Conduit End with Demarcation FIELD

[Para 1] This disclosure relates to conduits and, more specifically, to coated electrical conduits.

BACKGROUND

[Para 2] Conduit and electrical conduit are tubing systems used to protect and route wiring, electrical wiring, communications wiring, and the like. Conduit may be made of metal (including iron, steel, galvanized steel, stainless steel, aluminum, bronze, and brass), plastic polymer, fiber, fired clay, and composite materials. Types of conduit include rigid metal conduit, galvanized rigid conduit, intermediate metal conduit, electrical metallic tubing, aluminum conduit, rigid nonmetallic conduit, electrical nonmetallic tubing, flexible metallic conduit, liquid- tight flexible metal conduit, flexible metallic tubing, and liquid-tight flexible nonmetallic conduit.

[Para 3] By way of example, conduit may comprise a metal core which is coated (potentially on both interior and exterior sides) with a corrosion resistant material, such as zinc or polyurethane. Such corrosion resistant material shall be referred to herein as "thin protective coat". A protective layer, such as polyvinyl chloride ("PVC") or another plastic or a polymer, may be applied to the exterior of the conduit, such as by coating the metal core (which may have also received a thin protective coat) in PVC. This protective layer is referred to herein as "external coating". A conduit with an external coating is referred to herein as "coated conduit".

[Para 4] Conduit may be unthreaded or threaded. A typical piece of threaded conduit comprises at least one male threaded end, which male threaded end is suitable to be screwed into a female threaded conduit fitting or box connector.

[Para 5] As used herein, "conduit fitting" shall be used to refer to "couplings", "conduit bodies", and "box connectors". Couplings join two pieces of conduit together via threaded or slip connectors, into which the conduit screws or is otherwise inserted and secured. Conduit bodies join two or more pieces of conduit together via threaded or slip connectors and have an access cover to allow access to the interior of the conduit body. The access cover may be disconnected from the conduit body to expose a cavity and allow wiring or the like to be pulled through conduit which is secured to at least one side of the conduit body. When the wiring is pulled through, the access cover may then being re-connected to the conduit body to cover the cavity. Types of conduit bodies include L-shaped bodies (also referred to as "Ells"), T-shaped bodies ("Tees"), C-shaped bodies ("Cees"), and Service Ell bodies ("SLBs"). Box connectors are structures used to secure conduit to a junction box or other electrical box via a threaded connection or a compression fitting (which may be part of the box connector or may involve additional components). In the case of conduit fittings with threaded connectors, the threaded connector is typically a female receptacle which receives the male threaded conduit end.

[Para 6] As with conduits, conduit fittings may be coated in PVC or another plastic polymer external coating. Conduit fittings with an external coating shall be referred to herein as "coated conduit fittings". A coated conduit fitting may comprise a sleeve at the location of the female threaded receptacle in the fitting; conduit, generally coated conduit, fits into the sleeve and may be screwed into or otherwise may be secured to the female receptacle in the coated conduit fitting. The sleeve of a coated conduit fitting generally accommodates the conduit with a tight fit which may require expansion of the sleeve. When external coating is applied to a conduit, the external coating is often applied by a party other than the party who manufactured the conduit. When external coating is applied to a conduit, markings, if any, on the conduit are frequently covered by the external coating.

[Para 7] As used herein, a "conduit system" comprises at least one conduit and at least one conduit fitting.

[Para 8] Electrical conduit systems are often installed by electricians, service professionals, and construction laborers. The installation is often in difficult to access areas of structures, attics, drop ceilings, false floors, crawl spaces, concrete structures (in which the conduit may be embedded), beams, or in underground locations such as duct banks, utility tunnels, or trenches in the ground. The conduit is often left in place for years and is subject to moisture, corrosive environmental conditions, decay and movement of the surrounding building or environment, plant and animal life, and other disturbances. For these reasons and because the conduit may protect critical infrastructure, care should be taken when conduit is installed.

[Para 9] Commonly, and particularly for electrical conduit systems, the conduit system must be inspected by parties such as engineers and building or construction inspectors; inspectors may have professional or governmental obligations to perform a careful inspection and to note deficiencies relative to required or desired objectives. An element in such inspections may be whether, in a conduit system, conduit has been adequately secured into conduit fittings. In the case of coated conduit fittings, the sleeve may obscure the connection site, making it difficult or impossible to tell whether the conduit has been completely screwed or inserted into the conduit fitting. In addition, the cramped, awkward, and often inaccessible or not easily viewed location of the conduit system may further make it difficult to inspect the conduit system.

[Para 10] Disclosed is a coated conduit end with a perceivable demarcation which quickly and reliably indicates how far conduit is screwed or inserted into a coated conduit fitting to form a conduit system.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[Para 11] Figure 1A is a side elevation view of a coated conduit with a demarcation.

[Para 12] Figure IB is a side elevation view of the coated conduit and demarcation of Figure 1A with a section cut along the centerline of the conduit.

[Para 13] Figure 1C is an isometric perspective view of a coated conduit with a demarcation.

[Para 14] Figure 2A is a side elevation view of the coated conduit and demarcation of Figure 1A, wherein the coated conduit is secured to a coated conduit fitting.

[Para 15] Figure 2B is a side elevation view of the coated conduit, demarcation, and coated conduit fitting of Figure 2A, with a section cut along the centerline of the coated conduit and conduit fitting.

[Para 16] Figure 2C is a side elevation view of the conduit fitting of Figure 2A, with a section cut along the centerline of the coated conduit fitting to illustrate the sleeves in the coated conduit fitting.

[Para 17] Figure 2D is an isometric perspective view of the coated conduit and demarcation of

Figure 1C, wherein the coated conduit is secured to a coated conduit fitting.

[Para 18] Figure 3A is a side elevation view of a curved coated conduit with a demarcation.

[Para 19] Figure 3B is a side elevation view of the curved coated conduit and demarcation of

Figure 3A, with a section cut along the centerline of the curved coated conduit.

[Para 20] Figure 4A is a side elevation view of the curved coated conduit and demarcation of

Figure 3A, wherein the curved coated conduit is secured to a coated conduit fitting. [Para 21] Figure 4B is a side elevation view of the curved coated conduit, demarcation, and coated conduit fitting of Figure 4A, with a section cut along the centerline of the conduit and coated conduit fitting.

[Para 22] Figure 5A is a side elevation view of a coated conduit with demarcations, wherein the coated conduit is secured to another example of a coated conduit fitting.

[Para 23] Figure 5B is a side elevation view of the coated conduit with demarcations of Figure 5A, without the coated conduit fitting to illustrate how the sleeve of the coated conduit fitting interacts with the demarcations.

[Para 24] Figure 6 A is a side elevation view of a curved coated conduit with demarcations, wherein the curved coated conduit is secured to another example of a coated conduit fitting.

[Para 25] Figure 6B is a side elevation view of the curved coated conduit and demarcations of Figure 6A, without the coated conduit fitting to illustrate how the sleeve of the coated conduit fitting interacts with the demarcations.

[Para 26] Figure 7A is an perspective view of a conduit with an example of demarcations created through use of labels.

[Para 27] Figure 7B is an perspective view of the conduit and demarcations of Figure 7A, further comprising two coated conduit fittings to illustrate how the coated conduit fittings interact with the demarcations.

[Para 28] Figure 8A is a side elevation view of a straight coated conduit and a curved coated conduit, both with demarcations, illustrating the coated conduit end which is common to both the straight and curved coated conduits.

[Para 29] Figure 8B is a close side elevation view of the coated conduit end and demarcation of Figure 8A.

[Para 30] Figure 9 is a close isometric parallel projection view of a coated conduit end with a section cut along the centerline of the coated conduit end.

[Para 31] Figure 10 is a close side elevation view of a coated conduit end, illustrating another example of a demarcation.

[Para 32] Figure 11A is a close side elevation view of a coated conduit end, illustrating another example of a demarcation.

[Para 33] Figure 1 IB is a close side elevation view of the coated conduit end of Figure 11 A, with a section cut along the centerline of the coated conduit end. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[Para 34] The description of the drawings and the following detailed description refer to the accompanying drawings. The same element number in different drawing figures generally identifies the same or similar elements and/or components. Element numbers followed by an "A" or "B" identify substantially similar components (including components which are mirror images of one another), within conventional manufacturing tolerances; when written without the "A" or "B," the element number shall refer to either such component. If the drawings are viewed one entire page at a time, and if the pages are flipped up or down one entire page at a time, then certain of the Figures are arranged to show components come and go with the page change.

[Para 35] This Detailed Description section provides specific details for an understanding of various examples of the technology. One skilled in the art will understand that the technology may be practiced without many of these details. In some instances, structures and functions have not been shown or described in detail or at all to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the description of the examples of the technology. It is intended that the terminology used in the description presented below be interpreted in its broadest reasonable manner, even though it is being used in conjunction with a detailed description of certain examples of the technology. Although certain terms may be emphasized below, any terminology intended to be interpreted in any restricted manner will be overtly and specifically defined as such in this Detailed Description section.

[Para 36] As used herein, "releasable," "connect," "connected," "connectable," "disconnect," "disconnected," and "disconnectable" refers to two or more structures which may be connected or disconnected, generally without the use of tools (examples of tools including screwdrivers, pliers, drills, saws, welding machines, torches, irons, and other heat sources) and generally in a repeatable manner. As used herein, "attach," "attached," or "attachable" refers to two or more structures or components which are attached through the use of tools or chemical or physical bonding. As used herein, "secure," "secured," or "securable" refers to two or more structures or components which are either connected or attached.

[Para 37] Referring to Figure 1A, Coated Conduit 100 comprises Threaded Male Portions 120A and 120B. Areas of Coated Conduit 100 which are not threaded are coated with an external coating which may be, for example, PVC or another polymer. Diagonal lines in Sleeve Covered Areas 105A and 105B indicate a perceivable demarcation relative to Non-Sleeve Covered Area 115. The perceivable demarcation may be provided by, for example, different colors or materials applied to or present in the external coating. For example, Sleeve Covered Areas 105A and 105B may be a first color, while Non-Sleeve Covered Area 115 is a second color. The perceivable demarcation may be a tactile difference, as may be produced by different materials or a relief pattern in the external coating. A tactile difference may aid in identification of the perceivable demarcation when visual inspection is not possible. An example of a tactile difference is illustrated in Figures 11A and 11B.

[Para 38] Figure IB illustrates Coated Conduit 100 with a section cut along the centerline of Coated Conduit 100. Relative to Figure 1A, Figure IB further illustrates Core 130 within Coated Conduit 100.

[Para 39] Figure 2A illustrates Coated Conduit and Coated Conduit Fitting 200. In Figure 2A, Coated Conduit 100 is secured in Coated Conduit Fitting 135. Coated Conduit Fitting 135 comprises Sleeves 130A and 130B. Sleeve 130B covers Sleeve Covered Area 105A, as may be observed by flipping between Drawing Sheet 1 and 2. Sleeve Covered Area 105B and Threaded Male Portion 120B are labeled in Figure 2A for the sake of clarity.

[Para 40] Figure 2B illustrates Coated Conduit and Coated Conduit Fitting 200, with a section cut along the centerline of Coated Conduit 100 and Coated Conduit Fitting 135. Figure 2B further illustrates how Coated Conduit 100 may be screwed into Coated Conduit Fitting 135 and how Sleeve 130B covers Sleeve Covered Area 105A.

[Para 41] Figure 2C is a side elevation view of Coated Conduit Fitting 135, with a section cut along the centerline of Coated Conduit Fitting 135 to illustrate Sleeves 130A and 130B without Coated Conduit 100.

[Para 42] Figure 1C is an isometric perspective view of Coated Conduit 100, provided for the sake of illustrating the 3-dimensional shape of Coated Conduit 100.

[Para 43] Figure 2D is an isometric perspective view of Coated Conduit 100 and Coated Conduit Fitting 135, provided for the sake of illustrating the 3-dimensional shape of Coated Conduit 100 and Coated Conduit Fitting 135.

[Para 44] Figure 3A is a side elevation view of Curved Coated Conduit 300. As with Coated Conduit 100, Curved Coated Conduit 300 comprises Threaded Male Portions 320A and 320B. Areas of Curved Coated Conduit 300 which are not threaded are coated with an external coating. Diagonal lines in Sleeve Covered Areas 305A and 305B indicate a perceivable demarcation relative to Non-Sleeve Covered Area 315, similar to the perceivable demarcation illustrated in Figure 1.

[Para 45] Figure 3B is a side elevation view of Curved Coated Conduit 300, with a section cut along the centerline of Curved Coated Conduit 300. Relative to Figure 3A, Figure 3B further illustrates Core 330 within Curved Coated Conduit 300.

[Para 46] Figure 4A illustrates Curved Coated Conduit 300 secured in Coated Conduit Fitting 135. As in earlier Figures, Coated Conduit Fitting 135 comprises Sleeves 130A and 130B. Sleeve 130B covers Sleeve Covered Area 305 A, as may be observed by flipping between Drawing Sheet 4 and 5.

[Para 47] Figure 4B illustrates Curved Coated Conduit 300 secured in Coated Conduit Fitting

135, with a section cut along the centerline of Curved Coated Conduit 300 and Coated Conduit

Fitting 135. Figure 4B further illustrates how Curved Coated Conduit 300 may be screwed into

Coated Conduit Fitting 135 and how Sleeve 130B covers Sleeve Covered Area 305A.

[Para 48] Figure 5A is a side elevation view of Coated Conduit 100, wherein Coated Conduit

100 is secured to another example of coated conduit fitting, Conduit Body 500.

[Para 49] Figure 5B is a side elevation view of Coated Conduit 100, without Conduit Body 500 to illustrate how the sleeve of Conduit Body 500 interacts with the demarcations of Coated

Conduit 100.

