Mounting strap for grounding electrical devices

Claim 2

In a mounting strap for suppOrting and grounding an electrical wiring device in a metal wall box, said strap being formed of metal and having an end extending beyond the wiring device, said end containing an elongated opening to receive a mounting screw therein for threadably engaging with the wall box, the improvement which comprises: a. a member of resilient material secured to an end of the mounting strap; b. said member having a downwardly inclined lip extending across the strap and along one side of said elongated opening therein; c. said lip being inclined relative to the plane of the strap; d. a finger carried by said inclined lip and having an end extending into the elongated opening in the strap at one side thereof; e. said end of the finger being spaced from the opposite side of the elongated opening by a distance less than the major diameter of a mounting screw whereby said finger engages with and forces the mounting screw into electrical contact with the mounting strap.

Claim 3

In a mounting strap for supporting and grounding an electrical wiring device in a metal wall box, said strap being formed of metal and having an end extending beyond the wiring device, said end containing an elongated opening to receive a mounting screw therein for threadably engaging with the wall box, the improvement as defined in claim 1 wherein: a. the member of resilient material is secured at opposite ends thereof to the mounting strap; and b. the spring finger carried by said resilient member engages with and forces the mounting screw into electrical contact with the metal supporting strap.

Claim 4

In a mounting strap for supporting and grounding an electrical wiring device in a metal wall box, said strap being formed of metal having an end extending beyond the wiring device, said end containing an elongated opening to receive a mounting screw therein for threadably engaging with the wall box, the improvement as defined in claim 2 wherein: a. the lip forms part of the resilient member and is inclined downwardly relative to the plane of the strap; and b. said lip is bendable with a twisting action and engages with the wall box when the mounting strap is seated on the wall box.

Claim 5

In a mounting strap for supporting an electrical wiring device in a metal wall box and establishing a ground connection between the strap and the wall box, the improvement which comprises a. a metal mounting strap; b. said strap having a wiring device attached thereto and having an end extending beyond the wiring device; c. said end of the strap containing an elongated opening therein adapted to receive a metal mounting screw for threadable engagement with a wall box, and d. a resilient member attached to the strap and extending along one side of the elongated opening in the strap; e. said member having arms disposed angularly relative to a surface of the mounting strap; f. said arms opposing the wall box and being capable of being twisted relative to the strap upon engagement with the wall box; g. a spring finger attached to said arms and having a free end extending into the elongated opening in the strap at one side thereof; h. said spring finger being positioned for engagement with a mounting screw inserted in said elongated opening in the strap and forcing the mounting screw into electrical contact with an opposing side of the elongated opening in the strap when said arms are brought into engagement with the wall box.

Claim 6

In a mounting strap for supporting an electrical wiring device in a metal wall box and establishing a ground connection between the strap and the wall box, the improvement which comprises a. a metal mounting strap; b. said strap having a wiring device attached thereto and having an end extending beyond the wiring device; c. said end of the strap containing an elongated opening therein adapted to receive a metal mounting screw for threadable engagement with a wall box, and d. a resilient member attached to the strap and extending along one side of the elongated opening in the strap; e. said member having arms disposed angularly relative to a surface of the mounting strap; f. said arms opposing the wall box and being capable of being twisted relative to the strap upon engagement with the wall box; g. a spring finger attached to said arms and having a free end extending into the elongated opening in the strap at one side thereof; h. said spring finger being positioned for engagement with a mounting screw inserted in said elongated opening in the strap and forcing the mounting screw into electrical contact with an opposing side of the elongated opening in the strap when said arms are brought into engagement with the wall box.