Background Art Typically utility boxes used for surface mount and under-wall connection of electrical cables and conduits comprise moulded plastic boxes having knock-out plastic sections in the walls thereof, so as to allow cabling to pass therethrough.

Conduits are connected to a utility box using PVC glue, which is messy and toxic, and requires time to set. Additionally, if a glued joint has been incorrectly made, it must be broken in order to correct the mistake. Various solutions have been proposed to overcome the need for gluing the end of a conduit to a utility box. Typically these use either some kind of threaded ring to secure the conduit within a socket, or alternatively, require the end of the conduit to have some kind of mating engaging formation.

These disadvantages combine to render the connection of electrical cables and conduits an awkward and time consuming task.

It is accordingly an object of this invention to provide a system for connecting electrical cabling and conduits which seeks to overcome or at least minimize the above disadvantages.

Disclosure of the Invention According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a system for connecting electrical cabling including a conduit connector having a socket dimensioned so as to receive an end of a conduit therein, and being provided with locking means for locking the end of the conduit within the socket, the locking means being configured so as to allow the conduit to be pushed in to the socket freely, but preventing removal of the conduit.

The locking means may comprise a locking ring, movable between a normal orientation, normal to an axis of the socket, and an offset orientation, offset from the normal orientation.

The socket may be defined by an interior wall with a circumferential slot therein, the circumferential slot being narrower at a first side of the socket and widening towards an opposite, second side of the socket; with the locking ring being located within the circumferential slot, and capable of being angularly off set between the normal orientation and the offset orientation.

The circumferential slot may be defined between a perpendicular wall, normal to the axis, and an angled wall, at an acute angle to the axis. The circumferential slot and the locking ring may be provided with corresponding locating formations at the first side of the circumferential slot. The tubular collar may include therein an aperture proximate to the second side of the circumferential slot, allowing manipulation of the locking ring between its normal orientation and offset orientation by means of an implement, such as a screw driver.

Alternatively, the locking ring may be attached to the socket and located at the mouth of the socket. The locking ring may be resiliently biased towards the offset orientation, allowing the introduction of a conduit into the socket by displacement of the locking ring towards the normal orientation, but preventing removal of the conduit when in the offset orientation.

The connector may be configured so as to allow the release of the conduit from the socket by removal of the locking ring or by manipulating the ring towards its normal orientation without removing it.

Alternatively, the locking means may comprise at least one inwardly disposed, resilient barb, allowing the introduction of the conduit to the socket, but preventing its release.

In the simplest embodiment of the invention, the barb may be set into the interior wall of the socket, preferably during the moulding process.

Preferably, however, the barb may be located on a resilient retaining member attached to the socket. The retaining member may be attached to the exterior wall of the socket, and the wall of the socket may be provided with a cavity, through which the barb extends so as to engage the conduit.

The connector may be configured so as to allow the release of the conduit from the socket by removal of the retaining member.

Alternatively, the retaining member may be located internally within the socket, preferably within a recess in the inner wall of the socket.

The connector may include a sealing ring, locatable between the socket and the conduit, so as to seal a joint formed between the connector and the conduit.

The conduit connector may be configured to be used for conduits for electrical cabling, alternatively for plumbing pipe fittings.

The securing ring may be provided on its inner edge with a plurality of teeth, so as to assist in securing the conduit.

The system may include a box; having at least one wall with a slot therein; and a gate, configured to receive an end of an electrical cable therethrough, and shaped and dimensioned to be receivable within the slot, so as to allow the clip in connection of the electrical cable to the box.

The box may be moulded in a plastic material. The slot may be substantially U- shaped, having an open upper end and two substantially parallel edges terminating in a radiused lower end.

The gate may have an outline corresponding to the shape of the slot. The slot and the gate may be provided with corresponding engaging formations so as to facilitate the securing of the gate within the slot.

The gate may have an aperture therein, allowing the passage of an electrical cable therethrough. The gate may be provided with a connecting formation, in the form of one of a cable connector and a conduit connector. Alternatively, should the gate not be required to hold a cable or a conduit, the gate may have no aperture therein. As a further alternative, the gate may be configured to hold a plurality of connecting formations.

The box may include connecting formations for connecting a lid thereto. The box may include at least one attachment point for attaching a connector block or a busbar thereto. The box may include a knock out panel on the bottom side thereof, for through- wall or-panel connections.

The box may be provided with a cover. The term"cover", for the purposes of this specification, includes both a lid, for use in surface mount applications, and a cover plate, for under-wall mounted applications.

The cover may include adjusting means, for adjusting the height of the cover.

The cover and box may be configured to allow the cover to be attached to the box by a slide-or snap-fit. The box may be provided with at least one slot and the cover with at least one corresponding locating post, configured to be received within the slot, the post being further provided with a rotatable spigot, having protruding teeth on a side thereof, configured to engage an interior wall of the slot, so as to provide the adjusting means and locking means for locking the cover to the box.

The box may be provided with a mounting bracket for under-wall mounting of the box. The mounting bracket may be configured to clip onto a corner of the box.

The system may include a cable connector for an insulated electrical cable, comprising a tubular housing, an annular push-in member and a resilient, radially- toothed grab washer; the tubular housing having an interior diameter dimensioned to receive an end of the insulated electrical cable therein; the annular push-in member being partially received within the tubular housing, having an inner end located within the tubular housing and an outer end protruding from the tubular housing, and being movable between an inner limit and an outer limit ; and the grab washer being located within the tubular housing and being provided at an inner edge thereof with a plurality of radially inwardly disposed teeth and abutting the inner end of the annular push-in member and biasing the annular push-in member towards its outer limit. The cable connector is configured such that by displacing the push-in member towards its inner limit, the teeth are inwardly displaced to allow the release of the electrical cable.

The outer limit of the annular push-in member may be positioned such as that the teeth are provided with a small over-centre allowance, to facilitate locking the teeth into the cable. The cable connector may be integral with a gate as defined above.

The system may include a snap-fit connector for connecting a conduit or cable to an electrical utility box. The snap-fit connector is configured to clip into a hole in the box, provided by a knock-out section in the box. The snap-fit connector comprises a tubular outer ring, having at an end thereof a plurality of teeth, extending longitudinally c-axially to a tubular axis and having outwardly protruding barbs, and a tubular inner ring, with a portion proximate to an end thereof having a reduced diameter configured to be receivable through the outer ring, the end being provided with a pair of opposed inwardly displaceable jaws, so as to facilitate the reversible locking of the snap-fit connector to the box.

The snap-fit connector may be provided with one of a cable connector and a conduit connector as defined above.

Alternatively, the snap-fit connector may be used as a fastening mechanism for other electrical and non-electrical applications.

The system may include a mounting bracket for an electrical fitting, such as a light switch or a socket, the bracket comprising a cross piece, and at least one leg, the cross piece being configured to receive a mounting screw for mounting a standard electrical fitting thereon, and the leg being configured to be received within a slot within a box according to the invention.

Brief Description of the Drawings The invention will now be described by way of non-limiting example only with reference to the following figures wherein: Figure 1 is a exploded perspective view of a box in accordance with the invention; Figure 2 is a top view of the box shown in figure 1; Figure 3 is a side view of the box shown in figure 1; Figure 4 is a side view of a cover in accordance with the invention; Figure 5 is a view from below of the cover shown in figure 4; Figure 6 is a perspective view of a mounting bracket in accordance with the invention; Figure 7 is a front view of a conduit connector and gate arrangement in accordance with the invention; Figure 8 is a cross-sectional side view of the conduit connector and gate arrangement shown in figure 4; Figure 9 is a cross-sectional side view of a conduit connector in accordance with an alternative, second embodiment of the invention; Figure 10 is an end view of the conduit connector shown in figure 9; Figure 11 is a cross-sectional side view of a conduit connector in accordance with an alternative, third embodiment of the invention; Figure 12 is a side view of a conduit connector in accordance with an alternative, fourth embodiment of the invention; Figure 13 is an end view of the conduit connector shown in figure 12; Figure 14 is a side view of a conduit connector in accordance with an alternative, fifth embodiment of the invention; Figure 15 is a cross-sectional end view of the conduit connector shown in figure 14; Figure 16 is a cross-sectional side view of a conduit connector in accordance with an alternative, sixth embodiment of the invention; Figure 17 is a view of a cable connector and gate arrangement in accordance with the invention; Figure 18 is a cross-sectional side view of the table connector and gate arrangement shown in figure 6; Figure 19 is a front view of a grab washer in accordance with the invention; Figure 20 shows a top view and a cross sectional side view of an outer ring of a snap-fit connector in accordance with the invention; Figure 21 shows a top view and a cross sectional side view of an inner ring of a snap-fit connector in accordance with the invention; Figure 22 is a cross-sectional side view of an assembled snap-fit connector in accordance with the invention; Modes of Carrying out the Invention A system (1) in accordance with the invention for connecting electrical cabling includes a box (2); having walls (3) with slots (4) therein, as shown in figures 1-3. Also provided, are gates (5), configured to receive an end of an electrical cable (6) therethrough, and shaped and dimensioned to be receivable within the slots (4), so as to allow the clip in connection of electrical cables (6) to the box (2).

The box (2) is moulded in a plastic material. The slots (4) are U-shaped, having an open upper end (4.1), and two substantially parallel edges (4.2) terminating in a radiused lower end (4.3).

The gates have an outline corresponding to the shape of the slots (4). The slot (4) and the gates (7) are provided with corresponding engaging formations (8), so as to facilitate the securing of the gates (7) within the slot (4).

The gates (7) have an aperture therein, allowing the passage of an electrical cable (6) therethrough. The gates (7) are provided with connecting formations, such as cable connectors or conduit connectors.

Should a gate not be required to hold a cable or a conduit, the gate may have no aperture therein. It is also foreseen by the applicant that in certain circumstances it may be desirable to provide a gate having a plurality of connecting formations.

The box (2) is provided with a cover (70), as shown in figures 4 and 5.

The cover (70) and box (2) are configured to allow the cover to be attached to the box by a slide-or snap-fit, The box (2) is provided with slots (9) and the cover with corresponding locating posts (11), configured to be received within the slots (9). The posts (11) are provided with rotatable spigots (12), each having protruding teeth on a side thereof, configured to engage an interior wall of the slot (9), so as to provide adjusting means for adjusting the height of the cover, and locking means for locking the cover to the box.

The box is provided with a mounting bracket (80), as shown in figure 6, for under- wall mounting of the box (2). The mounting bracket (80) is configured to clip onto a corner of the box (2).

The system includes a conduit connector. In each of the embodiments shown in figures 8 to 16 the conduit connector includes a socket having an interior wall and an exterior wall. The conduit connector is provided with locking means for locking the end of the conduit within the socket. A conduit connector in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention, as shown in figures 7 and 8 comprises a tubular collar (41) including a socket (42) dimensioned to receive an end of a conduit therein. The socket (42) is defined by an interior wall (44) with a circumferential slot (45) therein.

The circumferential slot (45) is narrower at a first side (46) of the socket (45) and wider towards an opposite, second side (47) of the socket. A locking ring (48), is located within the circumferential slot (45). The locking ring (48) is capable of being angularly off-set between a second position, normal to a longitudinal axis of the tube, and an off- set position, at an acute angle to the axis. Preferably, the locking ring is biased towards the offset position. Although not shown in this illustrated embodiment, the locking ring may be provided on its inner edge with a plurality of teeth, so as to assist in the securing of the conduit.

The circumferential slot (45) is defined between a perpendicular wall (49), normal to the axis, and an angled wall (50), at an angle to the axis. The circumferential slot (45) and securing ring (48) are provided with corresponding locating formations at the first side of the circumferential slot (45). The tubular collar (41) includes therein an aperture (53) proximate to the second side of the circumferential slot (45), allowing manipulation of the securing ring (48) between its first position and second position by means of an implement, such as a screw driver (not shown). The conduit connector (48) is integral with a gate (7).

In an alternative, second embodiment of the conduit connector, as shown in figures 9 and 10, the socket (101) is provided with a locking ring (102). The locking ring (102) is secured to the socket by a carrier lug (103) on the lower side of the ring (102) that mounts into a receiving slot (104) on the lower receiving end of the socket (101).

The locking ring (102) is biased outwardly to an offset orientation, as shown in figure 9, so that as the conduit is inserted into the socket (101) the ring (102) is sprung inward, perpendicular to the conduit, allowing it to pass through. Being outwardly biased, the locking ring (102) returns towards the offset orientation, locking the conduit within the socket. The more force used to attempt to extract the conduit, the tighter the ring (102) will lock against the surface of the conduit, making extraction virtually impossible.

If required, release of the conduit from the socket (101) can easily be effected by pushing in the upper outside tilting end of the locking ring (102) inwards towards the socket until it attains its perpendicular position, thus allowing the conduit to be withdrawn. An angled shield for the securing ring is moulded around outer edge of the socket (105) to prevent any interference with the operation of the locking ring (102) and to prevent accidental release of the conduit.

In an alternative, third embodiment, as shown in figure 11, the conduit connector (201) includes locking means in the form of an inwardly disposed resilient barb (202), allowing the introduction of the conduit into the socket (203), but preventing its release.

The barb (202) is embedded into the interior wall (203.1) of the socket during manufacture. The interior wall (203.1) is provided with a recess (204), so as to allow the barb (202) to flex inwardly upon introduction of the conduit.

