US5046766A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Connector for corrugated tubes
Assignee: SOFAX SA 6 RUE DES BOUVREUILS F-25110 BAUME LES DAMES FRANCE A CORP OF FRANCE
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Filing: 1990-06-04
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Granted: 1991-09-10
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Expires: 2010-06-04
Abstract
Abstract A connector for corrugated tubes comprises a lower shell (100) and an upper cover (150) having lateral walls (110, 160) with several corresponding semi-circular openings (50) that define, when the cover has been closed on the shell, circular openings for receiving corrugated tubes. The openings (50) are fitted with a series of flexible fingers (10) in the form of truncated segments of a circle that form flexible skirts in the form of a circular crown around the openings. Internal semi-circular ribs (40) for longitudinally locking the fitted corrugated tubes are situated on arcuate tongues (30) arranged in a plane parallel to the corresponding opening. Each tongue (30) is connected either to the inner wall by a flexible arm (29), or to the bottom of the shell by its lower middle part.
Inventors
- 👤 M. Marc Lomberty
- 👤 M. Gabriel Rougeot
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 14:44
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16L; F16L25/00; F16L25/0036; F16L25/0045; H; H02; H02G; H02G3/00; H02G3/02; H02G3/06; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S285/00; Y10S285/903; Y10T; Y10T403/00; Y10T403/57; Y10T403/5761; Y10T403/5766
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
117 words
A connector for corrugated tubes, comprising a lower shell and an upper cover that can be closed together, the shell and cover having lateral walls having therein corresponding semi-circular openings that define, when the cover is closed on the shell, circular openings for receiving corrugated tubes, the lateral walls having inner faces provided behind and parallel to said openings with arcuate ribs for longitudinally holding fitted tubes, wherein the ribs are situated on flexible arcuate tongues connected to said inner faces in a plane parallel to the corresponding opening, each semi-circular opening being fitted with a series of flexible fingers in the shape of truncated segments of a circle forming a crown-like skirt for each circular opening.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
117 words
A connector for corrugated tubes, comprising a lower shell and an upper cover that can be closed together, the shell and cover having lateral walls having therein corresponding semi-circular openings that define, when the cover is closed on the shell, circular openings for receiving corrugated tubes, the lateral walls having inner faces provided behind and parallel to said openings with arcuate ribs for longitudinally holding fitted tubes, wherein the ribs are situated on flexible arcuate tongues connected to said inner faces in a plane parallel to the corresponding opening, each semi-circular opening being fitted with a series of flexible fingers in the shape of truncated segments of a circle forming a crown-like skirt for each circular opening.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
58 words
A connector for corrugated tubes according to claim 1, wherein the inner face of only the shell is provided, behind and parallel to each semi-circular opening, with three ribs, each situated on an arcuate tongue connected to its inner wall by a flexible arm, there being a bigger median tongue between and facing opposite to the two others.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
56 words
A connector for corrugated tubes according to claim 2, wherein the shell and the cover are symmetrical relative to their plane of joining and the flexible arms are each in the form of an inverted V having a first section connected to the inner wall and a second section supporting an arcuate tongue carrying a rib.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
39 words
A connector for corrugated tubes according to claim 3, wherein the first sections of each of the three flexible arms adjacent to each opening are fixed on a single supporting piece secured against the inner wall of the shell.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
61 words
A connector for corrugated tubes according to claim 1, wherein the lower shell is provided, behind each semi-circular opening, with at least one tongue extending over 3/5ths to 4/5ths of a circle and carrying at least one rib, said tongue being connected by a central part thereof to the inside of the bottom of the shell, parallel to its semi-circular opening.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
A connector for corrugated tubes according to claim 5, wherein the tongue is integral with a generally flat central connecting part, the tongue and its connecting part being fitted in the shell.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
A connector for corrugated tubes according to claim 5, wherein the shell and the cover are symmetrical relative to their plane of joining.
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) | 1994-09-09 | 1995-03-11 | 1995-09-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-09-09 | 1999-03-11 | 1999-09-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-09-09 | 2003-03-11 | 2003-09-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |