Earth Grounds Patents (Class 174/6)
  • Patent number: 7919711
    Abstract: A utility pole grounding plate including a main section and a plurality of flaps. The main section has a general plate shape adapted to be connected around an outer curved surface of a utility pole. The flaps extend outward from an exterior side of the main section. The flaps are formed by material cut and bent from the main section such that the flaps are integral with the main section. The main section has apertures corresponding to the cut and bent material of the flaps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Assignee: Hubbell Incorporated
    Inventor: Bernard C. Crutcher
  • Patent number: 7915525
    Abstract: A lightning direction device is provided. The lightning direction device includes a drag member, a pendant mass and a conductor. The drag member is configured to have a select amount of wind resistance. The pendant mass has a select weight and shape. Moreover, the conductor is coupled between the pendant mass and the drag member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Alliant Techsystems Inc.
    Inventor: John S. Canham
  • Patent number: 7902455
    Abstract: Provided is a lighting arrester capable of preventing damage caused by a lightning by discharging charges charged by approach of a thundercloud. The lightning arrester includes: a conductive rod installed at an upper part of an object to be protected from a lightning and connected to a ground part; a charge pipe having a cylindrical shape, formed of an insulating body to be insulated from the rod, and electrically charged with charges having a polarity opposite to ground charges; and a plurality of charge pins disposed on the charge pipe such that space charges in the air are charged to the pins by a thundercloud.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Inventor: Young-Ki Chung
  • Patent number: 7855337
    Abstract: Power pedestals are provided with an electrical ground connection to rebar encased in a foundation slab of a facility to thereby establish a EUFER ground for the power pedestal. Many pieces of rebar may be present within the foundation slab and may be interconnected to form a rebar network. In addition to the EUFER ground provided by the rebar, other grounding techniques may also be included such as a ground ring formed by ground rods spaced around the foundation slab and interconnected by a buried conductor that encircles the foundation slab. The rebar may be electrically connected to the ground ring to establish the conductivity to the earth. The power pedestal and EUFER ground may be present at various facilities, such as those including outdoor electronics equipment closures such as remote terminals and base stations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventor: John Scherer
  • Patent number: 7832088
    Abstract: A method for using a segmented grounding system, including a bit including a coupling portion at a first end, and a generally tapered second end, a shaft with a first end configured to couple to the coupling portion of the bit, and a second end comprising a receiving structure, and a tool configured to couple to the receiving structure of the second end of the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: E & S Grounding Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: David R. Stockin, Michael Esparza
  • Publication number: 20100263897
    Abstract: A grounding assembly for electronic equipment provides a discharge path for the energy arising from lightning strikes. A conductive strap connects the ground lug of the equipment to a ground plate buried in the earth. The conductive strap has a length, width and thickness, with the width being greater than the thickness. This reduces the inductance of the conductor from the controller to the ground plate, thereby enhancing the ability of the grounding assembly to dissipate energy from lightning strikes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2009
    Publication date: October 21, 2010
    Inventor: Vincent Nolletti
  • Publication number: 20100230125
    Abstract: A return path between a first HVDC station and a second HVDC station. A first electrode is connected to the first station and a second electrode is connected to the second station. The return path includes a first part including a first low resistive zone through the crust of the earth in which the first electrode is embedded. A second part includes the earth mantle. A third part includes a second low resistive zone through the crust of the earth in which the second electrode is embedded.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2006
    Publication date: September 16, 2010
    Applicant: ABB Technology Ltd.
    Inventors: Gunnar Asplund, Olof Heyman, Urban Åström
  • Patent number: 7795530
    Abstract: The invention relates to a system (1) for conducting lightning currents and/or fault currents away from a roof area (2) and/or façade area of a building (3) to the ground (4). According to the invention, the system is equipped with at least one strip (5), which is laid in the roof area (2) and/or façade area of the building (3) and at least one potential compensation system for the building (3). The strip (5) comprises at least one electrically conductive layer for shielding electromagnetic radiation and the strip (5) is connected to the potential compensation system in such a way that lightning currents and/or fault currents can be conducted away via the strip (5) and the building potential to the ground (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Ewald Dörken AG
    Inventors: Jörn Schröer, Gilles Schwaab, Peter Heinz Raidt
  • Publication number: 20100224385
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are apparatus, methods, and systems for grounding outdoor light poles, as well as other structures, which may be exposed to lightning or other adverse electrical effects and may require a low impedance path to ground. Inventive aspects include a combination of apparatus integral to the pole or other structure and installation considerations whereby the ease of installation, reduction of onsite installation error, and reduction of impedance may be tailored to each installation. An apparatus can include a pre-installed earth grounding electrode at the lower end of the pole or structure to be inserted into the earth. A method can include installing an earth grounding electrode to/on/in a lower end of a pole or structure prior to insertion into the earth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2010
    Publication date: September 9, 2010
    Applicant: MUSCO CORPORATION
    Inventors: MYRON GORDIN, DAVID L. BARKER, GABRIEL P. GROMOTKA, GREGORY N. KUBBE
  • Patent number: 7786377
    Abstract: The invention of the present application provides a device that includes an assembly of a toroid and a rod with one or several pointed ends; and a filter system; wherein, around the pointed end or the pointed ends of the rod, an electrical field is formed with air ionization, wherein in the space around the toroid formation of electrical fields and air ionization are minimized, wherein the pointed end projects out above the toroid level, and wherein the filter system attenuates the electrical discharge of lightning rays. The device of the present invention is connected to a low resistance cable that goes to ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Inventor: Humberto Arenas Barragan
  • Publication number: 20100175904
    Abstract: A grounding vault including a container with an open top. The container is formed from an electrically non-conductive material and is adapted for burial in the ground. The container is provided with an access port for the passage of grounding wires. The container is also provided with a pair of opposed slots adjacent the access port. A buss bar, formed of an electrically conductive material, is positioned so as to extend through the container. The buss bar has a pair of opposed ends for connecting to ground. The opposed ends extend respectively through the opposed slots in the container such that they project outwardly from the container. Between its opposed ends, the buss bar is provided with a number of bores for connecting the buss bar to grounding wires passing through the access port. A lid is removably positioned atop the container for closing the open top thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2009
    Publication date: July 15, 2010
    Inventor: Robert J. Hebert
  • Patent number: 7732707
    Abstract: An installation structure of a ground rod for driving the rod deep into the ground comprising an overhead earth wire installed to protect transformers, power-transmission lines, etc. from lightning; a ground wire that is extended from a lightning arrester to a ground; a multi-stage ground rod elongated by a thread type connection and connected with the end of the ground wire that it is buried into the ground; and a connecting sleeve for connecting the ground rod to the ground wire, the electric conductive compound preventing corrosion in the thread connection including a lead terminal side junction of the and a ground wire side junction of the connecting sleeve. Corrosion of the gap between junctions is inhibited by inserting electric conductive compound into the junctions of the lead terminal side and of the ground wire side of the ground wire connecting sleeve, increasing ground rod lifetimes and decreasing maintenance costs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Korea Electric Power Corporation
    Inventor: Geun Hwan Kim
  • Patent number: 7683254
    Abstract: An electrical connection unit includes an electrical junction box that incorporates a capacitor and has (a) a body that has an electronic component accommodating space accommodating the capacitor via an opening; and an electric wire receiving space receiving an electric wire electrically connected to a terminal of the capacitor, and (b) an electrically conductive grounding member that grounds a grounding terminal of the capacitor and integrally includes: a connecting portion electrically connected to the grounding terminal; a cover portion covering the opening of the electronic component accommodating space; a locking to be locked with corresponding locking portions of the body; a bending preventing portion preventing inward bending one of the locking portions of the body which may cause one of the locking portions of the grounding member to be accidentally detached from the corresponding locking portion of the body; and a grounding portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventor: Tomohiko Shimizu
  • Patent number: 7655861
    Abstract: A surge protector which has a metal grounding plate having holes and tubular sleeve guides, standard UL-approved ground rods that are inserted through the sleeve guides and are affixed to the sleeve guides using a durable exothermic weld, and leads attached at one end to the grounding plate also using an exothermic weld to affix any number of grounding devices, traditional ground rings, electronic equipment, structures, sites or combinations thereof. The durable exothermic weld is a permanent connection that stands in contrast to commonly used mechanical connections. The present invention also has a minimal footprint requirement allowing for placement in areas where space limitations are unsuitable for placement of conventional grounding rings. The present invention can be used in combination with or in lieu of conventional grounding rings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Inventor: Wayne C. Duley
  • Patent number: 7652865
    Abstract: An earthing device which needs not be buried under the ground is provided. The earthing device includes an earthing panel and a discharging device mounted inside the earthing panel. The discharging device includes at least one electrode plate, multiple discharging electrodes coupled to the electrode plate, and catalyst filled between the discharging electrodes. Since an earth electrode needs not be buried under the ground, it requires less construction costs, time and area, and environmental pollution (especially, soil pollution) does not happen. Further, the earthing device can be simply and economically installed regardless of place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2010
    Assignee: Ground Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jea Wook Woo, Jin Seok Huh, Seungjoon Ahn, Seong Joon Ahn, Chul Geun Park, Ho Sub Son, Jin Seok Jin, Hyung Gu Jeon
  • Publication number: 20090301747
    Abstract: A land electrode for a high voltage direct current transmission system including a converter station with a grounding point. The land electrode is connected to the grounding point and includes a plurality of electrode sections. Each electrode section includes at least one electrode element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2005
    Publication date: December 10, 2009
    Applicant: ABB Technology Ltd.
    Inventors: Gunnar Asplund, Gunnar Flisberg, Lars Weimers, Urban Åström, Jan Lundquist, Dan Karlsson
  • Publication number: 20090229847
    Abstract: An earthing arrangement for a DC electrical system (10), the electrical system (10) comprises a plurality of earthing points (24A, 24B, 24C) and each earthing point (24A, 24B, 24C) is directly and permanently connected to earth (26) by a high impedance connection (28A, 28B, 28C). Each earthing point (24A, 24B, 24C) is selectively connectable to earth (26) in electrical parallel with the high impedance connection (28A, 28B, 28C) by a solid connection (30A, 30B, 30C) and a switch (32A, 32B, 32C). In first mode of operation the switch (32A) between the earthing point (24A) and the earth (26) of only one of the plurality of earthing points (24A, 24B, 24C) is closed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2009
    Publication date: September 17, 2009
    Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE PLC
    Inventors: Stephen A. Long, David R. Trainer, Linhua Hu, Huw L. Edwards
  • Publication number: 20090084569
    Abstract: Power pedestals are provided with an electrical ground connection to rebar encased in a foundation slab of a facility to thereby establish a EUFER ground for the power pedestal. Many pieces of rebar may be present within the foundation slab and may be interconnected to form a rebar network. In addition to the EUFER ground provided by the rebar, other grounding techniques may also be included such as a ground ring formed by ground rods spaced around the foundation slab and interconnected by a buried conductor that encircles the foundation slab. The rebar may be electrically connected to the ground ring to establish the conductivity to the earth. The power pedestal and EUFER ground may be present at various facilities, such as those including outdoor electronics equipment closures such as remote terminals and base stations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2007
    Publication date: April 2, 2009
    Inventor: John Scherer
  • Patent number: 7495168
    Abstract: Disclosed therein is an electric dipole streamer discharge type lightning conductor, which can gather electric charges in the atmospheric air at one side thereof and generate an electric discharge due to a dielectric breakdown when a potential difference is formed between the electric charges gathered by an electric dipole and the electric charges of the earth so as to emit a great deal of electric charges of the earth toward thunderclouds to thereby induce a thunderbolt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: Sunkwang LTI Inc
    Inventor: Woo-Heon Park
  • Publication number: 20080308288
    Abstract: A utility pole grounding plate including a main section and a plurality of flaps. The main section has a general plate shape adapted to be connected around an outer curved surface of a utility pole. The flaps extend outward from an exterior side of the main section. The flaps are formed by material cut and bent from the main section such that the flaps are integral with the main section. The main section has apertures corresponding to the cut and bent material of the flaps.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2008
    Publication date: December 18, 2008
    Inventor: Bernard C. Crutcher
  • Patent number: 7465874
    Abstract: An electrical grounding strip has a first link and a second link, wherein the second link is connected directly to the first link, and each of the first and second links has a portion lying substantially in a plane and has at least one electrically conductive spike attached to the portion. The spike projects generally orthogonally to the plane of the link portion. An electrically conductive ground strap is in electrically conductive contact with the spikes of each of the first and second links.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2008
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventor: Michael R. Obleman, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7462776
    Abstract: An all stainless steel grounding electrode uses a coating of stainless steel for an upper collar which has a dual purpose cable connector. The cable connector can accommodate a cable lug and bolt connection or a cad weld connection. A cap for the collar has a one quarter turn dual heavy duty thread set to prevent corrosion from locking up the cap. An osmotic material is placed and replaced in the grounding electrode via the cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2008
    Assignee: Lightning Eliminators & Consultants, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Carpenter, legal representative, Nathan M. Mascarenas, Darwin N. Sletten, Roy B. Carpenter, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7456356
    Abstract: A grounding clip is a shelf-grounding device includes a resilient conductive clip that installs onto a fully assembled shelving unit, providing a plurality of electrical connections between the shelf and post to reduce the risks from electrostatic discharge, or ESD. The clip can be installed and removed without the use of tools and is held securely in place when attached. Since the clip is attached after the shelving unit is assembled, less skill is required by the installer during the installation or reconfiguration process. The clip is reusable and provides electrical connectivity between the shelf and post regardless of whether the shelving unit was assembled with conductive or plastic split sleeves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2008
    Inventor: Scott Newman
  • Publication number: 20080217041
    Abstract: The present invention provides a grounding wire structure having a stainless steel covering and a method of manufacturing the grounding wire structure. In the present invention, first and second hollow connection frames (4) and (4?), each of which has a compressing groove (4a), (4a?) and an internal thread (4b), (4b?), are coupled to respective opposite ends of a stainless steel pipe (1), in which a grounding wire (2) is provided, and which is filled with graphite (3). Corrugated grooves are formed in the outer surface of the stainless steel pipe (1). A connection socket (5) is coupled to the internal thread (4b) of the first connection frame (4). A connection rod (6) is coupled to the internal thread (4b?) of the second connection frame (4?). Discharge tip assemblies (A), each of which has discharge tip bodies (7) and (7?) connected to each other through a connection pin (8), are fitted over the corrugated grooves of the stainless steel covering pipe (1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2005
    Publication date: September 11, 2008
    Inventor: Kui-Yeun Kim
  • Publication number: 20080173461
    Abstract: A method for using a segmented grounding system, including a bit including a coupling portion at a first end, and a generally tapered second end, a shaft with a first end configured to couple to the coupling portion of the bit, and a second end comprising a receiving structure, and a tool configured to couple to the receiving structure of the second end of the shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2007
    Publication date: July 24, 2008
    Inventors: David R. Stockin, Michael Esparza
  • Publication number: 20080164046
    Abstract: A surge protector which has a metal grounding plate having holes and tubular sleeve guides, standard UL-approved ground rods that are inserted through the sleeve guides and are affixed to the sleeve guides using a durable exothermic weld, and leads attached at one end to the grounding plate also using an exothermic weld to affix any number of grounding devices, traditional ground rings, electronic equipment, structures, sites or combinations thereof. The durable exothermic weld is a permanent connection that stands in contrast to commonly used mechanical connections. The present invention also has a minimal footprint requirement allowing for placement in areas where space limitations are unsuitable for placement of conventional grounding rings. The present invention can be used in combination with or in lieu of conventional grounding rings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Publication date: July 10, 2008
    Inventor: Wayne C. Duley
  • Patent number: 7385140
    Abstract: A grounding conductor 1 is composed of a conductive metal portion 2 and a conductive casing portion 3 that covers the conductive metal portion 2. The conductive casing portion 3 has a specific resistance of 0.01 to 0. (?·m). Since the grounding conductor 1 is composed of the conductive metal portion 2 and the conductive casing portion 3 that covers the conductive metal portion 2, the conductive metal portion 2 is connected to the earth via the conductive casing portion 3. The conductive metal portion 2 does not contact directly with the earth but is electrically connected to the earth via the conductive casing portion 3. This prevents the conductive metal portion 2 from being corroded. It is also possible to avoid a disconnection in the conductive metal portion 2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2008
    Assignee: Sankosha Corporation
    Inventors: Makoto Ishizaki, Minoru Yoneda, Junichi Takabe
  • Publication number: 20080094774
    Abstract: A grounding apparatus for connecting electrical equipment to ground comprises a plate comprising a top surface, a bottom surface and first and second end portions. Typically. the plate is connected to opposing support legs, such that an open space is provided under the bottom surface of the plate. The top surface of the plate may comprise one or more raised surfaces and also define a plurality of apertures for use in securing one or more lugs to the plate. The grounding apparatus optionally comprises a port connected thereto and comprising an exterior surface defining an opening for receiving a plug.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2007
    Publication date: April 24, 2008
    Applicant: PANDUIT CORP.
