IP Library Granted Patent US 10,014,626
Granted Patent B1
US 10,014,626 · App. 15/617,661 · Granted Jul 3, 2018

Compression connector for terminating grounding electrodes

Inventor: Thomas J. Gretz (Delray Beach, FL)
Assignee: ARLINGTON INDUSTRIES, INC.
H01R13/622H01R13/5825H01R13/595H01R4/38H01R4/44
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,014,626
App. No.
15/617,661
Granted
Jul 3, 2018
Kind
B1
Abstract

A compression connector including a tubular connector body with a through bore, a flange, a leading end and a trailing end for connecting ground conductors to a load center. A nose extends from the flange to the leading end and a trailing body portion extends to the trailing end. A boss on the connector body includes a threaded bore and an opening on each side of the boss. A screw within the threaded bore of the boss holds a clip to the connector body. The clip includes two legs with arcuate ends that bisect the through bore. Insertion of a grounding electrode conductor into the through bore and tightening of the clip enables a secure connection of the conductor grounding electrode to the connector body. A threaded nose and a locknut are provided on the compression connector to facilitate attachment of the leading end of the connector body to a knockout aperture in a load center.

Claims (45)

1. A compression connector, comprising:

a tubular connector body including a leading end, a trailing end, a top wall, a flange, a trailing body portion, and a through bore including a central axis;

a boss on said trailing body portion of said connector body;

an opening in said connector body;

a clip including a leg, said leg extending into said opening of said connector body;

a screw for maintaining alignment of said clip with respect to said connector body and enabling adjustment of a distance of insertion of said leg of said clip within said opening;

another opening in said connector body,

a first of said openings adjacent a leading wall of said boss;

a second of said openings adjacent a trailing wall of said boss; and

said openings are centered laterally on the connector body along a center axis and are aligned longitudinally along the connector body with the center axis of the openings substantially parallel with the central axis of the connector body;

two legs on said clip, each of said legs extending through a corresponding one of said openings in said connector body; and

said clip is U-shaped.

2. The compression connector of claim 1 , further comprising:

a leading wall and a trailing wall on said boss; and

a nose on said leading end of said connector body.

3. The compression connector of claim 1 , further comprising:

an arcuate end on each leg of said clip; and

said arcuate end is substantially perpendicular to said central axis of said connector body.

4. A compression connector, comprising:

a tubular connector body including a nose, leading end, a trailing end, a top wall, a flange, a trailing body portion, and a through bore including a central axis;

a boss on said trailing body portion of said connector body, said boss including a threaded bore;

an opening in said connector body;

a clip including a leg, said leg extending into said opening of said connector body;

a screw for maintaining alignment of said clip with respect to said connector body and enabling adjustment of a distance of insertion of said leg of said clip within said opening;

a stop wall on said boss, said stop wall arresting advancement of the screw into the threaded bore;

a bottom wall on said trailing body portion;

a bottom surface on said stop wall;

said bottom surface of said stop wall is recessed from said bottom wall of said trailing body portion;

a wide bore in said nose of said connector body; and

said wide bore is of a larger diameter than said through bore;

arcuate corners on said connector body in said wide bore;

beveled edges on said trailing end of said connector body; and

a flat top and beveled corners on said boss.

5. A compression connector, comprising:

a tubular connector body including a leading end, a trailing end, a top wall, a flange, and a through bore including a central axis;

a boss extending from said top wall of said connector body, said boss including a leading wall, a threaded bore, and a trailing wall;

an opening in said connector body;

a nose on said leading end of said connector body;

a trailing body portion on said trailing end of said connector body;

a clip including a leg extending into said opening of said connector body;

a screw for maintaining alignment of said clip with respect to said connector body and enabling adjustment of a distance of insertion of said leg of said clip within said opening; and

a stop wall on said boss, said stop wall arresting advancement of the screw into the threaded bore;

a bottom wall on said trailing body portion;

a bottom surface on said stop wall; and

said bottom surface of said stop wall is recessed from said bottom wall of said trailing body portion.

Assignments (2)
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Apr 1, 2026
From: ARLINGTON INDUSTRIES, LLC
To: ANTARES CAPITAL LP
Reel/Frame 075416/0848 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 8, 2017
From: GRETZ, THOMAS J.
To: ARLINGTON INDUSTRIES, INC.
Reel/Frame 042654/0100 →
Continuity (1)
Provisional Application 62348162 · Jun 10, 2016