Tamper resistant electrical ground block
View Patent ↗A tamper-resistant electrical ground block includes a ground block chassis that is looped over a port structure so that an installer has to use a security-type wrench to tighten or loosen coaxial cable connectors from the port structure. A ground clamp, one-piece with the chassis, accommodates a wide range of ground wire sizes.
1. A tamper-resistant electrical ground block, comprising:
a ground block chassis;
a support connected to the chassis;
a ground clamp connected to the chassis; and
a port structure connected to the support;
wherein the chassis is looped over the port structure such that a security wrench is required to tighten a coaxial cable connector onto the port structure.
2. A ground block according to claim 1 , wherein the chassis, support, and ground clamp are all one-piece.
3. A ground block according to claim 2 , wherein the chassis of stainless steel.
4. A ground block according to claim 1 , wherein the chassis includes two holes which permit first and second coaxial cable connectors to access the port structure.
5. A ground block according to claim 1 , wherein the ground clamp accepts a range of ground wire sizes.
6. A ground block according to claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of screws which enable fastening the ground block onto a structure, one of which screws secures a ground wire in the ground clamp.
7. A tamper-resistant electrical ground block, comprising:
a ground block chassis;
support means for supporting a port structure within the chassis;
a ground clamp connected to the chassis; and
prevention means for preventing a coaxial cable connector from being tightened onto the port structure without the aid of a security wrench.
8. A ground block according to claim 1 , wherein the chassis, support means, and ground clamp are all one-piece.
9. A ground block according to claim 8 , wherein the chassis of stainless steel.
10. A ground block according to claim 7 , wherein the chassis includes two holes which permit first and second coaxial cable connectors to access the port structure.
11. A ground block according to claim 7 , wherein the ground clamp accepts a range of ground wire sizes.
12. A ground block according to claim 7 , further comprising a plurality of screws which enable fastening the ground block onto a structure, one of which screws secures a ground wire in the ground clamp.
13. A method for manufacturing a tamper-resistant electrical ground block, comprising the steps of:
providing a workpiece of a conductive material;
forming a plurality of screw holes in the workpiece and a corresponding plurality of screw access holes in the workpiece;
forming a plurality of access holes in the workpiece to accommodate a corresponding plurality of coaxial cable connectors;
forming a support from a first portion of the workpiece;
forming a ground clamp from a second portion of the workpiece;
press-fitting a port structure into the support, wherein the port structure includes a plurality of threaded sections for connecting the plurality of coaxial cable connectors onto the port structure; and
looping the workpiece around the port structure such that a security wrench is required to tighten the plurality of coaxial cable connectors onto the plurality of threaded sections of the port structure.
14. A method according to claim 13 , wherein the workpiece is of stainless steel.
15. A method according to claim 13 , wherein the plurality of screw access holes permit a plurality of screws to fasten the ground block onto a structure, one of which screws secures a ground wire in the ground clamp.