Patent Application
20240263730
The present invention relates generally to installation and assembly of conduits, tubing, and like components in a building or other structure, including conduit sections frequently made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and suitable metallic materials, for housing wiring and like components in a building or other structure, and more particularly to an efficient method for joining a conduit section to conduit section positioned in a concrete slab of a structure.
In connection with typical construction projects for buildings and other structures, it is ordinarily necessary to provide assemblies of conduit for housing electrical wiring and associated components. Electrical conduit and related accessories may be made from a variety of materials such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC), thin wall metal, heavy wall metal, flexible tubing (MC cable and other types of flexible cable), as well as other materials known to those skilled in the art to durably and reliably house the electrical elements.
Couplings are generally used to connect tubing, such as electrical conduit, to various other forms of electrical tubing and support structures. In some applications, electrical conduit can be arranged to extend at least partially within a floor structure, such as a concrete slab. In the course of a typical installation, it may be necessary for electrical workers to provide conduit components which extend from within a concrete slab or like floor element for connection with other components positioned exteriorly of and above the concrete slab.
Bearing in mind that electrical wiring positioned within the conduit components must be threaded and directed through the various conduit components, it is desirable to provide an arrangement which facilitates efficient assembly of the components. Effecting such connections can be time-consuming, requiring that conduit sections be securely joined, while avoiding uneven surface on the interior of the conduit sections which could otherwise inhibit the smooth and efficient threading of wiring through the assembled conduit sections.
The present invention contemplates a method of assembling conduit sections which facilitates joining conduit sections to be positioned in concrete with a section positioned above the concrete slab. Notably, this desirably avoids the need to ream or otherwise modify the various conduit components to facilitate assembly.
In accordance with the present invention, a method of assembling conduits sections first comprises the step of providing a first conduit section, typically PVC, for positioning within an associated concrete slab, as typically found in connection with a building or like structure. To facilitate assembly of a conduit section to the section to be housed in concrete, the present method next includes providing a connector sleeve, sometimes referred to as a slip coupling, which is ordinarily also made from PVC. The connector sleeve is adhered with adhesive to the first conduit section so that the first conduit section extends upwardly within the connector sleeve.
The present method next contemplates depositing concrete about the first conduit section and the connector sleeve to a grade level generally at the same height as the top of the connector sleeve. The connector sleeve can be readily identified as a “circle” or “ring” at the grade level of the concrete. A removable plug, adhesive tape, or other cover can be provided on the top of the connector sleeve to close the interior while the concrete is poured.
Next, a coupling element having a lower polymeric section, typically PVC, and an upper section is provided. The coupling element may comprise an assembly, including an upper section which is metallic, or may be unitary with the upper section comprising polymeric material such as PVC.
The lower polymeric section of the coupling element is inserted into and adhered with adhesive to the connector sleeve, with the lower polymeric section extending downwardly within the connector sleeve. The components are assembled such that the coupling element projects above the deposited concrete.
Assembly of the conduit sections is completed by joining a second conduit section to the upper section of the coupling element, to thereby join the second conduit section positioned above the slab to the first conduit section positioned in the slab.
In the preferred practice of the invention, the connector sleeve includes an internal, annular shoulder. The first conduit section extends upwardly within the connector sleeve to abut a lower surface of the internal, annular shoulder. The lower polymeric section of the coupling element extends downwardly within the connector sleeve to abut an upper surface of the internal, annular shoulder.
For versatility of application, the upper metallic section of the coupling element comprises one of: (1) a galvanized rigid conduit; (2) a liquid-tite connector; and (3) a slip-flex coupling. The upper metallic section may be rigid or flexible, and may comprise aluminum, steel, or EMT (electric metallic tubing).
To facilitate threading of wiring through the assembled conduit sections, an inside diameter of the lower polymeric section of the coupling element preferably corresponds to an inside diameter of the first conduit section, with the internal shoulder of the connector sleeve also sized to avoid interfering with threading of wiring.
Other features and advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent from the following detailed description, the accompanying drawings, and the appended claims.
While the present invention is susceptible to embodiment in various forms, there is shown the drawings and will hereinafter be described presently preferred embodiments, with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the invention, and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments illustrated.
In accordance with the present invention, a method of assembling conduits sections first comprises the step of providing a first conduit section 10, typically PVC, to be positioned within an associated concrete slab C, as typically found in connection with a building or like structure.
To facilitate assembly of a conduit section to the conduit section to be housed in concrete, the present method next includes providing a connector sleeve 12, sometimes referred to as a slip coupling, which is ordinarily also made from PVC. The connector sleeve 12 in adhered with adhesive to the first conduit section 10 so that the first conduit section 10 extends upwardly within the connector sleeve.
The present method next contemplates depositing concrete about the first conduit section 10 and the connector sleeve 12 to a grade level generally at the same height as the top of the connector sleeve 12 (see
Next, as shown in
As shown further in
In the preferred practice of the invention, the connector sleeve 12 includes an internal, annular shoulder 13. The first conduit section 10 extends upwardly within the connector sleeve 12 to abut a lower surface of the internal, annular shoulder 13. The polymeric lower section of the coupling element 14 extends downwardly within the connector sleeve 12 to abut an upper surface of the internal, annular shoulder. For versatility of application, the upper section of the coupling element 14 can comprise a metallic section comprising one of: (1) a galvanized rigid conduit; (2) a liquid-tite connector; and (3) a slip-flex coupling.
The illustrated and described rotary press machine improves upon the prior art tablet presses by isolating the pressure roll assemblies in a separate and distinct machine frame from a detachable turret module comprising of a turret and the base on which it is supported to provide a faster, more configurable, and safer solution for the customer and eliminating the need to lift and remove a heavy turret unit and load it onto an ancillary cart. Sealing the module minimizes the operator's exposure to granulation dust particles and enables the module to be transferred to a cleaning room with less risk of cross contamination. Prior art presses incorporate mechanisms that attach to and drive the turret from beneath. Having a detachable module that incorporates the turret supporting base eliminates the requirement for an ancillary cart as well as the requirement to disconnect, move and/or remove press components and lift and load the compression unit and/or turret.
To facilitate threading of wiring through the assembled conduit sections, an inside diameter of the polymeric lower section 16 of the coupling element 14 preferably corresponds to an inside diameter of the first conduit section 10, with the internal shoulder 13 of the connector sleeve 12 also sized to avoid interfering with threading of wiring.
Advantages provided by the present invention will be readily apparent to those in the building trade. Reaming of components in ordinarily not required, and cost savings realized versus use of rigid nipple, and tape, and associated labor. Use of adhesive for joining components is efficient and secure. Components can be sized in a wide range of dimensions, such as from 0.5 to 6.0 inches. The present invention can be used in all aspects of construction, not just for repair applications.
The present invention finds widespread application for significant cost savings in installation, including use in waste water treatment plants, food processing plants, data centers, hospitals, stadiums, expo centers, light railways, military facilities, airports, and museums.
This application claims priority of Provisional Ser. No. 63/444,046 filed Feb. 8, 2023, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63444046 | Feb 2023 | US |
