US3671916A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Single spring wire ground clip
Assignee: Cooper Industries LLC
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Filing: 1971-04-14
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Granted: 1972-06-20
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Expires: 1991-04-14
Abstract
Abstract A wire grounding clip uses only one spring wire member provided to engage the securing screw, and a portion of the bridge is pressed out of the plane of the bridge as an abutment in position to support the securing screw against the pressure of the spring wire, so as to hold the screw in a position perpendicular to the bridge to facilitate assembly into the metal box.
Inventors
- 👤 John J Opalenik
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 19:18
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R13/00; H01R13/648
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
195 words
In combination with a metal mounting bridge, the combination comprising a metal mounting bridge of an electric wiring device for mounting the wiring device on a grounded metal box, a grounding clip attached to the bridge for establishing a low resistance path from the bridge to a securing screw and grounded metal box, said bridge having at least one ear which is apertured for passage of a securing screw, an abutment formed integrally with said bridge adjacent one edge of said screw aperture in position to be engaged by one side of a securing screw passing through the aperture, said clip being formed of a single length of wire having its mid-portion extending along the edge of said screw aperture opposite said abutment inwardly of said edge, said abutment being pressed out of the surface of the bridge into the same plane as said midportion of said clip and the force of said wire being constantly exerted in said plane so that said clip holds said screw between itself and said abutment in erect position to facilitate insertion of the screw in a taped hole in the box when mounting the bridge on the box.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
195 words
In combination with a metal mounting bridge, the combination comprising a metal mounting bridge of an electric wiring device for mounting the wiring device on a grounded metal box, a grounding clip attached to the bridge for establishing a low resistance path from the bridge to a securing screw and grounded metal box, said bridge having at least one ear which is apertured for passage of a securing screw, an abutment formed integrally with said bridge adjacent one edge of said screw aperture in position to be engaged by one side of a securing screw passing through the aperture, said clip being formed of a single length of wire having its mid-portion extending along the edge of said screw aperture opposite said abutment inwardly of said edge, said abutment being pressed out of the surface of the bridge into the same plane as said midportion of said clip and the force of said wire being constantly exerted in said plane so that said clip holds said screw between itself and said abutment in erect position to facilitate insertion of the screw in a taped hole in the box when mounting the bridge on the box.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The combination as claimed in claim 1 in which said clip is attached to said bridge by its ends passing through openings in said bridge.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
The combination as claimed in claim 1 in which said screw aperture has tapered ends and said clip has its ends bent around the edge of said plaster ear and into said tapered ends.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
40 words
The combination as claimed in claim 1 having channels in the bridge receiving the end portions of said clip to maintain the clip in properly assembled condition against any tendency of it to slide over the surface of the bridge.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
136 words
In combination with a metal mounting bridge for mounting of an electrical wiring device to a wall box, there being a hole in the mounting bridge for passage of a screw having a threaded shank portion for securing the mounting bridge to the wall box, the improvement comprising an element formed of resilient electrically conductive material affixed to the said mounting strap in position to engage the threads of said screw and to exert a yieldable force on the screw on one side and tending to press the screw against the bridge on the opposite side of said hole, the force exerted by said resilient element being coplanar with the point of engagement of the screw with the bridge, whereby the said screw is maintained erect for mounting of the mounting bridge in a wall box.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
136 words
In combination with a metal mounting bridge for mounting of an electrical wiring device to a wall box, there being a hole in the mounting bridge for passage of a screw having a threaded shank portion for securing the mounting bridge to the wall box, the improvement comprising an element formed of resilient electrically conductive material affixed to the said mounting strap in position to engage the threads of said screw and to exert a yieldable force on the screw on one side and tending to press the screw against the bridge on the opposite side of said hole, the force exerted by said resilient element being coplanar with the point of engagement of the screw with the bridge, whereby the said screw is maintained erect for mounting of the mounting bridge in a wall box.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2395141A
Cited
US3432793A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-06-20 | 1975-12-20 | 1976-06-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-06-20 | 1979-12-20 | 1980-06-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-06-20 | 1983-12-20 | 1984-06-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |