Abstract
A conduit system for protection of wiring or tubing comprising a tubular shaped conduit with latch system designed to allow insertion of electrical wiring without disconnection of the wiring or without threading the wiring through the conduit. The latch system is comprised of an internal latch, external latch or both and is formed to such that the conduit maintains its structural integrity while facilitating full and easy access to the electrical wiring contained within.
Claims
1. A conduit and latch system comprising a conduit of a substantially circular cross section, said conduit being axially elongated and characterized by an axial slit along the length of said duct whereby two conduit wall edges are formed and whereby said duct may be resiliently opened along the length thereof to permit the introduction of cables, pipes, wires and the like, and said conduit being formed to permit overlap of said conduit wall edges and said conduit comprising an integrated latch along the longitudinal length of said conduit with said latch positioned to accept engagement of at least one of said conduit edges along said axial slit.
2. A conduit and latch system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said latch is integral with the interior wall of said conduit.
3. A conduit and latch system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said latch is integral with the exterior wall of said conduit.
4. A conduit and latch system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said latch comprises a hooked protrusion.
5. A conduit and latch system comprising a conduit of a substantially circular cross section, said conduit being axially elongated and characterized by an axial slit along the length of said duct whereby two conduit wall edges are formed and whereby said duct may be resiliently opened along the length thereof to permit the introduction of cables, pipes, wires and the like, and said conduit being formed to permit overlap of said conduit wall edges and said conduit comprising two integrated latches along the longitudinal length of said conduit with each said integrated latch positioned to accept engagement of one of said conduit edges along said axial slit.
6. A conduit and latch system of claim 4 wherein one said integrated latch is integral with the exterior wall of said conduit and the other said integrated latch is integral with the interior wall of said conduit.
7. A conduit and latch system of claim 4 wherein said latch comprises a hooked protrusion.
8. A conduit and latch system of claim 1 wherein the said conduit is constructed from a resilient, self-supporting plastic material.
9. A conduit and latch system of claim 4 wherein the said conduit is constructed from a resilient, self-supporting plastic material.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a section of a conduit and latch system according to the invention.
[0008] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional side view of a conduit and latch system according to the invention wherein the latch is in the closed position.
[0009] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional side view of a conduit and latch system according to the invention wherein the latch is held in the open position.
[0010] FIG. 4 is a partial enlarged view of a latch system according to the invention.
[0011] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional side view of a conduit and latch system according to the invention wherein the latch is closed and positioned on the outside wall of the conduit.
[0012] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a section of a conduit and latch system according to the invention wherein the latch is positioned on the outside wall of the conduit.
[0013] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a section of a conduit and latch system according to the invention wherein the latch system comprises two latches with one latch positioned on the inside wall of the conduit and the second latch positioned on the outside wall of the conduit.
[0014] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional side view of a conduit and latch system according to the invention wherein the latch is open and comprised of two latches.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0015] The conduit and latch system (1) shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 comprises a conduit (2) of a substantially circular cross-section. The conduit (2) further comprises a first conduit edge (3) and a second conduit edge (4). The first and second conduit edges (3, 4) are formed from a longitudinal cut through and along the length of the conduit (2). The conduit (2) further comprises an interior hooked protrusion (6) formed from and extending from the conduit (2). In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the protrusion extends from the interior wall (7) of the conduit (2). The conduit (2) is generally made of PVC. The conduit is further formed to allow the first and second conduit edges (3, 4) to overlap and maintain contact pressure along an arc (8) defined by the circular cross section of the conduit (2). The length of the arc (8) is sufficient to provide for the effective enclosing of the tubular conduit (2) and of sufficient length such that slight compression of the conduit (2) in an amount typically applied during handling and normal use of the conduit (2) will not result in the first and second conduit edges (3, 4) completely separating and allowing inadvertent opening of the conduit (2). As shown in FIG. 2, the interior hooked protrusion (6) extends away from the interior wall (7) and down toward the second conduit edge (4). The resulting shape and position of the interior hooked protrusion (6) allows for the second conduit edge (4) to engage the interior hooked protrusion (6) and to be received within the latch space (9) defined by the interior hooked protrusion (6). Engagement of the second conduit edge (4) in the latch space (9) is accomplished by applying sufficient pressure on the conduit (2) to slightly deform the substantially circular shape of the conduit (2) until the second conduit ledge (4) snaps past the interior hooked protrusion (6) and into the latch space (9).
[0016] FIG. 3 shows the conduit and latch system (1) of a particular embodiment in an open position. In this position, the first and second conduit edges (3, 4) are separated by the application of pressure to overcome the contact force between the overlapped portions of the conduit (1). The conduit's construction allows for the application of such a force, being generally constructed of flexible and pliable PVC. This same construction also permits the proper operation of the latch system described above, namely the insertion of the second conduit edge (4) within the latch space (9) formed by the interior hooked protrusion (6).
[0017] FIGS. 5 and 6 show another embodiment of the invention. In FIG. 5, the conduit (2) comprises an exterior hooked protrusion (10) extending from the exterior wall (11) of the conduit (2). In this embodiment, the exterior hooked protrusion (10) is shaped to form the latch space (9) with said latch space (9) designed and formed to receive the first conduit edge (3). The resulting shape and position of the exterior hooked protrusion (10) allows for the first conduit edge (3) to engage the exterior hooked protrusion (10) and to be received within the latch space (9) defined by the exterior hooked protrusion (10). The operation of the conduit latch system (1) shown in FIG. 5 is accomplished in the same manner. Specifically, pressure is applied to the conduit (2) sufficient to deform the substantially circular cross section of the conduit (2) to allow the first conduit edge (3) to engage the exterior hooked protrusion (10) and to be received within the latch space (9).
[0018] FIG. 4 shows the second conduit edge (4) securely latched within the latch space (9). As shown in this embodiment, the latch space is defined by the interior hooked protrusion (6), which is formed from and extends from the conduit (2).
[0019] FIG. 7 shows an embodiment of the invention that provides for a conduit and latch system (1) comprising both an interior hooked protrusion (6) and an exterior hooked protrusion (10). As configured, the first conduit edge (3) is received within the latch space (9) defined by exterior hooked protrusion (10) and the second conduit edge (4) is received within the latch space (9) defined by the interior hooked protrusion (6). Operation of the conduit and latch system (1) in this embodiment is accomplished in a similar manner as with the other embodiments described herein. Specifically, FIG. 8 shows the conduit and latch system (1) of this embodiment in the open position. To close the conduit and latch system (1), pressure is applied to the conduit (2) sufficient to allow the overlapping first and second conduit edges (3, 4) to snap in their respective latch spaces (9) defined by the interior and exterior hooked protrusions (6, 10).
[0020] While the invention has been shown and described in connection with specific examples and embodiments, the invention is not limited to those. Those skilled in the art will recognize that changes and modifications may be made without departing from the description of the invention and that the matter set forth in the foregoing description and accompanying drawings is offered by way of illustration and not as a limitation.
