IP Library › Granted Patent US 10,177,551
Granted Patent B1
US 10,177,551 · App. 15/725,668 · Granted Jan 8, 2019

Grounding system

Inventors: Allen Garrett Smith (Johnstown, PA); Gregory Stephen Platt (Windber, PA); Timothy Joseph Wedding (Johnstown, PA)
Assignee: Cambria County Association for the Blind and Handicapped
H02G7/22H01R4/34H02G7/053H01R11/12H01R11/26H02S40/36
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,177,551
App. No.
15/725,668
Granted
Jan 8, 2019
Kind
B1
Abstract

A grounding system, structured to ground a number of cables supported by a support assembly, includes a multi-function line assembly and a number of conductive mounting assemblies. Each conductive mounting assembly is structured to be coupled to the multi-function line and to a conductive pile.

Claims (32)

1. A grounding system structured to ground a number of cables supported by a support assembly, said support assembly including a plurality of spaced, conductive piles, said grounding system comprising:

a multi-function line assembly including a multi-function line;

a number of conductive mounting assemblies, each said conductive mounting assembly structured to be coupled to said multi-function line and to a conductive pile; and

wherein said multi-function line assembly is coupled to, and in electrical communication with, said number of conductive mounting assemblies.

2. The grounding system of claim 1 wherein:

each said conductive mounting assembly includes a mounting body, a support coupling, and a number of multi-function line couplings; and

each said multi-function line coupling defines a conductive path.

3. The grounding system of claim 2 wherein each said mounting body is one of a conductive body or a conductive body assembly.

4. The grounding system of claim 3 wherein each said mounting body has a simplified shape.

5. The grounding system of claim 2 wherein:

each said mounting body is a conductive body; and

each said mounting body conductive body is a partially conductive body.

6. The grounding system of claim 2 wherein each said multi-function line coupling is a clamping assembly.

7. The grounding system of claim 6 wherein each said multi-function line coupling includes one of a clam-shell assembly, a split bolt, a U-bolt, or a lay-in lug assembly.

8. The grounding system of claim 2 wherein:

said number of multi-function line couplings includes a plurality of multi-function line couplings; and

each said multi-function line coupling spaced one of a first effective distance, a second effective distance, or a third effective distance from another multi-function line coupling.

9. The grounding system of claim 1 wherein said multi-function line assembly does not include any grounding splices.

10. The grounding system of claim 1 wherein said multi-function line assembly does not include any medial grounding splices.

11. The grounding system of claim 1 wherein said multi-function line includes one of a highly conductive body or a partially conductive body.

12. The grounding system of claim 1 wherein said multi-function line includes strands selected from the group consisting of: copper strands, copper-clad steel strands, galvanized strands, conductive alloy strands, partially conductive, alloy strands, or composite strands.

13. The grounding system of claim 12 wherein said multi-function line assembly terminal support includes a conductive thimble-eye.

14. The grounding system of claim 13 wherein said multi-function line is structured to be operational with solar electrical equipment.

15. The grounding system of claim 13 wherein said multi-function line assembly does not include any grounding splices.

16. The grounding system of claim 13 wherein said multi-function line assembly does not include any medial grounding splices.

17. The grounding system of claim 13 wherein said multi-function line includes one of a highly conductive body or a partially conductive body.

18. The grounding system of claim 1 wherein said multi-function line assembly includes a conductive terminal support.

19. A mounting assembly for a grounding system structured to ground a number of cables supported by a support assembly, said support assembly including a plurality of spaced, conductive piles, said grounding system including a multi-function line assembly with a multi-function line, said mounting assembly comprising:

a mounting body, a support coupling, and a number of multi-function line couplings;

each said multi-function line couplings structured to be coupled to said multi-function line;

each said support coupling structured to be coupled to a conductive pile; and

wherein, when said multi-function line assembly is coupled to, and in electrical communication with said multi-function line couplings, each said multi-function line coupling defines a conductive path.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 5, 2017
From: PLATT, GREGORY STEPHEN; SMITH, ALLEN GARRETT; WEDDING, TIMOTHY JOSEPH
To: CAMBRIA COUNTY ASSOCIATION FOR THE BLIND AND HANDICAPPED
Reel/Frame 043797/0011 →
Cited By (3)
US 12,294,206 US 12,646,918 US 12,738,723