    Inventor: Robert G. Bucciferro
  • Publication number: 20080047725
    Abstract: Provided are an equipotential ground system and a method of constructing the same capable of equalizing potential of all positions when the ground system is configured in a mesh manner. The equipotential ground system includes: a mesh having a plurality of row lines, and a plurality of column lines installed to cross the row lines to form intersection parts electrically connected to the row and column lines; first ground rods connected to corners of the mesh; and a plurality of second ground rods having a larger ground resistance than the first ground rods and connected to the outermost intersection parts of the mesh, which are disposed between the first ground rods.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2006
    Publication date: February 28, 2008
    Inventors: Young-ki Chung, Kang-su Lee
  • Patent number: 7282637
    Abstract: Exemplary embodiments provided herein may include segmented grounding system, including a bit including a coupling portion at a first end, and a generally tapered second end, a shaft with a first end configured to couple to the coupling portion of the bit, and a second end comprising a receiving structure, and a tool configured to couple to the receiving structure of the second end of the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2007
    Assignee: E&S Grounding Solutions
    Inventors: David R. Stockin, Michael Esparza
  • Patent number: 7230179
    Abstract: A stray voltage suppression device includes a motor-driven conductive vane which rotates in planes oriented at least substantially parallel to the ground, with the motor casing being connected to the ground below. The device has been found useful to reduce or eliminate stray voltage about the area at which it is installed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2007
    Inventor: Scott Martin Ertl
  • Patent number: 7189312
    Abstract: An earthing electrode assembly and method for providing a submerged electrical apparatus with an earth path, the electrode assembly having an earthing electrode, an attachment device for attaching the electrode assembly to a cable, and an insulated electrical connection for connecting the earthing electrode to the submerged electrical apparatus. The connection is formed to be of sufficient length for the submerged electrical apparatus to be protected from electrochemical effects resulting from operation of the earthing electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2007
    Assignee: Alcatel
    Inventors: Ian Gerard Watson, Philip Andrew Norman, David Lancelot Walters, Peter Worthington
  • Patent number: 7173181
    Abstract: A coupling set for connecting a ground plate for arrest of lightning is provided, in which the ground plate is embedded underground below an electric pole in order to effectively arrest lightning. Accordingly, lightning can be effectively grounded. The connection members are connected with each other top and bottom and left and right. The lowest connection member is supported below an electric pole. Thus, when the electric pole is buried, a coupling set having connection members for connecting a ground plate is not be pushed up. Also, it is very easy to connect a lightning arrest copper wire with a ground terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Inventor: Joon-Young Park
  • Patent number: 7170002
    Abstract: A junction for joining a first section of conduit to a second section of conduit is described. The junction has a body, which has a first connecting portion for connecting a respective first section of conduit to said body and has a second connecting portion for connecting a second respective section of conduit to said body. The body defines a volume extending between the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion. The junction also has a lid which is engagable with the body and is adapted to close the aperture. The junction also has at least one earth connector which is located within the body and has at least one channel adapted to receive at least one earthed electrical cable in electrical contact with the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Inventor: Richard John Thompson
  • Patent number: 7138579
    Abstract: A flexible grounding strip includes an electrically conductive strip having an elongated base, opposite sides of which extend to respective flanges spaced from the base. Each flange extends from one side of the base and terminates at an edge generally facing the opposed side of the base. The edges are spaced from each other. Each of the opposite sides have lengthwise spaced slots extending partly across the base towards the opposite side of the base. The slots extending from one side of the base are interleaved with slots extending from the opposite side of the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2006
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: George D. Megason, Thomas T. Hardt
  • Patent number: 7112742
    Abstract: To maintain an interior environment in an environment in which negative ions are abundant, and to stably maintain the environment at a higher level with maintaining an efficacy of the charcoal included in a paint containing a charcoal powder applied to a wall face in a room, a floor face in the room is formed by an insulator and the wall face is made to have a grounding electric potential by connecting it to a grounding electrode buried in a ground according to a method of the invention. The grounding electrode device includes a main body formed in a bottomed tubular body by a metal, and a charcoal and a catalyst are accommodated in the main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2006
    Assignee: Healthcoat Clearway Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Michiharu Yoshimatsu
  • Patent number: 7098398
    Abstract: An adjustable spring grounding pin for grounding separate parts of an electrical device, for example end shields and a stator of an electric motor, automatically adjusts its circumferential dimension to provide a tight grounding fit between aligned holes of different interior diameters in the end shields and the stator of the device as the grounding pin is driven into the aligned holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Assignee: Emerson Electric Co.
    Inventors: Clifton Wade, III, L. Ranney Dohogne, William R. Lewis
  • Patent number: 6972369
    Abstract: A flexible grounding strip includes elongated electrically conductive strip having a base extending between spaced, opposed sidewalls. At least one of the sidewalls has a flange spaced from the base and extending towards the opposed sidewall. Each of the sidewalls has a series of lengthwise-spaced slots extending widthwise across the sidewall into and at least partly across the base towards the opposed sidewall. The slot dimensions and spacing impart flexibility to enable the strip to bend transversely of its length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2005
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: George D. Megason, Thomas T. Hardt
  • Patent number: 6963026
    Abstract: A ground rod includes first and second ends connected by a shaft portion. The first end has an auger configuration permitting it to be drilled into the ground. The opposite end is adapted to attached to either an electric drill or an impact wrench. This drastically reduces the time required to drive the ground rod into the ground. In an alternate embodiment, the ground rod also adapted to attach to a handle which allows it to be manually inserted or removed from the ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2005
    Inventor: Bob Brennan
  • Patent number: 6933442
    Abstract: A grounding connector having at least a first layer and a second layer. A conductor, such as a grounding wire, is secured between the first layer and the second layer. The first and second layers are made of a material with the same or similar galvanic potentials as the conductor such that galvanic corrosion between the conductor and the first and second layers is minimized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Assignee: Senior Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: George J. Franks, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6916983
    Abstract: A grounding electrode suited for installation in very hard or rocky soil is a long conductive metal rod having a drilling bit at one end and a head adapted to mate with a drilling tool, preferably a hammer drill. The grounding electrode, together with a suitable connecting wire and a clamping device clamping the wire to the grounding electrode form an electrical grounding system for a home or commercial structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Assignee: Tocini Industries, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph Orsini, Daniel Toce
  • Patent number: 6864422
    Abstract: A clip includes an integral u-shaped body of insulating material including two parallel fingers joined by a spine to define a gap between the fingers. The fingers have respective holes each sized to receive a screw, the holes being coaxial. At least one of the fingers has a projection that projects into the gap, the hole of the respective finger being contained at least partially within the projection. The body is sufficiently resilient to permit the two parallel fingers to be spread apart.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Assignee: Bose Corporation
    Inventors: Dan Dionne, James May, Charles L. Chisolm, Suresh Chintalapati
  • Patent number: 6815607
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for electrically grounding and supporting poles or posts which are used in electrical and/or telecommunication networks. The system includes a conductive base support affixed at or near the base of the pole and to which the ground wire is attached. The base support not only provides resistance to lateral forces, thereby anchoring the bottom of the pole, but also presents a relatively large surface area for electrical bonding with the soil/earth at the bottom of the pole which facilities grounding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Inventor: Marc Gingras
  • Publication number: 20040154814
