US5131856A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Universal ground clamp
Assignee: Hubbell Power Systems Inc
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Filing: 1991-11-15
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Granted: 1992-07-21
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Expires: 2011-11-15
Abstract
Abstract A universal ground clamp is employed for clamping to a ground electrode such as a conduit, a pipe or a rod by means of a clamp strap. The ground wire is secured by means of a set screw in an aperture of a head which extends from a threaded shank. A platen, which has a convex bowed surface, is retained against rotation by retainer flanges of a contact member. The platen is clamped against the strap to secure the ground clamp in position. The clamp may be mounted and the ground wire secured by applying a torque from one side of the ground clamp.
Inventors
- 👤 John W. Auclair
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 08:25
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R4/00; H01R4/58; H01R4/64; H01R4/643; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T24/00; Y10T24/14; Y10T24/1412; Y10T24/1441; Y10T24/1443
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
175 words
A ground wire connector adapted for mounting to a conduit for connecting a ground wire comprising: an elongated strap defining a plurality of longitudinally spaced apertures; a guide member having a pair of laterally spaced flanges and defining an aperture aligned with a said strap aperture; clip means comprising a clip engageable against said strap and a coupling member defining a threaded socket, said strap apertures being alignable with said socket; bolt means comprising an axially extending threaded shaft threadably couplable with said socket, said bolt means comprising a torque receiving portion and a head defining a transverse opening; a set screw mounted to said bolt means and axially thradably displaceable relative to said opening; and a driver member mounted to said shaft and having a convex engagement surface, said member being dimensioned for reception between said flanges, so that said shaft may be inserted through a first and a second said strap aperture and threaded to said socket, and a torque applied to said torque receiving portion clamps said driver member against said strap.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
175 words
A ground wire connector adapted for mounting to a conduit for connecting a ground wire comprising: an elongated strap defining a plurality of longitudinally spaced apertures; a guide member having a pair of laterally spaced flanges and defining an aperture aligned with a said strap aperture; clip means comprising a clip engageable against said strap and a coupling member defining a threaded socket, said strap apertures being alignable with said socket; bolt means comprising an axially extending threaded shaft threadably couplable with said socket, said bolt means comprising a torque receiving portion and a head defining a transverse opening; a set screw mounted to said bolt means and axially thradably displaceable relative to said opening; and a driver member mounted to said shaft and having a convex engagement surface, said member being dimensioned for reception between said flanges, so that said shaft may be inserted through a first and a second said strap aperture and threaded to said socket, and a torque applied to said torque receiving portion clamps said driver member against said strap.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
The ground wire connector of claim 1 wherein said driver member has a pair of opposed ends, said ends being engageable against said flanges to limit angular rotation of said driver member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The ground wire connector of claim 1 wherein said guide member is crimped to said strap.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
The ground wire connector of claim 1 wherein said clip defines a quasi-U-shaped slot which receives a portion of said strap and said guide member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
183 words
A ground wire connector adapted for mounting to a conduit for connecting a ground wire comprising: an elongated strap defining a plurality of longitudinally spaced apertures; a guide member connected to said strap and having a pair of laterally spaced flanges, said member having a planar portion defining an aperture; coupling means comprising a coupling member defining a threaded socket aligned with said guide member aperture; bolt means comprising an axially extending threaded shaft threadably couplable with said socket, said bolt means comprising a torque receiving portion and a head defining a transverse opening; wire securement means mounted to said bolt means for securing a ground wire in said transverse opening; and a driver member mounted to said shaft and having a convex engagement surface, said member being dimensioned for reception between said flanges and axially engageable by said bolt means, so that said shaft may be inserted through a said strap aperture and the guide member aperture and threaded to said socket, and a torque applied to said torque receiving portion axially clamps said driver member convex engagement surface against said strap.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
183 words
A ground wire connector adapted for mounting to a conduit for connecting a ground wire comprising: an elongated strap defining a plurality of longitudinally spaced apertures; a guide member connected to said strap and having a pair of laterally spaced flanges, said member having a planar portion defining an aperture; coupling means comprising a coupling member defining a threaded socket aligned with said guide member aperture; bolt means comprising an axially extending threaded shaft threadably couplable with said socket, said bolt means comprising a torque receiving portion and a head defining a transverse opening; wire securement means mounted to said bolt means for securing a ground wire in said transverse opening; and a driver member mounted to said shaft and having a convex engagement surface, said member being dimensioned for reception between said flanges and axially engageable by said bolt means, so that said shaft may be inserted through a said strap aperture and the guide member aperture and threaded to said socket, and a torque applied to said torque receiving portion axially clamps said driver member convex engagement surface against said strap.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
The ground wire connector of claim 5 wherein said driver member has a pair of opposed ends, said ends being engageable against said flanges to limit angular rotation of said driver member.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
The ground wire connector of claim 5 wherein said guide member is crimped to said strap.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
The ground wire connector of claim 5 wherein said strap is positioned between said driver member and said socket means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
174 words
A ground wire connector adapted for mounting to a conduit for connecting a ground wire comprising: an elongated strap defining a plurality of longitudinally spaced apertures; a guide member having a pair of laterally spaced flanges and a planar portion defining an aperture aligned with a said strap aperture; coupling means comprising a coupling member defining a threaded socket aligned with said guide member aperture; bolt means comprising a head and an axially extending threaded shaft threadably couplable with said socket, said bolt means comprising a torque receiving portion; wire securement means mounted to said bolt means for securing a ground wire to said head; and a driver member mounted to said shaft, said driver member having a pair of opposed ends engageable against said flanges, so that said strap forms a loop and said shaft may be inserted through a first and a second said strap aperture and threaded to said socket, and a torque applied to said torque receiving portion axially clamps said driver member against said strap to tighten said loop.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
174 words
A ground wire connector adapted for mounting to a conduit for connecting a ground wire comprising: an elongated strap defining a plurality of longitudinally spaced apertures; a guide member having a pair of laterally spaced flanges and a planar portion defining an aperture aligned with a said strap aperture; coupling means comprising a coupling member defining a threaded socket aligned with said guide member aperture; bolt means comprising a head and an axially extending threaded shaft threadably couplable with said socket, said bolt means comprising a torque receiving portion; wire securement means mounted to said bolt means for securing a ground wire to said head; and a driver member mounted to said shaft, said driver member having a pair of opposed ends engageable against said flanges, so that said strap forms a loop and said shaft may be inserted through a first and a second said strap aperture and threaded to said socket, and a torque applied to said torque receiving portion axially clamps said driver member against said strap to tighten said loop.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
25 words
The ground wire connector of claim 9 wherein said driver member ends are engageable against said flanges to limit angular rotation of said driver member.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
16 words
The ground wire connector of claim 9 wherein said guide member is crimped to said strap.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
34 words
The ground wire connector of claim 9 wherein said coupling means further comprises a clip and said clip defines a quasi U-shaped slot which receives a portion of said strap and said guide member.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
16 words
The ground wire connector of claim 9 wherein said driver member has a convex engagement surface.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
20 words
The ground wire connector of claim 9 wherein said guide member is crimped to said strap through a strap aperture.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
21 words
The ground wire connector of claim 12 wherein said clip is biased into engagement against said strap and said guide member.
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) | 1995-07-21 | 1996-01-20 | 1996-07-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-07-21 | 2000-01-20 | 2000-07-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-07-21 | 2004-01-20 | 2004-07-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |