Ground expansion joint coupling

Abstract

The present invention provides expansion joints that allow direct attachment of conduits to the ends thereof without the need for disassembling the expansion joint. The expansion joints include a first expansion joint body which is elongate and is attachable at one end directly to an electrical conduit. The first joint body movably accommodates therein a second joint body, which is elongate and is attachable at one end to an electrical conduit. Grounding means is provided between the first and second joint bodies, which maintains ground continuity between the joint bodies upon relative movement therebetween.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An electrical expansion joint for interconnecting a pair of electrical conduits comprising: 
 an elongate generally cylindrical outer body having an attachment end for attachment to one of said conduits and a reception end for receiving said other conduit; and    a conduit mounting member movably supported within said outer body in ground continuity therewith, said conduit mounting member being attachable to said other conduit while said conduit mounting member is movably supported within said outer body.    
     
     
         2 . An expansion joint of  claim 1 , wherein said conduit mounting member includes a threaded portion for threaded attachment of said other conduit thereto.  
     
     
         3 . An expansion joint of  claim 1 , wherein said ground continuity is established between outer body and said conduit mounting member by a conductive braid.  
     
     
         4 . An expansion joint of  claim 3 , wherein said conductive braid circumscribes a portion of said conductive mounting member and is in circumferential engagement with said outer body.  
     
     
         5 . An expansion joint of  claim 3 , wherein said conductive braid is an elongate member having on end attachable to said outer body and a second end attachable to said conduit mounting member, said conductive braid being collapsible upon mating of said conduit mounting member with respect to said body.  
     
     
         6 . An expansion joint of  claim 5 , wherein said outer body defines an internal chamber for accommodating said collapsible braid.  
     
     
         7 . An expansion joint of  claim 5 , wherein said conduit mounting member provides attachment to said other conduit internally of said outer body.  
     
     
         8 . An expansion joint of  claim 4 , wherein said conduit mounting member provides attachment to said other conduit externally of said outer body.  
     
     
         9 . An expansion joint of  claim 8 , wherein said conduit mounting member includes an elongate generally cylindrical inner body having an attachment end for attachment to said other conduit and an insertion end for insertion within said outer body.  
     
     
         10 . An expansion joint of  claim 9 , wherein said conductive braid is positioned adjacent said insertion end of said inner body.  
     
     
         11 . An expansion joint for interconnecting a pair of electrical conduits comprising: 
 an outer cylindrical conductive body having a conduit attachment and an opposed reception end;    an inner cylindrical conductive body slidably accommodated within said outer cylindrical body having an insertion end for insertion into said reception end of said cylindrical body and an opposed conduit attachment end; and    means for maintaining conductive continuity between said outer cylindrical body and said inner cylindrical body upon said slidable accommodation.    
     
     
         12 . An expansion joint at  claim 11 , wherein said conductive continuity means includes a conductive ring circumscribing said inner conduit, said conductive ring being in conduit engagement with said inner and outer bodies.  
     
     
         13 . An expansion joint at  claim 12 , wherein said conductive ring is formed from a flexible conductive braid.  
     
     
         14 . An expansion joint of  claim 12 , wherein said conductive ring is supported within said outer body adjacent said reception end.  
     
     
         15 . An expansion joint of  claim 14 , wherein said insertion end of said inner body is slidably insertible into said reception end of said outer body through said conductive ring.  
     
     
         16 . An expansion joint of  claim 14 , wherein said attachment end of said inner body includes a coupling assembly for direct screw attachment of one end of said conduits of said pair.  
     
     
         17 . An expansion joint of  claim 16 , wherein said attachment end of said outer body includes a coupling member for direct screw attachment of one end of the other of said conduits of said pair.  
     
     
         18 . An expansion joint of  claim 17 , wherein said inner body is rotatable within said outer body.