US3609213A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automatic grounding for receptacle
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1970-11-02
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Granted: 1971-09-28
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Expires: 1990-11-02
Abstract
Abstract A slotted grounding strap is mounted across the spaced parallel legs of the end portion of a receptacle mounting strap and a screw is snugly and resistently carried in the slot. The screw is threadedly mounted in the mounting ear of a flush-type box to secure the receptacle in the box and provide an automatic low resistance electrical path between the mounting strap and the box.
Inventors
- 👤 Paul H Winter
- 👤 Paul W Herzog
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 09:25
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R4/00; H01R4/58; H01R4/64
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
198 words
In an electrical assembly comprising a metallic flush-type box having a mounting ear extending outwardly from each end thereof and a receptacle mounted therein, said receptacle including a metallic mounting strap secured to the mounting ears by suitable screws inserted in threaded holes in said ears, the improvement comprising an outwardly extended tab portion on each end of the mounting strap, at least one tab portion having a centrally notched section forming said tab portion into a Ushaped element wherein the free ends of the legs of the U-shaped element project outwardly in a parallel manner, a grounding strap of low electrical resistance material mounted across the tab legs and secured thereto in a low resistance manner, said grounding strap having a longitudinally disposed slot whose central portion is aligned with the threaded hole in the mounting ear therebeneath, said mounting screw snugly and resiliently engaged by the strap sides defining the central slot portion providing a low resistance electrical path between the screw and the grounding strap, and further providing a low resistance path between the grounding strap and the box, thus automatically establishing a low resistance electrical path between the flush box and the mounting strap.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
198 words
In an electrical assembly comprising a metallic flush-type box having a mounting ear extending outwardly from each end thereof and a receptacle mounted therein, said receptacle including a metallic mounting strap secured to the mounting ears by suitable screws inserted in threaded holes in said ears, the improvement comprising an outwardly extended tab portion on each end of the mounting strap, at least one tab portion having a centrally notched section forming said tab portion into a Ushaped element wherein the free ends of the legs of the U-shaped element project outwardly in a parallel manner, a grounding strap of low electrical resistance material mounted across the tab legs and secured thereto in a low resistance manner, said grounding strap having a longitudinally disposed slot whose central portion is aligned with the threaded hole in the mounting ear therebeneath, said mounting screw snugly and resiliently engaged by the strap sides defining the central slot portion providing a low resistance electrical path between the screw and the grounding strap, and further providing a low resistance path between the grounding strap and the box, thus automatically establishing a low resistance electrical path between the flush box and the mounting strap.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
The invention as set forth in claim 1 and wherein the screw has its threads distorted providing increased contact between the distorted screw threads and the mounting ear into which it is threaded.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The invention as set forth in claim 2 and wherein the mid portion of the grounding strap is offset with the offset disposed between the tab legs.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
The invention as set forth in claim 3 and wherein the screw has a flat head and fits flush down against the offset portion of the grounding strap to provide additional electrical contact therebetween.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
40 words
The invention as set forth in claim 1 and wherein the end portions of the grounding strap have enlarged openings therein communicating with the slot to provide additional resilience to the slot side portions which engage the screw extending therethrough.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
37 words
The invention as set forth in claim 1 and wherein the mounting screw is held in the grounding strap by the sides of the strap defining the slot when it is not threaded into the mounting ear.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3440590A
Cited
US3432793A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-09-27 | 1975-03-29 | 1975-09-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-09-27 | 1979-03-29 | 1979-09-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-09-27 | 1983-03-29 | 1983-09-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |