US3728468A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Spring type grounding means for electrical fixtures
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1972-02-16
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Granted: 1973-04-17
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Expires: 1992-02-16
Abstract
Abstract A spring clip contact member is disclosed in the form of a unitary V-shaped member formed of a pair of arms connected at an apex with rounded eyelet contact terminals being formed in the ends of the arms opposite the apex. The V-shaped member is mounted on the mounting screw between the yoke of an electrical receptacle and the receptacle mounting box to be spring biased outwardly into forcible contact with both the receptacle and the box for providing a grounding circuit between the receptacle and the grounding circuit of the box in one embodiment with a second embodiment being disclosed in which the end of one of the arms is welded to the receptacle yoke. In another embodiment, the spring contact member is formed with a rounded loop defining the apex of the V-shaped member.
Inventors
- 👤 C Grauer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 18:29
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R13/00; H01R13/648
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
151 words
Connection means for establishing grounding continuity between the yoke of an electrical component and the grounding circuit of an outlet box mounting the electrical component, said connection means comprising a V-shaped compressible spring contact member defined by two arms joined at an apex having first and second contact terminals mounted on the ends of said arms opposite said apex, one of said contact terminals engaging a portion of the grounding circuit of an outlet box and the other of said contact terminals being a rounded eyelet for encircling a mounting screw extending between said yoke and said box and engaging the yoke of a component for establishing a circuit between the yoke and the grounding circuit wherein said spring contact member is compressed by the mounting of the component in the box to provide a constant force holding said contact terminals in forcible engagement with the yoke and the grounding circuit.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
151 words
Connection means for establishing grounding continuity between the yoke of an electrical component and the grounding circuit of an outlet box mounting the electrical component, said connection means comprising a V-shaped compressible spring contact member defined by two arms joined at an apex having first and second contact terminals mounted on the ends of said arms opposite said apex, one of said contact terminals engaging a portion of the grounding circuit of an outlet box and the other of said contact terminals being a rounded eyelet for encircling a mounting screw extending between said yoke and said box and engaging the yoke of a component for establishing a circuit between the yoke and the grounding circuit wherein said spring contact member is compressed by the mounting of the component in the box to provide a constant force holding said contact terminals in forcible engagement with the yoke and the grounding circuit.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein said spring contact member is of unitary spring metal construction and said apex is a single coil loop connecting said arms.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein the contact terminal of one of said arms is fixedly welded to said yoke.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
169 words
Connection means for establishing grounding continuity between the yoke of an electrical component and the grounding circuit of an outlet box mounting the electrical component, said connection means comprising a V-shaped compressible spring contact member defined by two arms joined at an apex having first and second contact terminals mounted on the ends of said arms opposite said apex, one of said contact terminals comprising a rounded eyelet member sized to matingly fit over a mounting screw extending from said yoke member to said outlet box and the other of said contact terminals also comprising a rounded eyelet member sized to matingly fit over the same mounting screw extending from said yoke member to said outlet box for establishing a circuit between the yoke and the grounding circuit of the outlet box wherein said spring contact member is compressed by the mounting of the component in the box to provide a constant force holding said rounded eyelet contact terminals in forcible engagement with the yoke and the grounding circuit.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
169 words
Connection means for establishing grounding continuity between the yoke of an electrical component and the grounding circuit of an outlet box mounting the electrical component, said connection means comprising a V-shaped compressible spring contact member defined by two arms joined at an apex having first and second contact terminals mounted on the ends of said arms opposite said apex, one of said contact terminals comprising a rounded eyelet member sized to matingly fit over a mounting screw extending from said yoke member to said outlet box and the other of said contact terminals also comprising a rounded eyelet member sized to matingly fit over the same mounting screw extending from said yoke member to said outlet box for establishing a circuit between the yoke and the grounding circuit of the outlet box wherein said spring contact member is compressed by the mounting of the component in the box to provide a constant force holding said rounded eyelet contact terminals in forcible engagement with the yoke and the grounding circuit.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
The invention of claim 4 wherein said spring contact member is of unitary metal construction.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
42 words
The invention of claim 5 additionally including a fiber washer snugly fitted over said mounting screws between said eyelets on one of said mounting screws for holding said connection means in place prior to attachment of said component to said outlet box.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
The invention of claim 6 wherein said spring contact member is formed with said apEx comprising a single coil loop connecting said arms.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-04-16 | 1976-10-16 | 1977-04-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-04-16 | 1980-10-16 | 1981-04-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-04-16 | 1984-10-16 | 1985-04-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |