Grounding system and clamp

Claim 3

The system of claim 1 wherein the electric utility box is generally rectangular and includes side surfaces which enclose the box, the clamping device comprising an elongated base longer than one of the side surfaces with a pair of arms extending from the ends of the base, the arms being located adjacent opposing side surfaces of the box, one of the arms mounting the securing means for penetrating the adjacent outer side surface of the utility box.

Claim 4

The system of claim 2 wherein the clamping device comprises an element having one end moveable against the outside surface and an opposite end containing a further clamping device for clamping the second electrical conductor to the securing means.

Claim 7

The system of claim 4 wherein the threaded bolt has a center point extending outwardly beyond the abrasive end surface to abut the outer surface of the box before the abrasive end surface makes contact.

Claim 8

The system of claim 4 wherein the clamping device includes a second portion connected to the first portion by a common base, the second portion being inclined towards the first portion, at least a portion of an edge of the second portion having an abrasive edge surface to engage the outer surface of the box and prevent the second portion from moving across the outer surface as the clamping device is secured to the box.

Claim 9

The system of claim 4 wherein the threaded bolt includes a head having formed therein a bore for receiving a grounding wire, a threaded opening in the head and extending into the bore, and a securing screw located within the threaded opening for securing a grounding wire to the head.

Claim 10

The system of claim 4 wherein the clamping device includes a second portion substantially parallel and opposing the first portion, the second portion having a point extending outwardly therefrom toward the first portion to abut the outer surface of the box whereby the point serves to prevent the second portion from moving across the outer surface as the clamping device is being secured to the box.

Claim 11

The system of claim 8 wherein the center line of the threaded opening is coaxial with the center line of the point on the second portion.

Claim 12

A clamping device for mechanical and electrical connection to a metal box, comprising: a elongated base which spans the box and having a pair of arms extending from ends of the base for positioning the arms adjacent opposite sides of the box, the elongated base being substantially longer than the length of the arms, one of the arms being engageable with its adjacent side of the box, the other of the arms including a threaded opening and a threaded bolt moveable therein into engagement with the adjacent side of the box; first means on an end of the threaded bolt for abrading the outer surface of the side of the box to penetrate the outer surface without penetrating the inside of the hollow box, and the end of the threaded bolt includes second means for preventing the clamping device from inadvertent movement across the sides of the box as the threaded bolt is being tightened.

Claim 13

A clamping device for mechanical and electrical connection to a metal box, comprising: a elongated base which spans the box and having a pair of arms extending from ends of the base for positioning the arms adjacent opposite sides of the box, the elongated base being substantially longer than the length of the arms, one of the arms being engageable with its adjacent side of the box, the other of the arms including a threaded opening and a threaded bolt moveable therein into engagement with the adjacent side of the box; first means on an end of the threaded bolt for abrading the outer surface of the side of the box to penetrate the outer surface without penetrating the inside of the hollow box, and the end of the threaded bolt includes second means for preventing the clamping device from inadvertent movement across the sides of the box as the threaded bolt is being tightened.

Claim 14

The clamping device of claim 10 wherein the arm engageable with its adjacent side of the box includes additional means for preventing the clamping device from inadvertent movement across the sides of the box as the threaded bolt is being tightened.

Claim 15

The clamping device of claim 10 wherein the first means for abrading comprise a serrated end surface for abutting and abrading the outer surface of the box as the threaded bolt is rotated.

Claim 16

The clamping device of claim 10 wherein the second means for preventing inadvertent movement comprises a center point on the end of the threaded bolt extending outwardly beyond the abrading end surface to abut the outer surface of the box.

Claim 17

The clamping device of claim 10 wherein an additional means for preventing inadvertent movement is on the arm engageable with its adjacent side of the box and comprises a point formed on the engageable arm which abuts the outer surface of the box.

Claim 18

A clamping device for mechanical and electrical connection to a hollow metal box, comprising: a elongated base which spans the box and having a pair of arms extending from ends of the base for positioning the arms adjacent opposite sides of the box, the elongated base being substantially longer than the length of the arms, one of the arms being engageable with its adjacent side of the box and having a portion which defines an edge for engaging the box to prevent inadvertent movement; the other of the arms including a threaded opening and a threaded bolt movable therein into engagement with its adjacent side of the box; and first means on an end of the threaded bolt for abrading the outer surface of the side of the box to penetrate the outer surface without penetrating the inside of the hollow box whereby the edge prevents the clamping device from inadvertent movement across the sides of the box as the threaded bolt is being tightened to secure the clamping device to the box.

Claim 19

A clamping device for mechanical and electrical connection to a hollow metal box, comprising: a elongated base which spans the box and having a pair of arms extending from ends of the base for positioning the arms adjacent opposite sides of the box, the elongated base being substantially longer than the length of the arms, one of the arms being engageable with its adjacent side of the box and having a portion which defines an edge for engaging the box to prevent inadvertent movement; the other of the arms including a threaded opening and a threaded bolt movable therein into engagement with its adjacent side of the box; and first means on an end of the threaded bolt for abrading the outer surface of the side of the box to penetrate the outer surface without penetrating the inside of the hollow box whereby the edge prevents the clamping device from inadvertent movement across the sides of the box as the threaded bolt is being tightened to secure the clamping device to the box.

Claim 20

A clamping device for mechanical and electrical connection to a metal box, comprising: an elongated base which spans the box and having a pair of arms extending from ends of the base for positioning the arms adjacent opposite sides of the box, one of the arms being engageable with its adjacent side of the box and having a portion which defines an edge for engaging the box to prevent inadvertent movement; the other of the arms including a threaded opening and a threaded bolt moveable therein into engagement with its adjacent side of the box, the threaded bolt includes a head portion having formed therein a bore for receiving an electrical conductor, a second threaded opening, and a securing screw for securing the electrical conductor to the head portion, and first means on an end of the threaded bolt for abrading the outer surface of the side of the box to penetrate the outer surface without penetrating the inside of the box whereby the edge prevents the clamping device from inadvertent movement across the sides of the box as the threaded bolt is being tightened to secure the clamping device to the box.

Claim 21

A clamping device for mechanical and electrical connection to a metal box, comprising: an elongated base which spans the box and having a pair of arms extending from ends of the base for positioning the arms adjacent opposite sides of the box, one of the arms being engageable with its adjacent side of the box and having a portion which defines an edge for engaging the box to prevent inadvertent movement; the other of the arms including a threaded opening and a threaded bolt moveable therein into engagement with its adjacent side of the box, the threaded bolt includes a head portion having formed therein a bore for receiving an electrical conductor, a second threaded opening, and a securing screw for securing the electrical conductor to the head portion, and first means on an end of the threaded bolt for abrading the outer surface of the side of the box to penetrate the outer surface without penetrating the inside of the box whereby the edge prevents the clamping device from inadvertent movement across the sides of the box as the threaded bolt is being tightened to secure the clamping device to the box.

Claim 22

A clamping device for mechanical and electrical connection to a hollow metal box, comprising: an elongated base which spans the box and having a pair of arms extending from ends of the base for positioning the arms adjacent opposite sides of the box, the elongated base being substantially longer than the length of the arms, one of the arms being engageable with its adjacent side of the box, the other of the arms including a threaded opening and a threaded bolt moveable therein into engagement with the adjacent side of the box; first means on an end of the threaded bolt for abrading the outer surface of the side of the box to penetrate the outer surface without penetrating the inside of the hollow box; and the other end of the threaded bolt includes a head portion containing a securing means movably located on the head portion for securing an electrical conductor to the head portion.

Claim 23

A clamping device for mechanical and electrical connection to a hollow metal box, comprising: an elongated base which spans the box and having a pair of arms extending from ends of the base for positioning the arms adjacent opposite sides of the box, the elongated base being substantially longer than the length of the arms, one of the arms being engageable with its adjacent side of the box, the other of the arms including a threaded opening and a threaded bolt moveable therein into engagement with the adjacent side of the box; first means on an end of the threaded bolt for abrading the outer surface of the side of the box to penetrate the outer surface without penetrating the inside of the hollow box; and the other end of the threaded bolt includes a head portion containing a securing means movably located on the head portion for securing an electrical conductor to the head portion.

Claim 24

The clamping device of claim 17 wherein the other arm with the threaded opening is spaced from the box and the threaded bolt extends from the spaced other arm into engagement with the box to form the electrical connection between the box and the other arm.

Claim 25

The clamping device of claim 17 wherein the elongated base and pair of arms are formed of a single unitary bar which establishes a fixed length between the pair of arms.

Claim 26

The clamping device of claim 17 wherein the first means comprises an annular abrasive surface.

Claim 27

The clamping device of claim 20 wherein the first means further includes a point located within the annular abrasive surface and extending outwardly beyond the annular abrasive surface to abut the hollow metal box before the annular abrasive surface makes contact.

Claim 28

The clamping device of claim 17 wherein the head portion includes a bore for receiving the electrical conductor, and the securing means includes a second threaded opening extending into the bore and a securing screw movably located within the second threaded opening for engaging the electrical conductor to clamp it within the bore of the head portion.