Joint construction, connector sleeve, a coupling assembly, and a method for preparation

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a connector sleeve for joining conduit. The disclosure also relates to a joint construction, coupling assembly for joining conduit. The disclosure further relates to a method for joining conduit using a coupling assembly.

1 . A joint construction for conduit, comprising: 
 first and second sections of conduit having coaxially overlapping end areas, said first section end area having an enlarged diameter relative to said second section end area;    a coupling member affixed to said first section end area, said coupling member including a first end portion dimensioned to be coaxially received within said first section end area and a second end portion having external threads and axially extending from said first end portion;    said coupling member having an axial bore dimensioned to coaxially receive said second section end area;    an annular gland nut including internal threads rotatably engaging said second end portion external threads to selectively axially advance and retract the gland nut when said gland nut is respectively rotated in opposite directions; and    a compression washer circumscribing said second section and interposed between said coupling member second end portion and said annular gland nut, said compression washer being urged into engagement with said second section end portion to resist axial movement of said second section relative to said first section.    
   
   
       2 . The joint construction of  claim 1 , further comprising means for preventing rotation of said coupling member relative to said first section.  
   
   
       3 . The joint construction of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more protrusions formed on an outward surface of said coupling member engaging one or more complimentary depressions formed on an inward facing surface of said first section end area.  
   
   
       4 . The joint construction of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 said coupling member and said first section end area including a plurality of mutually deformed regions preventing rotation of the coupling member relative to said first section.    
   
   
       5 . The joint construction of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 said coupling member rotationally immobilized within said first section end area; and    said first section end area including one or more surface features for engagement by a gripping tool to facilitate rotation of said gland nut relative to said coupling member second end area.    
   
   
       6 . The joint construction of  claim 6 , wherein said first and second conduit sections are electrical metallic tubing.  
   
   
       7 . A coupling assembly for joining conduit sections, comprising: 
 a first conduit section having at least one swaged end;    an annular sleeve having a first end and an externally threaded second end, said first end received and coupled within said swaged end of said first conduit section, said second end of said sleeve having an inner diameter sized to receive an end of a second conduit section;    an internally threaded annular gland nut for coaxially receiving the second conduit section and sized to rotatably engage said threaded end of said sleeve; and    a compression washer for circumscribing the second conduit section and compressing about the second conduit section upon rotational tightening of said gland nut.    
   
   
       8 . The coupling assembly of  claim 7 , further wherein said first end of said sleeve is mechanically fastened within said swaged end of said first conduit section.  
   
   
       9 . The coupling assembly of  claim 7 , wherein said first end of said sleeve includes an outward facing surface frictionally engaging an inward facing surface of said swaged end of said first conduit section.  
   
   
       10 . The coupling assembly of  claim 7 , wherein said first end of said annular sleeve is coupled within said swaged end of said first conduit section by externally dimpling said sleeve within said first conduit section.  
   
   
       11 . The coupling assembly of  claim 7 , further comprising an external stop member formed on an outward facing surface of said annular sleeve and abutting an edge of said swaged end.  
   
   
       12 . The coupling assembly of  claim 7 , further comprising: 
 an annular external stop member formed on an outward facing surface of said annular sleeve; and    an annular gasket disposed between said annular external stop member and an edge of said swaged end.    
   
   
       13 . The coupling assembly of  claim 7 , further comprising an internal stop member attached to said first end of said annular sleeve and extending inwardly into an opening defined by said annular sleeve.  
   
   
       14 . The coupling assembly of  claim 7 , further comprising: 
 said compression washer having a first axial end for engaging said gland nut and a second axial end opposite said first axial end, wherein one or both of said first and second axial ends are tapered.    
   
   
       15 . A connector sleeve for joining conduit sections, comprising: 
 an annular sleeve having a first end and an externally threaded second end, said first end having an outer diameter sized to be received within a first conduit section, and said second end defining an inner opening sized to receive a second conduit section.    
   
   
       16 . The connector sleeve of  claim 15 , further comprising: 
 an external stop member formed on an outward facing surface of said annular sleeve for engaging an end of the first conduit section.    
   
   
       17 . The connector sleeve of  claim 16 , wherein said external stop member is adapted to engage a gripping tool.  
   
   
       18 . The connector sleeve of  claim 15 , further comprising: 
 an internal stop member attached to said annular sleeve and extending inwardly into an opening defined by said annular sleeve.    
   
   
       19 . A method for coupling conduit sections, comprising: 
 swaging an end of a first conduit section to form an enlarged diameter end;    coupling a connector sleeve within the enlarged diameter end of the first conduit section, the sleeve having a first end received within the enlarged diameter end of the first conduit section and an externally threaded second end defining an axial bore;    encircling an end of a second conduit section with an internally threaded annular gland nut and a compression washer;    inserting the end of the second conduit section into the axial bore; and    tightening the gland nut about the connector sleeve second end to compress the compression washer about the second conduit section thereby providing resistance to axial movement of the second conduit section relative to the first conduit section.    
   
   
       20 . A coupling assembly for joining conduit sections, comprising: 
 a first conduit section;    an annular sleeve having a first end and an externally threaded second end, said first end receiving and coupled to an end of said first conduit section, said second end of said sleeve having an inner diameter sized to receive an end of a second conduit section;    an internally threaded annular gland nut for coaxially receiving the second conduit section and sized to rotatably engage said threaded end of said sleeve; and    a compression washer for circumscribing the second conduit section and compressing about the second conduit section upon rotational tightening of said gland nut.