The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jun. 29, 1999
Filed:
Jul. 18, 1997
Gregory C Marik, Germantown, TN (US);
Claude J Bauer, Greenbrier, TN (US);
Thomas & Betts International, Inc., Sparks, NV (US);
Abstract
A one piece integrally formed liquid tight connection or 'whip' assembly for electrically interconnecting electrical appliances, such as air conditioning units, hot tubs, swimming pools and outdoor lighting fixtures, to one another and/or to a power source junction box or control box. The connection assembly includes a flexible tubular conduit, preferably constructed from a composite of full rigid PVC and flexible plasticized PVC, having first and second end portions and an outer surface with a plurality of surface irregularities. A pair of end fittings are integrally attached to the first and second end portions of the tubular conduit, respectively, using either a solvent welding or temperature welding technique. When using the solvent technique, the plurality of surface irregularities operate to hold additional localized amounts of solvent which further reacts with the plastic in the end fittings and conduit to yield a superior weld. Each of end fitting also includes an external annular seal ring for engaging the electrical devices. A plurality of conductors extend through the tubular conduit and end fittings which provide electrical communication between the electrical devices.