Mechanical grounding clamp

{
  "publication_number": "US11165175B2",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "B2",
  "title": "Mechanical grounding clamp",
  "abstract": "A mechanical grounding clamp includes a body, having an upper plate defining a threaded hole therethrough and having an outer surface, a lower plate spaced apart from the upper plate and having an inner surface, and a connecting plate connecting the upper plate to the lower plate, a set screw mateable with the threaded hole in the upper plate and having a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end extendable through the threaded hole of the upper plate and toward the inner surface of the lower plate. There may be a nut on the set screw for driving toward the upper plate to secure a grounding conductor to the body.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A mechanical grounding clamp, comprising: a body, having an upper plate and a lower plate, the upper plate defining a threaded hole therethrough, and the lower plate being spaced apart from the upper plate and having an inner surface, and said body further having a connecting plate connecting the upper plate to the lower plate; a set screw mateable with the threaded hole in the upper plate and having a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end being extendable through the threaded hole of the upper plate and toward the inner surface of the lower plate and being configured to secure said body to a lug attached to a grounding wire and to secure said body to a grounded member positionable between the distal end of said set screw and the inner surface of the lower plate; and a threaded nut on the proximal end of said set screw and displaceable along said set screw to secure the lug to an outer surface of the upper plate of said body.",
    "2. The mechanical grounding clamp of claim 1, wherein the distal end of said set screw is rounded.",
    "3. The mechanical grounding clamp of claim 1, wherein the distal end of said set screw is tapered.",
    "4. The mechanical grounding clamp of claim 1, wherein the distal end of said set screw has a cup point.",
    "5. The mechanical grounding clamp of claim 1, wherein a cross-section of said body is generally C-shaped.",
    "6. The mechanical grounding clamp of claim 1, wherein the proximal end of said set screw includes a hex pocket for tightening said set screw.",
    "7. The mechanical grounding clamp of claim 1, further comprising a lock washer between said threaded nut and the upper plate of said body.",
    "8. The mechanical grounding clamp of claim 1, wherein a diameter of a mounting hole in the lug is greater than a diameter of said set screw.",
    "9. The mechanical grounding clamp of claim 1, wherein the upper plate of said body defines a second threaded hole therethrough, the mechanical grounding clamp further comprising a second set screw mateable with the second threaded hole in the upper plate and having a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end of the second set screw being extendable through the second threaded hole of the upper plate and toward the inner surface of the lower plate, and a second threaded nut on the proximal end of said second set screw and displaceable along said set screw to secure the lug to the upper plate of said body.",
    "10. The mechanical grounding clamp of claim 9, wherein the distal ends of said first and second set screws are rounded.",
    "11. The mechanical grounding clamp of claim 9, wherein the distal ends of said first and second set screws are tapered.",
    "12. The mechanical grounding clamp of claim 9, wherein the distal ends of said first and second set screws have cup points.",
    "13. The mechanical grounding clamp of claim 9, wherein the proximal ends of said first and second set screws each include a hex pocket.",
    "14. The mechanical grounding clamp of claim 9, further comprising a lock washer between each of said first and second threaded nuts and the upper plate of said body.",
    "15. A method for grounding a structure, comprising steps of: attaching a grounding conductor to a structure to be grounded; providing a grounding clamp comprising a body having an upper plate and a lower plate, the upper plate defining a threaded hole therethrough and having an outer surface, the lower plate being spaced apart from the upper plate and having an inner surface, and the body further having a connecting plate connecting the upper plate to the lower plate, and a set screw mateable with the threaded hole in the upper plate and having a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end extendable through the threaded hole of the upper plate and toward the inner surface of the lower plate; positioning the grounding conductor adjacent to the outer surface of the upper plate and a grounded member between the upper plate and the lower plate; driving the set screw through the threaded hole toward the grounded member to secure the body to the grounded member and the grounding conductor, wherein the grounded member is secured between the distal end of the set screw and the inner surface of the lower plate; and driving a threaded nut on the set screw, from the proximal end toward the distal end of the set screw, to secure the grounding conductor to the outer surface of the upper plate of the body.",
    "16. The method of claim 15, wherein the grounding conductor comprises a lug, the lug having a mounting hole sized to permit the set screw to pass freely therethrough, the method further comprising steps of positioning the lug with the set screw through the mounting hole, and driving the threaded nut on the set screw to secure the lug against the outer surface of the upper plate.",
    "17. The method of claim 15, further comprising a step of positioning a cap between the threaded nut and the upper plate, with the grounding conductor positioned between the cap and the upper plate, wherein driving the threaded nut to secure the grounding conductor to the body drives the cap toward the upper plate.",
    "18. The method of claim 15, wherein the upper plate of the body defines a second threaded hole therethrough, the grounding clamp further comprising a second set screw mateable with the second threaded hole in the upper plate and having a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end of the second set screw being extendable through the second threaded hole of the upper plate and toward the inner surface of the lower plate, the method further comprising steps of driving the second set screw through the second threaded hole toward the grounded member to secure the body to the grounded member and the grounding conductor, and driving a second threaded nut on the second set screw, from the proximal end toward the distal end of the second set screw, to secure the grounding conductor to the upper plate of the body."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "The present disclosure relates to grounding components, and more particularly, to mechanical grounding clamps.\n\nMechanical grounding clamps connect an electrical grounding wire to a grounded structural member. Examples of a grounded structural member can include a steel beam or a steel plate to which the grounding wire is connected.\n\nAn electrical connection between the grounding wire and the structural member is accomplished by securing the grounding wire to the structural member via the clamp. The grounding wire is secured to the structural member using a mounting component, to secure the clamp to the structural member, and a contacting component, to secure the grounding wire to the clamp.\n\nCurrently available mechanical grounding clamps accomplish the aforementioned securing using fasteners, usually in the form of threaded bolts, set screws, mounting pins, or a combination thereof. Typically, multiple fasteners are required for each of the mounting component and the contacting component.\n\nTo establish an adequate mechanical and electrical connection, all of the fasteners need to be tightened, adding time and complexity to the installation process.\n\nTherefore, there is a need for a clamp that is capable of establishing a strong mechanical and electrical connection with a structural member with a least number of fasteners. Additionally, there is a need for a clamp that is capable of being installed quickly and easily.\n\nThe present invention solves these and other problems in the prior art.",
  "cpc": [
    "H01R 4/64",
    "F16B 2/02",
    "F16B 2/06",
    "F16B 2/065",
    "H01R 11/26",
    "H01R 13/648",
    "H01R 13/6596",
    "H01R 4/28",
    "H01R 4/30",
    "H01R 4/34",
    "H01R 4/36",
    "H01R 4/38",
    "H01R 4/46",
    "H01R 4/643",
    "H01R 4/66",
    "H01R 9/2483"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "F16B 2/06",
    "H01R 11/26",
    "H01R 13/648",
    "H01R 13/6596",
    "H01R 4/30",
    "H01R 4/34",
    "H01R 4/36",
    "H01R 4/38",
    "H01R 4/46",
    "H01R 4/64",
    "H01R 4/66",
    "H01R 9/24"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "Hubbell Inc"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "Evan Martin",
    "Logan Michael Trombley",
    "Sam Carbonneau",
    "Reid Ruland"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2020-09-25",
  "publication_date": "2021-11-02",
  "grant_date": "2021-11-02",
  "priority_date": "2017-11-10",
  "application_number": "US-202017032796-A",
  "family_id": "64604706",
  "cited_by_count": 0,
  "citations": [
    "US4828504A",
    "US6011218A",
    "US5616036A",
    "GB2367960A",
    "US20040033730A1",
    "US20040092142A1",
    "US20040154818A1",
    "EP2108848A1",
    "US7988464B2",
    "US20140329420A1",
    "US20170117640A1"
  ]
}