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US 12,749,632 B2Granted
Multi-terminal tracer wire access point
AssigneeCopperweld Group, Inc.
InventorTrevor Schroedl
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An access point for sending signals along a plurality of tracer wires includes a base and a cover attached to the base. The access point includes a plurality of terminals wherein each of the plurality of terminals include a bore for receiving one of the plurality of tracer wires within a cavity of the base and conductively connect to each of the plurality of tracer wires to each of the terminals. A switching mechanism is slidably positioned between the base and the cover wherein the switching mechanism includes a ground terminal configured to conductively connect to a ground wire. The switching mechanism is configured to slide between a first position where conductive contact is made between the switching mechanism and each of the plurality of terminals and a second, ground open position.
Claims20
An access point for sending signals along a plurality of tracer wires, the access point comprising:
- a base comprising:
- an upper wall having a plurality of spaced apart receptacles and a first slot;
- and
- a side wall extending from the upper wall, wherein the side wall includes an opening;
- a cover attached to the base wherein the cover and the base define a cavity therebetween, wherein the cover includes a second slot substantially aligned with the first slot when the cover is attached to the base;
- a plurality of terminals positioned within the plurality of receptacles, wherein each of the plurality of terminals include a bore located below the upper wall, wherein the bore is configured to accept one of a plurality of tracer wires and wherein each of the plurality of terminals is configured to conductively connect to each of the plurality of tracer wires;
- and
- a switching mechanism slidably positioned within the cavity, wherein the switching mechanism includes a ground terminal configured to conductively connect to a ground wire, the switching mechanism configured to be slid with the first and second slots between a first, grounded or ground closed position where conductive contact is made between the switching mechanism and each of the plurality of terminals and a second, ungrounded or ground open position wherein the switching mechanism is detached from the plurality of terminals;
- wherein the opening is configured to allow the plurality of tracer wires and the ground wire to pass through to the plurality of terminals such that when the access point is mounted to a surface, the connection between the plurality of tracer wires and the plurality the terminals and the ground wire and the ground terminal are substantially inaccessible.
6 more elements
An access point for sending signals along a plurality tracer wires, the access point comprising:
- a base comprising:
- an upper wall having a plurality of spaced apart receptacles and a first slot;
- and
- a side wall extending from the upper wall;
- a cover attached to the base wherein the cover and the base define a cavity therebetween, wherein the cover includes a second slot substantially aligned with the first slot when the cover is attached to the base;
- a plurality of terminals positioned within the plurality of receptacles, wherein each of the plurality of terminals include a bore located below the upper wall, wherein the bore is configured to accept one of a plurality of tracer wires and wherein each of the plurality of terminals includes a conducting mechanism configured to engage the tracer wire in the bore and conductively contact the tracer wire by piercing an insulating jacket;
- and
- a switching mechanism slidably positioned within the cavity, wherein the switching mechanism includes a ground terminal configured to conductively connect to a ground wire, the switching mechanism configured to be slid with the first and second slots between a first, grounded or ground closed position where conductive contact is made between the switching mechanism and each of the plurality of terminals and a second, ungrounded or ground open position wherein the switching mechanism is detached from the plurality of terminals.
5 more elements
An access point for sending signals along a plurality tracer wires, the access point comprising:
- a base comprising:
- an upper wall having a plurality of spaced apart receptacles and a first slot;
- and
- a side wall extending from the upper wall, wherein the side wall includes an opening;
- a cover attached to the base wherein the cover and the base define a cavity therebetween, wherein the cover includes a second slot substantially aligned with the first slot when the cover is attached to the base;
- a plurality of terminals positioned within the plurality of receptacles, wherein each of the plurality of terminals include a bore located below the upper wall, wherein the bore is configured to accept one of a plurality of tracer wires and wherein each of the plurality of terminals includes a conducting mechanism configured to engage the tracer wire in the bore and conductively contact the tracer wire by piercing an insulating jacket;
- and
- a switching mechanism slidably positioned within the cavity, wherein the switching mechanism includes a ground terminal configured to conductively connect to a ground wire, the switching mechanism configured to be slid within the first and second slots between a first, grounded or ground closed position where conductive contact is made between the switching mechanism and each of the plurality of terminals and a second, ungrounded or ground open position wherein the switching mechanism is detached from the plurality of terminals;
- wherein the opening is configured to allow the plurality of tracer wires and the ground wire to pass through to the plurality of terminals such that when the access point is mounted to a surface, the connection between the plurality of tracer wires and the plurality the terminals and the ground wire and the ground terminal are substantially inaccessible.
6 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.