Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
249 words
The combination of an anode and a connector for securing an electrical conductor to such anode comprising an elongated anode having a generally cylindrical bore therein of predetermined diameter, a connector for securing an electrical conductor within said bore including a first member of electrically conductive material carried within said bore of said anode, the outer wall of said first member being generally frusto-conical and having a major diameter which is less than said predetermined diameter of said bore of said anode, a second member of electrically conductive material carried within said bore and disposed around said outer wall of said first member of said connector, said second member having a generally cylindrical outer wall of a diameter less than said predetermined diameter of said bore of said anode and a generally frusto-conical inner wall, said frusto-conical inner wall of said second member having substantially the same angle of taper as the frusto-conical outer wall of said first member, said frusto-conical inner wall of said second member being in generally axially aligned relationship with the frusto-conical wall of said first member, means for connecting the electrical conductor to one of said first and second members, and said frusto-conical wall of said first member being engaged with said frusto-conical wall of said second member and causing said outer wall of said second member to expand into intimate engagement with the wall of the bore of the anode to form a low resistance electrical connection between the conductor and the anode.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
249 words
The combination of an anode and a connector for securing an electrical conductor to such anode comprising an elongated anode having a generally cylindrical bore therein of predetermined diameter, a connector for securing an electrical conductor within said bore including a first member of electrically conductive material carried within said bore of said anode, the outer wall of said first member being generally frusto-conical and having a major diameter which is less than said predetermined diameter of said bore of said anode, a second member of electrically conductive material carried within said bore and disposed around said outer wall of said first member of said connector, said second member having a generally cylindrical outer wall of a diameter less than said predetermined diameter of said bore of said anode and a generally frusto-conical inner wall, said frusto-conical inner wall of said second member having substantially the same angle of taper as the frusto-conical outer wall of said first member, said frusto-conical inner wall of said second member being in generally axially aligned relationship with the frusto-conical wall of said first member, means for connecting the electrical conductor to one of said first and second members, and said frusto-conical wall of said first member being engaged with said frusto-conical wall of said second member and causing said outer wall of said second member to expand into intimate engagement with the wall of the bore of the anode to form a low resistance electrical connection between the conductor and the anode.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
42 words
The invention of claim 1 in which said outer wall of said second member includes at least one outwardly extending projection which gouges material from the walls of the bore of said anode and said projection is deformed to fill the gouge.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The invention of claim 2 in which said outwardly extending projection includes a spike.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The invention of claim 2 in which said outwardly extending projection includes a longitudinally extending rib.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
109 words
The method of connecting an electrical conductor to an anode of a cathodic protection system comprising the steps of forming a bore in the body of said anode, electrically connecting said conductor to an electrically conductive male member having a generally frusto-conical outer wall, placing said male member within said bore, forcing a hollow electrically conductive female member having a generally frusto-conical inner wall and a generally cylindrical outer wall onto said frusto-conical outer wall of said male member to cause said female member to expand until said generally cylindrical wall of said female member intimately engages the wall of said bore and forms a low resistance connection therewith.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
109 words
The method of connecting an electrical conductor to an anode of a cathodic protection system comprising the steps of forming a bore in the body of said anode, electrically connecting said conductor to an electrically conductive male member having a generally frusto-conical outer wall, placing said male member within said bore, forcing a hollow electrically conductive female member having a generally frusto-conical inner wall and a generally cylindrical outer wall onto said frusto-conical outer wall of said male member to cause said female member to expand until said generally cylindrical wall of said female member intimately engages the wall of said bore and forms a low resistance connection therewith.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 5 including the step of applying a waterproof compound to said bore after said connection has been made.