Patent Application
20110039431
The present invention relates generally to an electrical grounding device. More particularly, the present invention relates to a grounding collar bushing having a removable ground lug member.
In residential and commercial construction, an entire electrical system of a structure is grounded to Earth to create a path to a zero potential. This is typically achieved by coupling a large grounding wire or wires from a junction box or other electrical source on the structure to a ground stake which is buried underground. The grounding wire(s) are typically fed through electrical conduit, i.e., larger diameter pipes that are buried in the ground. A grounding bushing is typically installed on a terminal end of the electrical conduit at an electrical junction box so as to reduce the likelihood that the electrical conducting materials will improperly contact either the electrical junction box or the conduit terminus. Without a properly installed bushing in place, the ground wires and/or electrical conductors may become damaged and/or the electrical conduit may become electrically charged, leading to unsafe conditions. The grounding bushing provides a lined aperture through which ground wires and/or electrical conductors pass and helps to ensure that the junction between the grounding wires and the electrical conduit is protected both electrically and against chafe. Grounding bushings have the additional capability of being grounded themselves.
Collar type grounding bushings are typically fitted during the initial installation of the electrical system. The complete disassembly of a grounding circuit may be necessary to retrofit or repair a collar type ground bushing. One solution to this difficulty is to provide a split collar type grounding bushing as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,840,782, which discloses a two-piece hinged collar-type grounding bushing including a fixed position ground lug. However, the hinged design and fixed position ground lug make the bushing unwieldy in applications where space is at a premium.
Accordingly, there exists a need for an alternative electrical grounding collar bushing. Such a grounding collar bushing benefits from the ability of a user to readily retrofit a grounding conduit without pulling the ground wires and reassembling the grounding circuit. The inventive grounding collar bushing also benefits from highly adaptable positions for varying installation conditions and the location of the ground lug based upon the particular circumstances of the installation conditions encountered by the user.
In one aspect of the current invention, an electrical grounding device includes a first collar member having first inner and outer wall surfaces, a first flange projecting from the first inner wall surface, and a first shoulder projection extending radially from the first outer wall surface. The device further includes a second collar member having second inner and outer wall surfaces, a second flange projecting from the second inner wall surface, and a second shoulder projection extending radially from the second outer wall surface. Further, the device includes a thickened wall region including an aperture passing transversely therethrough, wherein the thickened wall region is disposed in the outer wall surface of at least one of the first and second collar members. A fastener is operably associated with the first and second shoulder projections to removably couple the first and second shoulder projections together. Such coupling configures the first and second inner wall surfaces to define an opening disposed through the electrical grounding device.
In another aspect of the current invention, an electrical grounding device includes a first collar member having first inner and outer wall surfaces, a first flange projecting from and co-extensive with the first inner wall surface, and a first shoulder projection extending radially from the first outer wall surface. The device further includes a second collar member having second inner and outer wall surfaces, a second flange projecting from and co-extensive with the second inner wall surface, and a second shoulder projection extending radially from the second outer wall surface. Further, the device includes first and second chafe guard members coupled to the first and second flanges, respectively, and a plurality of thickened wall regions each including an aperture passing transversely therethrough. The thickened wall regions are disposed in the first and second outer wall surfaces and positioned in a spaced-apart relationship about a circumferential axis of the electrical grounding device. A ground lug member is removably coupled to at least one of the plurality of thickened wall regions and a fastener is operably associated with the first and second shoulder projections to removably couple the first and second shoulder projections together. Such coupling configures the first and second chafe guard members to define an opening disposed through the electrical grounding device.
In a further aspect of the current invention, an electrical grounding system includes a ground pipe partially buried in the earth and having an open end thereof and at least one ground wire electrically coupled to an electrically conductive structure. The at least one ground wire passes into and through the open end of the ground pipe and electrically grounded to earth. The electrical grounding system further includes an electrical grounding device removably coupled to and in an abutting relationship with the open end of the ground pipe. The electrical grounding device includes a first collar member having first inner and outer wall surfaces, a first flange projecting from the first inner wall surface, and a first shoulder projection extending radially from the first outer wall surface. The electrical grounding device further includes a second collar member having second inner and outer wall surfaces, a second flange projecting from the second inner wall surface, and a second shoulder projection extending radially from the second outer wall surface. Further, the device includes a thickened wall region including an aperture passing transversely therethrough. The thickened wall region is disposed in the outer wall surface of at least one of the first and second collar members. A fastener is operably associated with the first and second shoulder projections to removably couple the first and second shoulder projections together. Such coupling configures the first and second inner wall surfaces to define an opening disposed through the electrical grounding device.
Other objects of the present invention, as well as particular features, elements, and advantages thereof, will be elucidated or become apparent from, the following description, appending claims, and the accompanying drawing figures.
The foregoing and other features and advantages of the disclosure are apparent from the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments, read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings; wherein like structural or functional elements may be designated by like reference numerals.
As best seen in
A central opening 20 is defined by the inner wall surface 13 and an inner surface of the flange 16, as illustrated in
Each of the first and second collar members 12, 14 has first and second diametrically opposed shoulder projections 22, 24 that extend outward radially therefrom. Each of the first and second shoulder projections has an opening 25 passing transversely therethrough as shown in
In one embodiment, fastener 26 is engaged through the opening 25 and tightened in order to mate the first and second collar members 12, 14 by bringing the first and second shoulder projections 22, 24 into intimate contact with each other. One or both of the openings 25 in each of the shoulder projections 22, 24 may be threaded. The fasteners 26 contemplated as being within the scope of the present invention, include by way of example and not limitation, a screw, a bolt, a nut associated with a screw or a bolt, an engaging pin, such as a cotter pin, or a clasp-type or press fit arrangement that would engage an opposing shoulder projection and hold opposing shoulder projections 22, 24 in contact with each other.
When the fastener 26 is engaged and secured, each of the first and second collar members 12, 14 are joined to form the electrical grounding device 10, as shown in
In one embodiment, as shown in
In one embodiment, a ground wire seat 37 projects from the ground lug base 34 and may be generally perpendicular thereto. A ground lug projection 35 projects outwardly from the ground lug base 34 and includes an end section that is generally parallel to an outer surface of the thickened wall region 28 to which the ground lug member 30 is attached. The end section of the ground lug projection 35 includes a threaded opening disposed therethrough to accommodate a retention member, for example, a ground lug set screw 38. The ground lug set screw 38 passes transversely through the end section and is generally parallel to the diametric axis of the electrical grounding device 10. When fully engaged, the ground lug set screw 38 impinges upon and/or contacts a collar ground wire 48 to retain the collar ground wire 48 between the ground wire seat 37 and the ground lug projection 35. Other embodiments include other configurations for attaching the collar ground wire 48 to the ground lug member as may be known in the art.
In use, the first and second collar members 12, 14 are decoupled from each other and fitted in abutting relationship over an end of a ground pipe 44 that is adjacent a building 42, as depicted in
An improved electrical grounding system and device are presented. The device includes two members that join to form a collar having a chafe guard member electrically and mechanically isolating an interior surface of the collar from grounding wires disposed therethrough. A removable ground lug member is joinable to an exterior surface of the collar.
While the present invention has been described with reference to its preferred embodiments, those of ordinary skill in the art will understand and appreciate that variations in materials, dimensions, geometries, and fabrication methods may be or become known in the art, yet still remain within the scope of the present invention which is limited only by the claims appended hereto. It is understood, therefore, that this disclosure is not limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but it is intended to cover modifications that may include a combination of features illustrated in one or more embodiments with features illustrated in any other embodiments. Various modifications, equivalent processes, as well as numerous structures to which the present disclosure may be applicable will be readily apparent to those of skill in the art to which the present disclosure is directed upon review of the present specification. Accordingly, this description is to be construed as illustrative only and is presented for the purpose of enabling those skilled in the art to make and use the electrical grounding system and device described herein and to teach the best mode of carrying out the same.
The present application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/234,228, filed Aug. 14, 2009, which is hereby incorporated in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61234228 | Aug 2009 | US |