In a further alternative, third embodiment, as shown in figures 12 and 13, one or more barbed spring clips (301) are attached to a receiving slot (302) on the top of the socket (304) with the barbs (303) directed inwards. As the conduit is pushed into the socket (304), the barb (303) is pushed closed allowing the conduit to pass through until fully inserted. Any outward movement of the conduit is then prevented by the jamming action of the barb (303) pushing into the surface of the conduit.

To withdraw the conduit, the securing lip (305) of the spring clip (301) is prized upwards from the receiving slot end on top of the socket, allowing the clip (301) to be withdrawn with the conduit. Refitting the spring clip (301) into the receiving slot on the socket would then allow the conduit connector to be reused.

In an alternative, fourth embodiment, as shown in figures 14 and 15, one or more barbs (400) are positioned on the apex of a semi-circular spring clip (401) or clips that are pressed over the socket wall. The securing barb/s (400) project through rectangular apertures (402) in the socket wall and two lugs (403) on the ends of the spring clip/s (401) locate into receiving slots on the side of the socket wall securing the clip/s to the socket.

As the conduit is pushed into the socket (404), the barb or barbs are pushed closed allowing the conduit to pass through until fully inserted. Any outward movement of the conduit is then prevented by the jamming action of the barb/s (400) pushing into the surface of the conduit.

To withdraw the conduit, either side of the spring clip (401) can be prized outwards from its receiving slot on the side of the socket, causing the barb/s to be removed from contact with the conduit. Refitting the spring clip (401) onto the socket would then allow reuse of the conduit connector.

In a fifth embodiment, as shown in figure 16, a barbed spring ring (500) is mounted in a recess (501) in the interior wall (502) of the socket. As the conduit is inserted, the barbs (503) are pushed closed allowing the conduit to pass through. Any outward movement of the conduit would be prevented by the jamming action of the barbs (503) pushing into the surface of the conduit.

In all the above cases, the receiving socket could be slightly internally tapered for the last 5mm or so in order to wedge the conduit end against the wall more firmly to achieve water-proofing of the joint. Water-proofing could also be improved by including one or more o-rings in the joint between the conduit and the connector.

The system also includes a cable connector (60), for a flexible, insulated electrical cable, as shown in figures 17 and 19, comprises a tubular housing (61), an annular push-in member (62) and a resilient, radially toothed grab washer (63) (also shown in figure 8). The tubular housing (61) has an interior diameter dimensioned to receive an end of the insulated electrical cable therein. The annular push-in member (62) is partially received within the tubular housing (61), and has an inner end (64) located within the tubular housing and an outer end (65) protruding from the tubular housing. The annular push-in member (62) is movable between an inner limit and an outer limit. The grab washer (63) is located within the tubular housing and is provided at an inner edge thereof with a plurality of radially inwardly disposed teeth (66). The inner end of the annular push-in member abuts the teeth (66). As a result of the resilience of the grab washer (63), the annular push-in member is biased towards its outer limit. Displacing the push-in member (62) towards its inner limit displaces the teeth inwardly to allow the release of the electrical cable. The outer limit of the annular push-in member (62) is positioned such that the teeth (66) are provided with a small over-centre allowance, to facilitate locking the teeth into the cable.

The cable connector is integral with a gate (7).

A snap-fit connector (90), as shown in figures 20 to 22, is also provided for connecting a conduit or cable to the box (2). The snap-fit connector (90) is configured to clip into a hole in the box, provided by a knock-out section (not shown) in the box.

The snap-fit connector (90) comprises a tubular outer ring (91), having at an end thereof a plurality of teeth (92), extending longitudinally c-axially to a tubular axis and having outwardly protruding barbs (93), and a tubular inner ring (94), with a portion (95) proximate to an end thereof having a reduced diameter configured to be receivable through the outer ring (91), the end being provided with a pair of opposed inwardly displaceable jaws (96), so as to facilitate the reversible locking of the snap-fit connector (90) to the box (2).

The snap-fit connector (90) may be provided with a cable connector or a conduit connector, may be used as a fastening mechanism for other electrical and non-electrical applications.

The applicant also foresees that the system could include a mounting bracket (not shown) for mounting an electrical fitting, such as a light switch or a socket, to the box. The bracket comprises a cross piece, and a pair of legs, the cross piece being configured to receive a mounting screw for mounting a standard electrical fitting thereon, and the legs being configured to be received within slots within the box.

The applicant foresees that the bulk of the components of the system described above could be moulded in a plastic material. As it is not required that the components be glued together, the plastic material need not be PVC, and could be a more readily recyclable plastic.

Numerous additional features may be added, such as sockets and switches, and will be appreciated that many variations in the features and configuration of the system are possible without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in this specification.