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:
Nov. 19, 2002
Filed:
Sep. 06, 2000
Carol A. Howard, Oxford, CT (US);
David L. Lutz, Woodbridge, CT (US);
Lawrence Turner, Seymour, CT (US);
Hubbell Incorporated, Orange, CT (US);
Abstract
A self-adjusting end cap for capping an object having an opening. The end cap includes a base that has an inner and an outer surface, at least one post connected to the base inner surface, and at least one rib extending outwardly from the post. The rib is adapted to fit in a channel in an opening of an object to be capped. When the end cap and object are aligned for connection, the rib extends beyond an inner wall of the channel. A portion of the rib is sheared off by the inner wall of the channel upon insertion of the post and rib in the channel, thereby positioning the end cap within the object. The posts in combination with the ribs create a precise and tight friction fit between the end cap and the object. Preferably, the end cap has two posts, each with a rib extending outwardly therefrom, and the object has two channels, each having an inner wall. The outer edges of the ribs are separated by a first distance, and the channels are separated by a second distance. The first distance is preferably greater than the second distance. Then, upon insertion of the end cap into the object, the extra width on the ribs is sheared off by the inner walls of the channels, thereby positioning the end cap within the object.