IP Library › Granted Patent US 8,974,254
Granted Patent B2
US 8,974,254 · App. 13/558,564 · Granted Mar 10, 2015

Grounding connector

Inventors: Matthew Esmacher (Mountclair, VA); Kian Chua (Fairfax, VA); Susitha Jayaratne (Rockville, MD)
Assignee: Washington Gas Light Company
H01R4/38H01R4/32H01R4/64
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,974,254
App. No.
13/558,564
Granted
Mar 10, 2015
Kind
B2
Abstract

Embodiments of the present disclosure include a connector. The connector may include a connection body and an engagement structure. The connection body may include a first support member, a second support member, a base from which the first support member and the second support member extend, wherein the base includes a beveled portion for connecting the connection body to the structure, and a slot defined between the first support member and the second support member and configured to receive a ground line. The engagement structure may be configured to engage the first support member and the second support member and move relative to the base along the first support member and the second support member.

Claims (38)

1. A connector for electrically grounding a structure, the connector comprising:

a connection body including:

a first support member;

a second support member;

a base from which the first support member and the second support member extend, wherein the base includes a beveled portion for connecting the connection body to the structure, wherein the beveled portion extends to a terminal end of the connection body and includes a diameter that decreases along the beveled portion and towards the terminal end of the connection body; and

a slot defined between the first support member and the second support member and configured to receive a ground line; and

an engagement structure configured to engage the first support member and the second support member and move relative to the base along the first support member and the second support member.

2. The connector of claim 1 , wherein the beveled portion defines a recessed space at a bottom end of the base.

3. A connector for electrically grounding a structure, the connector comprising:

a connection body including:

a first support member;

a second support member;

a base from which the first support member and the second support member extend, wherein the base is configured to be coupled to the structure, wherein the base includes a beveled portion for connecting the connection body to the structure, wherein the beveled portion extends to a terminal end of the connection body and includes a diameter that decreases along the beveled portion and towards the terminal end of the connection body; and

a slot defined between the first support member and the second support member and configured to receive a ground line, wherein the slot includes a substantially flat surface disposed on the base for contacting the ground wire; and

an engagement structure configured to engage the first support member and the second support member and move relative to the base along the first support member and the second support member.

4. The connector of claim 1 , wherein the terminal end includes a shape configure to complement a surface of the structure onto which the connector is connected.

5. The connector of claim 4 , wherein the terminal end includes a curved shape.

6. The connector of claim 1 , wherein the slot includes a substantially flat surface disposed on a top end of the base for contacting the ground wire.

7. The connector of claim 6 , wherein the first support member extends from the base at a first interface, and the second support member extends from the base at a second interface, and the flat surface extends between the first interface and the second interface.

8. The connector of claim 7 , wherein an entire exterior surface of the base extends up to the first and second interfaces.

9. The connector of claim 1 , wherein the base includes a substantially cylinder-shaped portion.

10. The connector of claim 1 , wherein the connection body is formed of an electrically conductive material.

11. The connector of claim 4 , wherein the terminal end includes a concave surface.

12. The connector of claim 3 , wherein the flat surface is disposed on a top end of the base.

13. The connector of claim 3 , wherein the flat surface is substantially perpendicular to the first and second support members.

14. The connector of claim 3 , wherein the terminal end includes a concave surface.

15. The connector of claim 3 , wherein the beveled portion defines a recessed space at a bottom end of the base.

16. A connector for electrically grounding a structure, the connector comprising:

a connection body including:

a first support member;

a second support member;

a base configured to couple the connection body to the structure, wherein the first support member extends from the base at a first interface, and the second support member extends from the base at a second interface, wherein the base includes a beveled portion for connecting the connection body to the structure, wherein the beveled portion extends to a terminal end of the connection body and includes a diameter that decreases along the beveled portion and towards the terminal end of the connection body; and

a slot defined between the first support member and the second support member and configured to receive a ground line, wherein the slot includes a surface for contacting the ground line, wherein the surface is disposed on a top end of the base and extends between the first interface and the second interface; and

an engagement structure configured to engage the first support member and the second support member and move relative to the base.

17. The connector of claim 16 , wherein the surface is substantially flat.

18. The connector of claim 17 , wherein the surface is substantially perpendicular to the first and second support members.

19. The connector of claim 16 , wherein the terminal end includes a concave surface.

20. The connector of claim 17 , wherein the engagement structure is configured to move relative to the flat surface along the first support member and the second support member.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 7, 2012
From: ESMACHER, MATTHEW; CHUA, KIAN; JAYARATNE, SUSITHA
To: WASHINGTON GAS LIGHT COMPANY
Reel/Frame 029426/0583 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 61513282 · Jul 29, 2011
Related Publication 20130078851A1 · Mar 28, 2013