# US 10,369,940 B2 · Bracket for and method of forming a wire harness assembly > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,369,940 B2 - Document ID: US10369940B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/124,573 - Filed: 2015-03-10 - Published: 2017-03-23 - Granted: 2019-08-06 - Earliest claimed: 2014-03-10 - Assignees: Bombardier Inc. - Applicants: Bombardier Inc. - Inventors: Martin St-Cyr - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10369940B2 ## CPC - B60R 16/0215: {Protecting, fastening and routing means therefor} - H02G 3/32: using mounting clamps - B60R: VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - H02G: INSTALLATION OF ELECTRIC CABLES OR LINES, OR OF COMBINED OPTICAL AND ELECTRIC CABLES OR LINES ## Abstract A bracket for forming a wire harness assembly prior to installation to a structure of a vehicle includes a conductive body adapted to attach the bracket to the vehicle, an interface portion adapted to attach at least one wire of a wire harness to the body, and at least one ground connector attached to the body. The interface portion is conductively insulated from the body. The at least one ground connector is adapted to electrically connect the wire harness to a ground. A method of forming a wire harness assembly for installation to a structure of a vehicle is also presented. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A bracket for forming a wire harness assembly prior to installation to a structure of a vehicle, the bracket comprising: a conductive body adapted to attach the bracket to the vehicle; an interface portion adapted to attach a plurality of wire bundles of a wire harness to the body, the interface portion being conductively insulated from the body; at least one ground connector attached to the body, the at least one ground connector being adapted to electrically connect the wire harness to a ground; a module connection portion attached to the body, the module connection portion being attachable to a plurality of terminal modules other than the wire bundles; and a bracket support attached to the body, the bracket support being adapted to attach the body to the structure of the vehicle, wherein the conductive body, the interface portion, the at least one ground connector and the module connection portion are attachable to the structure of the vehicle through said bracket support. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The bracket as defined in claim 1, wherein the at least one ground connector includes at least one ground stud. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The bracket as defined in claim 2, wherein the at least one ground stud includes a screw inserted in a stacking of washers, lock-washers and nuts. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The bracket as defined in claim 1, wherein the interface portion includes at least one rack having a plurality of apertures configured to receive a tie connector therein. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The bracket as defined in claim 1, wherein the interface portion includes at least one clamp. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The bracket as defined in claim 1, wherein the interface portion is made of nylon. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The bracket as defined in claim 1, wherein the body is integrally formed. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The bracket as defined in claim 1, wherein the body includes a surface treatment preventing oxidation but allowing electric conduction. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The bracket as defined in claim 1, further comprising the plurality of terminal modules attached to the module connection portion. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The bracket as defined in claim 9, wherein the at least one module includes at least one wire connectable to the at least one ground connector. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The bracket as defined in claim 9, further comprising an intermediate bracket attaching the at least one module to the module connection portion. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The bracket as defined in claim 1, wherein the bracket support is removably attached to the body. ### Claim 13 A method of forming a wire harness assembly for installation to a structure of a vehicle, the method comprising: a) attaching a plurality of wire bundles to a bracket, the bracket comprising a conductive body adapted to attach the bracket to the vehicle, an interface portion adapted to attach at least one wire of the wire harness assembly to the body, the interface portion being conductively insulated from the body, a module connection portion attachable to a plurality of terminal modules other than the wire bundles, and a bracket support attached to the body, the bracket support being adapted to attach the body to the structure of the vehicle; b) connecting at least one of a plurality of electric wires of the wire bundles to at least one ground connector of the bracket; c) attaching the plurality of terminal modules to the module connection portion; wherein steps a), b) and c) are performed outside of the structure of the vehicle, and wherein the conductive body, the interface portion, the at least one ground connector and the module connection portion are attachable to the structure of the vehicle through said bracket support. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The method as defined in claim 13, wherein steps a) and b) result in obtaining a wire harness assembly for attachment to the structure of the vehicle. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The method as defined in claim 13, further comprising, once the wire harness assembly is formed, installing the wire harness assembly to the structure of the vehicle. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The method as defined in claim 15, wherein installing the wire harness assembly to the structure of the vehicle comprises attaching the wire harness assembly to the structure of the vehicle. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The method as defined in claim 15, wherein the bracket support is removably attached to the conductive body and wherein attaching the wire harness assembly to the structure of the vehicle comprises attaching the conductive body to the corresponding bracket support connected to the structure of the vehicle. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The method as defined in claim 17, wherein attaching the harness assembly to the bracket support provides electric connection between the wire harness assembly and the structure of the vehicle. ### Claim 19 (depends on 13) The method as defined in claim 13, further comprising connecting at least one terminal module to the bracket when performing either one of steps a) and b). ### Claim 20 (depends on 13) The method as defined in claim 13, wherein the terminal modules comprise any one of a junction box, a relay and a diode board.