[Para 50] Figure 6A is a side elevation view of Curved Coated Conduit 300, wherein Curved Coated Conduit 300 is secured to Conduit Body 500.

[Para 51] Figure 6B is a side elevation view of Curved Coated Conduit 300, without Conduit Body 500 to illustrate how the sleeve of Conduit Body 500 interacts with the demarcations of Curved Coated Conduit 300.

[Para 52] Figure 7A is a perspective view of Conduit 700 with an example of demarcations created through use of Labels 705 A and 705B, which Labels 705 may be applied to an underlying conduit. Labels 705 demarcate a portion of Conduit 700, Sleeve Covered Portion 715A and 715B, which may be covered by a sleeve of a conduit fitting. Label 705 may indicate conformance to a private or public regulatory standard or testing to a certified level, as, for example, may be performed by a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory, such as Underwriters Laboratories or the like. [Para 53] Figure 7B is a perspective view of Conduit 700 secured to Coated Conduit Fittings 710A and 710B, illustrating how Sleeve Covered Portions 715A and 715B are covered by the sleeves of Coated Fittings 710A and 710B when Conduit 700 is properly secured to Coated Conduit Fittings 710A and 710B.

[Para 54] Figure 8A is a side elevation view of Straight Coated Conduit 100 and Curved Coated Conduit 400. Straight Coated Conduit 100 comprises Coated Conduit Ends 810A and 810B and Central Portion 815, which in this instance is straight. Curved Coated Conduit 400 comprises Coated Conduit Ends 8 IOC and 810D and Central Portion 820, which in this instance is curved. Coated Conduit Ends 810 comprise a demarcation, as discussed above, between an area of Coated Conduit End 810 which is covered by a coated conduit fitting sleeve and an area of Coated Conduit End 810 which is not covered by a coated conduit fitting sleeve. Lines 830, 835 and 840 indicate where Coated Conduit End 810 begins relative to the remainder of the Coated Conduit. As illustrated in Figure 8 A, Central Portion 815 and 820 may be curved or straight or may comprise another geometry; in any case Coated Conduit Ends 810 are consistent, with the bend radius of Central Portion 820 of Curved Coated Conduit 400 beginning after the ends of Conduit Ends 8 IOC and 810D.

[Para 55] Figure 8B is a close side elevation view of Coated Conduit End 810. The thickness of external coating is indicated at External Coating 845.

[Para 56] Figure 9 is a close isometric perspective view of Coated Conduit 100 with a section cut along the centerline, illustrating the 3-dimensional structure of Coated Conduit 100.

[Para 57] Figure 10 is a close side elevation view of Coated Conduit End 1000, illustrating an example of a demarcation, in this instance, Circumferential Line 1005. Circumferential Line 1005 indicates the portion of Coated Conduit End 1000 which is to be covered by a coating fitting sleeve.

[Para 58] Figure 11A is a close side elevation view of Coated Conduit End 1100, illustrating another example of a demarcation, in this instance, Raised Circumference 1105. Raised Circumference 1105 indicates the portion of Coated Conduit End 1100 which is to be covered by a coating fitting sleeve.

[Para 59] Figure 1 IB is a close side elevation view of Coated Conduit End 1100, with a section cut along the centerline of Coated Conduit End 1100. Relative to Figure 11 A, Figure 11B illustrates that Raised Circumference 1105 may be created by a wire, thread, cord, O-ring, O-ring compression clamp, or the like at Tactile Structure 1110, which may be positioned at the demarcation and then coated with external coating. In the alternative, the wire, thread, cord, O- ring, a whole or broken O-ring compression clamp, or the like, generally in the same location as Tactile Structure 1110, may be on the exterior of the conduit rather than, as illustrated in Figure 1 IB, beneath exterior coating.

[Para 60] Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims, the words "comprise," "comprising," and the like are to be construed in an inclusive sense, as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in the sense of "including, but not limited to." As used herein, the term "connected," "coupled," or any variant thereof means any connection or coupling, either direct or indirect between two or more elements; the coupling of connection between the elements can be physical, logical, or a combination thereof. Additionally, the words, "herein," "above," "below," and words of similar import, when used in this application, shall refer to this application as a whole and not to particular portions of this application. When the context permits, words in the description using the singular may also include the plural while words using the plural may also include the singular. The word "or," in reference to a list of two or more items, covers all of the following interpretations of the word: any of the items in the list, all of the items in the list, and any combination of one or more of the items in the list.

[Para 61] The above detailed description of embodiments is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure to the precise form disclosed above. While specific embodiments of and examples for conduit end are described above for illustrative purposes, various equivalent modifications are possible within the scope of the system, as those skilled in the art will recognize.