US5006074A — Adjustable ground clamp

Claim 1

Independent Claim 138 words

An adjustable clamping device for mechanical and electrical connection to the sides of a conductor which may have a variety of different widths, comprising: a base spanning the conductor, said base having two separate elongated members, each member having an arm extending from one end of the base member positionable adjacent one side of the conductor; one of the arms including a threaded opening and a threaded bolt moveable therein for engagement with its adjacent side of the conductor, the threaded bolt having an abrading surface for abrading the side of the conductor to penetrate the outer surface thereof; and adjustment means for varying the length of the base within a predetermined range of lengths by securing the members to each other at a plurality of different positions whereby the clamping device is adjustable for different width conductors.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 138 words

An adjustable clamping device for mechanical and electrical connection to the sides of a conductor which may have a variety of different widths, comprising: a base spanning the conductor, said base having two separate elongated members, each member having an arm extending from one end of the base member positionable adjacent one side of the conductor; one of the arms including a threaded opening and a threaded bolt moveable therein for engagement with its adjacent side of the conductor, the threaded bolt having an abrading surface for abrading the side of the conductor to penetrate the outer surface thereof; and adjustment means for varying the length of the base within a predetermined range of lengths by securing the members to each other at a plurality of different positions whereby the clamping device is adjustable for different width conductors.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 37 words

The adjustable clamping device of claim 1 wherein the adjustment means establishes a plurality of discrete, predetermined lengths, and means for selecting different ones of the discrete, predetermined lengths in order to correspond with different width conductors.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 29 words

The adjustable clamping device of claim 1 wherein each of the members has a hole for receiving the securing means therein when the holes are aligned with each other.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 31 words

The adjustable clamping device of claim 3 wherein the securing means is a second threaded bolt with at least one of the holes being threaded to receive the second threaded bolt.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 53 words

The adjustable clamping device of claim 3 wherein one of the members has a second hole and the other of the members has a tab formed thereon, with the second hole and the tab being positioned so that upon securing of the members, a portion of the tab rests within the second hole.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 40 words

The adjustable clamping device of claim 3 wherein one of the members has a plurality of holes, each of which is movable in alignment with the hole on the other member to select a different, discrete length for the base.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 37 words

The adjustable clamping device of claim 6 wherein the length of the threaded bolt is greater than the individual discrete adjustment increments selectable for the base to provide a continuous range of adjustments for different width conductors.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 37 words

The adjustable clamping device of claim 1 wherein the end of the threaded bolt includes means for preventing the clamping device from inadvertent movement across the sides of the conductor as the threaded bolt is being tightened.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 32 words

The adjustable clamping device of claim 1 wherein the abrading surface comprises a serrated end surface for abutting and abrading the outer surface of the conductor as the threaded bolt is rotated.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 31 words

The adjustable clamping device of claim 1 including anti-movement means for preventing the clamping device from inadvertent movement across the sides of the conductor as the threaded bolt is being tightened.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 29 words

The adjustable clamping device of claim 10 wherein the anti-movement means comprises a center point on the end of the threaded bolt extending outwardly beyond the abrading end surface.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 30 words

The adjustable clamping device of claim 10 wherein the anti-movement means comprises a point formed on one of the pairs of arms extending to abut the side of the conductor.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 48 words

The adjustable clamping device of claim 1 wherein the arm opposite said threaded bolt bearing arm is generally slanted towards the side of the conductor and includes an abrading edge for engaging and preventing inadvertent movement across the side of the conductor as the threaded bolt is tightened.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 157 words

An adjustable clamping device for mechanical and electrical connection to the sides of a conductor which may have a variety of different widths, comprising: a base spanning the conductor and having a pair of arms extending from the ends of the base and positionable adjacent the sides of the conductor; one of the arms including a threaded opening and a threaded bolt moveable therein for engagement with its adjacent side of the conductor, the threaded bolt having an abrading surface for abrading the side of the conductor to penetrate the outer surface thereof, the threaded bolt further including 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 within the base to the head portion; and adjustment means for varying the length of the base within a predetermined range of lengths whereby the clamping device is adjustable for different width conductors.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 157 words

An adjustable clamping device for mechanical and electrical connection to the sides of a conductor which may have a variety of different widths, comprising: a base spanning the conductor and having a pair of arms extending from the ends of the base and positionable adjacent the sides of the conductor; one of the arms including a threaded opening and a threaded bolt moveable therein for engagement with its adjacent side of the conductor, the threaded bolt having an abrading surface for abrading the side of the conductor to penetrate the outer surface thereof, the threaded bolt further including 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 within the base to the head portion; and adjustment means for varying the length of the base within a predetermined range of lengths whereby the clamping device is adjustable for different width conductors.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 147 words

An adjustable ground clamp for mechanical and electrical connection to the sides of a conductor which is to be grounded, comprising: a first elongated base member terminating in an end portion extending at an angle generally less than or equal to 90° from the first elongated base member; a second elongated base member overlapping said first base member and terminating in an end portion extending at an angle generally less than or equal to 90° from the second elongated base member; adjustment means for interconnecting the overlapped elongated base members at different positions to adjust the distance between the end portions to each be positioned closely adjacent a side of the conductor; and ground means mounted on one of the end portions and moveable into engagement with its adjacent side of the conductor for abrading the adjacent side surface to form an intimate electrical ground connection therewith.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 147 words

An adjustable ground clamp for mechanical and electrical connection to the sides of a conductor which is to be grounded, comprising: a first elongated base member terminating in an end portion extending at an angle generally less than or equal to 90° from the first elongated base member; a second elongated base member overlapping said first base member and terminating in an end portion extending at an angle generally less than or equal to 90° from the second elongated base member; adjustment means for interconnecting the overlapped elongated base members at different positions to adjust the distance between the end portions to each be positioned closely adjacent a side of the conductor; and ground means mounted on one of the end portions and moveable into engagement with its adjacent side of the conductor for abrading the adjacent side surface to form an intimate electrical ground connection therewith.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 37 words

The adjustable ground clamp of claim 15 wherein the adjustment means includes a hole on each of the first and second base members for receiving an interconnection fastener therein when the holes are aligned with each other.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 29 words

The adjustable ground clamp of claim 16 wherein the interconnection fastener is a threaded bolt and at least one of the holes is threaded to receive the threaded bolt.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 35 words

The adjustable ground clamp of claim 15 wherein one of the base members has a hole formed therein, and the other of the base members has a tab formed thereon and extending into the hole.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 64 words

The adjustable ground clamp of claim 15 wherein the adjustment means comprises a hole on one of the base members and the other base member has a plurality of holes extending along its elongated length, the alignment of each of the plurality of holes with the hole on the one base member determining a different, discrete distance of the end portions from each other.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 59 words

The adjustable ground clamp of claim 19 wherein the ground means comprises a bolt movable within its end portion and having an abrading end surface for abrading the side of the conductor to penetrate the outer surface thereof, the movable length of the bolt being at least equal to the distance between adjacent ones of the plurality of holes.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 37 words

The adjustable ground clamp of claim 15 including means for preventing at least one of the end portions from inadvertent movement across the side of the conductor as the ground means is being secured to the conductor.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1994-04-08	1994-10-08	1995-04-09	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1998-04-08	1998-10-08	1999-04-09	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2002-04-08	2002-10-08	2003-04-09	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Adjustable ground clamp

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