described further herein. It will be understood that for this application a hole may be formed anywhere within the body for wiring to enter the internal space defined by the body, where it can be connected to wiring leading to the light(s) associated with the light fitting mounted on the body. Alternative type electrical fittings can be similarly associated with the body 12 of a junction box, as herein envisaged. It will be understood that different configuration engagement elements may be associated with a junction box, in accordance with the invention, particularly to fulfil different functions associated with fittings that can potentially be mounted on the body of the junction box, as herein envisaged.

Instead of separate engagement elements 80 providing for threaded bores 88, as described above, engagement formations defining threaded bores also may be integrally formed with the body to create the equivalent structure. Insofar as this is clearly apparent from Figures 7 and 8, this is not described further herein.

Claims

1. An electrical accessory including

a cover for the body that includes a peripheral skirt formation that fits slidably into the said opening to be disposed in sliding abutment with the said internal surface, the wall that defines the internal surface and the skirt formation of the cover defining complementary sealing formations, in the form of a peripheral rib-like formation, defined by one of the said wall that defines the internal surface and the skirt formation, and a complementary peripheral groove, defined by the other one of the said wall that defines the internal surface and the skirt formation, the rib-like formation releasably engaging the groove upon the location of the cover on the body and providing a water tight seal between the cover and the body in the engagement region.

2. An electrical accessory as claimed in Claim 1 , in which the body defines a shoulder formation around the said internal surface defined by the wall projecting into the internal space of the body around the opening defined thereby and the cover defines a matching abutment formation that abuts against the shoulder formation in the closure position of the cover on the body.

3. An electrical accessory as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, in which the body defines at least one hole in a wall thereof that surrounds the internal space defined by the body, which hole is positionable in line with an electrical conduit to permit electrical wiring passing through the conduit to enter the internal space via the said hole.

4. An electrical accessory as claimed in Claim 3, in which the hole is connectable in line with an electrical conduit to permit electrical wiring passing through the conduit to enter the internal space via the said hole.

5. An electrical accessory as claimed in Claim 4, which is in the form of a junction box and in which the internal space defined by the body is surrounded by a substantially cylindrical wall and the hole is defined in this cylindrical wall.

6. An electrical accessory as claimed in Claim 5, in which the substantially cylindrical wall defines a plurality of holes that permit electrical wiring to enter the internal space from different directions.

7. An electrical accessory as claimed in Claim 5 or Claim 6, in which the substantially cylindrical wall has a base wall at one end thereof, with the opening of the body being defined at the opposite end thereof, the base wall including at least one knock-out formation that is removable for forming an opening through which electrical wiring can enter the internal space.

8. An electrical accessory as claimed in any one of Claims 5 to 7, in which the body defines integrally therewith a pair of engagement formations, projecting towards one another from the substantially cylindrical wall in diametrically opposite locations within the body, the engagement formations each defining a threaded bore therein, the threaded bores being disposed parallel to the substantially cylindrical wall and being engageable by complementary screws to permit securing of a fitting, such as a light fitting, on the body, in use of the accessory and with the cover removed.

9. An electrical accessory as claimed in any one of Claims 5 to 7, which includes a pair of engagement elements and in which the body and the engagement elements define complementary locating formations, for locating the engagement elements in diametrically opposite locations within the body, and the engagement elements define threaded bores therein, the threaded bores being disposed parallel to the substantially cylindrical wall of the body when the elements are located within the body and being engageable by complementary screws to permit securing of a fitting, such as a light fitting, on the body, in use of the accessory and with the cover removed.

10. An electrical accessory as claimed in Claim 9, in which the complementary locating formations include complementary dovetail-like formations that permit the slidable location of the engagement elements within the body.

11. An electrical accessory as claimed in any one of Claims 3 to 6, in which, in respect of each hole defined in a wall of the body, the said wall has a tubular extension extending therefrom that provides for connection to an electrical conduit therewith, with the conduit disposed in communication with the internal space defined by the body via the hole.

12. An electrical accessory as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 4, which is in the form of an inspection piece and in which the body comprises at least two tubular segments that are connected by a connector segment where the opening is defined.

13. An electrical accessory as claimed in Claim 12, in which the angular configuration of the tubular segments with respect to one another determines the type of inspection piece and in which the inspection piece is one of an inspection T- piece, an inspection bend and an inspection elbow.

14. An electrical accessory as claimed in Claim 12 or Claim 13, in which the connector segment defines the opening and the wall that extends into the internal space that slidably receives the peripheral skirt formation of the cover of the accessory.

15. An electrical accessory as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the rib-like formation is defined by the said wall that defines the internal surface and the groove is defined within the skirt formation of the cover.

16. An electrical accessory as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the free edge of the wall defining the internal surface surrounding the opening defined by the body defines a recess formation that permits insertion of a screwdriver-like tool therein, for wedging between the said wall and the cover, permitting displacement of the cover by effective rotation of the screwdriver-like tool.

17. An electrical accessory as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the body and the cover are formed of a synthetic plastics material such as PVC.

18. An electrical accessory substantially as described in the specification with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.