Strut system and strut fitting therefor

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9683590-B2
Application number	US-201514702190-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	May 1, 2015
Priority date	May 2, 2014
Publication date	Jun 20, 2017
Grant date	Jun 20, 2017

Abstract

A strut fitting for a strut includes a fitting body having opposite ends and a length extending between the opposite ends. First and second opposite faces extend along the length of the body. Opposite sides are disposed between the first and second faces and extend along the length of the body. The first face and at least portions of the opposite sides adjacent the first face define a first cross-sectional shape of the fitting body that is generally dovetail-shaped. A catch is secured to and extends outward from the first face of the fitting body. The catch is resiliently deflectable relative to the fitting body.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A strut fitting for a strut having at least one side defining a dovetail-shaped groove, the strut fitting comprising:
a fitting body having opposite ends, a length extending between the opposite ends, first and second opposite faces extending along the length of the body, and opposite sides disposed between the first and second faces and extending along the length of the body, wherein the first face and at least portions of the opposite sides adjacent the first face define a first cross-sectional shape of the fitting body that is generally dovetail-shaped; and
a catch secured to and extending outward from the first face of the fitting body, wherein the catch is resiliently deflectable relative to the fitting body,
wherein the catch is resiliently deflectable toward the first face of the fitting body,
wherein the first face of the fitting body defines a groove extending along the length of the body, the resiliently deflectable catch secured in the groove defined by the first face and protruding outward from the groove.

2. The strut fitting set forth in claim 1 , wherein the catch is resiliently deflectable about an axis such that the catch is resiliently pivotable toward the first face of the fitting body.

3. The strut fitting set forth in claim 1 , wherein the catch comprises a spring.

4. The strut fitting set forth in claim 1 , wherein the second face and portions of the opposite sides adjacent the second face define a second cross-sectional shape of the fitting body that is generally dovetail-shaped.

5. The strut fitting set forth in claim 1 , wherein the second face of the fitting body defines a groove extending along the length of the body.

6. The strut fitting set forth in claim 5 , wherein the groove of the second face of the fitting body has a cross-sectional shape that is generally dovetail-shaped.

7. The strut fitting set forth in claim 5 , wherein the second face and at least portions of the opposite side adjacent the second face define a second cross-sectional shape of the fitting body that is generally dovetail-shaped.

8. The strut fitting set forth in claim 1 , wherein the fitting body defines a through opening extending through the first and second faces, wherein the through opening is sized and shaped for receiving a rod therein.

9. The strut fitting set forth in claim 8 , wherein the through opening comprises first and second through openings spaced apart from the one another along the fitting body.

10. The strut fitting set forth in claim 9 , wherein first through opening has a diameter greater than a diameter of the second through opening.

11. The strut fitting set forth in claim 1 , in combination with the strut having at least one side defining a dovetail-shaped groove, wherein the first cross-sectional shape of the fitting body is sized and shaped for sliding reception in the dovetail-shaped groove of the strut.

12. The strut fitting in combination with the strut set forth in claim 11 , wherein the catch is configured to resiliently deflect as the first cross-sectional shape of the fitting body is slidingly received in the dovetail-shaped groove of the strut.

13. The strut fitting in combination with the strut set forth in claim 11 , wherein the dovetail-shaped groove of the strut defines an opening in communication with an interior of the strut,
wherein the first cross-sectional shape of the fitting body is received in the dovetail-shaped groove of the strut,
wherein the catch is received in the opening of the dovetail-shaped groove of the strut to restrict sliding of the strut fitting along the dovetail-shaped groove of the strut.

14. The strut fitting in combination with the strut set forth in claim 11 , in further combination with a threaded rod, wherein the fitting body defines a through opening extending through the first and second faces, wherein the threaded rod is received in the through opening and secured to the strut fitting.

15. A strut system comprising:
a piece of strut including an elongate strut body having opposite longitudinal ends, a length extending between the opposite longitudinal ends, and a fitting side defining an external fitting groove extending lengthwise of the body, wherein the external fitting groove has opposite open groove ends at the opposite longitudinal ends of the strut body,
a strut fitting for the piece of strut, the strut fitting including a fitting body having opposite ends, a length extending between the opposite ends, first and second opposite faces extending along the length of the body, and opposite sides disposed between the first and second faces and extending along the length of the body, wherein the first face and at least portions of the opposite sides adjacent the first face define a first cross-sectional shape of the fitting body sized and shaped for insertion through one of the open groove ends and into the external fitting groove of the piece of strut for connecting the strut fitting to the piece of strut, wherein the second face of the fitting body defines a groove extending along the length of the body,
wherein the second face and at least portions of the opposite side adjacent the second face define a second cross-sectional shape of the fitting body that is sized and shaped for insertion through one of the open groove ends and into the external fitting groove of the piece of strut for connecting the strut fitting to the piece of strut.

16. The strut system set forth in claim 15 , wherein the first face of the fitting body defines a groove extending along the length of the body.

17. The strut system set forth in claim 16 , further comprising a resiliently deflectable catch secured in the groove defined by the first face and protruding outward from the first face.

18. The strut system set forth in claim 15 , further comprising a resiliently deflectable catch secured to the first face and protruding outward from the first face.

19. A strut assembly comprising:
strut fitting having at least one side defining a dovetail-shaped groove, the strut fitting comprising:
a fitting body having opposite ends, a length extending between the opposite ends, first and second opposite faces extending along the length of the body, and opposite sides disposed between the first and second faces and extending along the length of the body, wherein the first face and at least portions of the opposite sides adjacent the first face define a first cross-sectional shape of the fitting body that is generally dovetail-shaped; and
a catch secured to and extending outward from the first face of the fitting body, wherein the catch is resiliently deflectable relative to the fitting body; and

a strut having at least one side defining a dovetail-shaped groove, wherein the first cross-sectional shape of the fitting body is sized and shaped for sliding reception in the dovetail-shaped groove of the strut,
wherein the dovetail-shaped groove of the strut defines an opening in communication with an interior of the strut,
wherein the first cross-sectional shape of the fitting body is received in the dovetail-shaped groove of the strut,
wherein the catch is received in the opening of the dovetail-shaped groove of the strut to restrict sliding of the strut fitting along the dovetail-shaped groove of the strut.

20. A strut fitting for a strut having at least one side defining a dovetail-shaped groove, the strut fitting comprising:
a fitting body having opposite ends, a length extending between the opposite ends, first and second opposite faces extending

Assignees

• Cooper Technologies Co

Inventors

• Zhang Zhihui
• Mccarthy William Edward

Classifications

• F16B2/248

  of wire · CPC title

• F16L3/243

  the special member being inserted in the profiled girder · CPC title

• F16B7/0473

  with hook-like parts gripping, e.g. by expanding, behind the flanges of a profile · CPC title

• F16B7/0433

  for rods or tubes being in parallel relationship · CPC title

• F16B7/04 Primary

  Clamping or clipping connections (friction-grip releasable fastenings in general F16B2/00) · CPC title