    Abstract: A ground rod includes first and second ends connected by a shaft portion. The first end has an auger configuration permitting it to be drilled into the ground. The opposite end is adapted to attached to either an electric drill or an impact wrench. This drastically reduces the time required to drive the ground rod into the ground. In an alternate embodiment, the ground rod also adapted to attach to a handle which allows it to be manually inserted or removed from the ground.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2004
    Publication date: August 12, 2004
    Inventor: Bob Brennan
  • Patent number: 6774305
    Abstract: An electrically self-grounding connector for joining end portions of fluid flow conduit sections, and processes for fabricating two embodiments of the connector. A connector formed according to one process includes an inner layer having electrically conductive, contiguous carbon ribbons, an outer layer with chopped carbon fibers, and a layer of surfacing veil between the inner and outer layers. A connector formed according to the other process has an inner layer of carbon cloth, an outer layer with chopped carbon fibers, and a layer of surfacing veil and putty between the inner and outer layers. In both connectors, highly electrically conductive carbon at the connector inner and outer surfaces acts to dissipate and neutralize electrostatic charges generated by triboelectric processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Inventors: Raymond L. Wellman, Michael S. Cork
  • Patent number: 6747205
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for assisting in the measurement of the earth resistance comprising a ground rod with a wire coiled up on a reel or the like, and electrical connecting means for connecting the wire to the ground rod. To provide such a device which is practical to handle, simple, small, and capable of being produced at low costs, it is provided for the reel or the like to be rotatably mounted on the ground rod. A further improvement results in that the ground rod comprises an offset portion in whose region the reel or the like is rotatably mounted. Preferably, the electrical connecting means between ground rod and wire comprise sliding rings on the rotation axis, the reel or the like. For an rapid exchangeability of the reel, the latter may be mounted on the ground rod by a snap connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Assignee: Lem Norma GmbH
    Inventor: Jurgen Gobelhaider
  • Patent number: 6727430
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus to secure a ground strap assembly to an electrically conductive member are disclosed. In a disclosed example, a ground strap assembly includes a bendable ground strap, and a grounding clip having at least one flange located to substantially prevent rotation of the clip relative to the bendable strap. The example ground strap assembly also includes a fastener securing the grounding clip to the bendable strap. It is not necessary to remove the fastener from the bendable ground strap to secure the ground strap assembly to an electrically conductive member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2004
    Assignee: Senior Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: George J. Franks, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6703556
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for mobile lightning protection. In one embodiment of the present invention, a lightning interception rod is positioned above a vehicle. In one embodiment, the rod connects to four down-conductors to conduct the current supplied by the lightning towards the ground. In one embodiment, the four down-conductors are positioned in a rectangular configuration. In one embodiment, down-conductors are covered by a insulating material. In one embodiment, the insulating material is a 3 mm thick layer of polymer. In one embodiment, one or more chains are attached to the vehicle and allowed to contact the ground. In one embodiment, two chains are attached to the vehicle. One chain is positioned at the front of the vehicle and another chain is positioned at the back of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Inventor: Mat Darveniza
  • Patent number: 6664469
    Abstract: A neutral bar assembly is provided which includes a plurality of neutral bars electrically and structurally secured together with a pair of expanders. Each of the expanders is a unitary member made of an electrically conductive material, having a plurality of forwardly extending legs. Each of the legs fits into one of the bores of one of the neutral bars of the assembly and is secured therein with one of the wire-binding screws of one of the neutral bars.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Assignee: Ilsco Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas M. Sweeney
  • Patent number: 6555742
    Abstract: An earth ground terminal provides an electroconductive substrate part and an electroconductive spring contact which protrudes integrally from one edge of the substrate part toward the side opposite to the substrate part. Through holes which have undergone a burring process are formed in the aforementioned substrate part. The earth ground terminal is used to prevent electromagnetic inductive interference, high-frequency inductive interference, etc. The earth ground terminal is effective when a printed substrate is grounded by a shield plate or a chassis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics Logistics AG
    Inventor: Izuru Kumagai