US3881520A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
One-piece raceway with integral coupling
Assignee: Wiremold Co
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Filing: 1974-01-07
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Granted: 1975-05-06
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Expires: 1994-01-07
Abstract
Abstract A raceway for electrical wiring is provided as a one-piece member having an elongated base wall portion, a canopy portion integrally cooperating with the base wall along the length thereof to form an enclosed raceway cavity and an integral coupling portion extending longitudinally from one end of the base beyond the canopy. The coupling portion has a lateral dimension slightly greater than the raceway cavity adjacent the base wall and is offset therefrom by at least the thickness of the base wall. The coupling portion is provided with a narrow slot extending longitudinally therethrough and continuously along the base wall portion to impart flexibility and resiliency to the raceway and permit contraction of the coupling portion during assembly.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert H Murphy
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 19:32
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16L; F16L7/00; H; H02; H02G; H02G3/00; H02G3/02; H02G3/04; H02G3/0462; H02G3/0487; H02G3/06; H02G3/0608; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T403/00; Y10T403/55
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
150 words
A raceway for electrical wiring and the like comprising an elongated tubular member of one-piece construction having an elongated base wall portion, a canopy portion integral with the base wall portion along its length and cooperating therewith to form an elongated enclosed raceway cavity, and a coupling portion integral with the base wall portion and extending longitudinally from one end thereof beyond the canopy portion, said coupling portion being offset from the base wall portion by a distance equal to at least the thickness of the base wall portion and having a lateral dimension slightly greater than the lateral dimension of the raceway cavity adjacent the base wall, said coupling portion and said base wall portion having a continuous narrow slot extending longitudinally through the coupling portion and along the base wall portion to impart flexibility and resiliency to the raceway and permit contraction of the coupling portion during assembly.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
150 words
A raceway for electrical wiring and the like comprising an elongated tubular member of one-piece construction having an elongated base wall portion, a canopy portion integral with the base wall portion along its length and cooperating therewith to form an elongated enclosed raceway cavity, and a coupling portion integral with the base wall portion and extending longitudinally from one end thereof beyond the canopy portion, said coupling portion being offset from the base wall portion by a distance equal to at least the thickness of the base wall portion and having a lateral dimension slightly greater than the lateral dimension of the raceway cavity adjacent the base wall, said coupling portion and said base wall portion having a continuous narrow slot extending longitudinally through the coupling portion and along the base wall portion to impart flexibility and resiliency to the raceway and permit contraction of the coupling portion during assembly.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
43 words
The raceway of claim 1 wherein said canopy portion includes arcuate channel portions extending longitudinally adjacent the point of interconnection with the base wall portion, said channel portions being adapted to cooperate with said coupling portion to resist misalignment between assembled raceway members.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
44 words
The raceway of claim 1 wherein the coupling portion includes angularly disposed side portions spaced from the canopy portion of the raceway to which it is integrally connected, the free edges of said angularly oriented portion defining said lateral dimension of said coupling portion.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The raceway of claim 1 wherein said narrow slot extends centrally along said coupling portion and said base wall portion.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
60 words
The raceway of claim 1 wherein said raceway cavity defined by the base wall portion and canopy portion is of generally rectangular cross section and the canopy portion includes outwardly bowed channel portions on opposite sides of the raceway cavity, said channels extending longitudinally from at least one end of the raceway and adapted to cooperatively engage said coupling portion.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
97 words
A self-connecting raceway for electrical wiring formed from a single sheet-like material comprising an elongated, substantially enclosed raceway housing having a continuous narrow slot extending longitudinally therealong to impart resiliency thereto, and a coupler integrally projecting from one end of the housing to provide endwise self-connection between adjacent lengths thereof, said coupler being longitudinally bisected by said narrow slot and having an adjustable lateral dimension slightly greater than the lateral dimension of the raceway, said coupler being adapted to resiliently cooperate with the raceway housing to assure firm interconnection therebetween and resist misalignment between assembled lengths thereof.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
97 words
A self-connecting raceway for electrical wiring formed from a single sheet-like material comprising an elongated, substantially enclosed raceway housing having a continuous narrow slot extending longitudinally therealong to impart resiliency thereto, and a coupler integrally projecting from one end of the housing to provide endwise self-connection between adjacent lengths thereof, said coupler being longitudinally bisected by said narrow slot and having an adjustable lateral dimension slightly greater than the lateral dimension of the raceway, said coupler being adapted to resiliently cooperate with the raceway housing to assure firm interconnection therebetween and resist misalignment between assembled lengths thereof.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
68 words
The raceway of claim 6 wherein said coupler incLudes a longitudinally extending central tongue portion and lateral tab portions angularly disposed relative to the tongue portion and having free lateral edges defining the adjustable lateral dimension of the coupler, said tongue portion being split by said slot, said free lateral edges being adapted to cooperatively engage the raceway housing and inwardly bias the split tongue portion upon assembly.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-05-05 | 1978-11-04 | 1979-05-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-05-05 | 1982-11-04 | 1983-05-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-05-05 | 1986-11-04 | 1987-05-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |