Electrical connector with metal coupling sleeve

(54) ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR WITH METAL COUPLING SLEEVE

(75) Inventors: Rajiv D. Katwala, Milford, CT (US);

Patrick J. Tiberio, Huntington, CT
(US)

(73) Assignee: Hubbell Incorporated, Orange, CT
(US)

( * ) Notice: Subject to any disclaimer, the term ol this patent is extended or adjusted under 35 U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days.

(21) Appl. No.: 10/738,982

(22) Filed: Dec. 19, 2003

(51) Int. CI. II01R 4 38

(52) U.S. CI 439 320

(58) Field of Search 439/320, 321,

439/322, 323, 313

(56) References Cited

U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS

4,531,801 A * 7/1985 Baur 439/313

4,550,966 A 11/1985 Riley

4,647,127 A 3/1987 Weingartner

4,708,370 A 11/1987 Todd

4,938,718 A * 7/1990 Guendel 439/680

5,021,001 A 6/1991 Ramirez

5,035,640 A * 7/1991 Drogo 439/321

5,188,399 A 2/1993 Durina

5,192,219 A 3/1993 Fowler et al.

5,641,310 A 6/1997 Tiberio, Ir.

6,102,444 A 8/2000 Kozey

2003/0193193 Al 10/2003 Harrington et al.

FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS

FR 606163 6/1926

* cited by examiner

Primary Examiner—Thanh-Tarn Le

(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Mark S. Bicks; Garrett V. Davis; Alfred N. Goodman

(57) ABSTRACT

An electrical assembly is constructed for mounting to an electrical box or other support surface. The electrical assembly includes a non-metallic body that supports an electrical device such as an electrical receptacle that is surrounded by a non-metallic collar. A metal sleeve surrounds the collar such that the sleeve is electrically insulated from the electrical device by the collar. The sleeve includes a coupling member such as external threads for mating with complementing threads of a mating electrical device to provide a secure coupling to obtain a watertight rating.

47 Claims, 5 Drawing Sheets