Clamping apparatus and method for connecting a ground conductor to a grounding member

A method for connecting a ground conductor to a grounding member, comprising:

• inserting the ground conductor through an inner region defined and encompassed by a continuous annular wall, the inner region adapted to have therein a connection area for the ground conductor to contact the grounding member, the continuous annular wall having an inward facing surface and an outward facing surface with respect to the inner region, the inward facing surface including:
• an arcuate portion having a first average radius of curvature and opposing ends, the arcuate portion further being configured so as to be concave with respect to the connection area and defining a medially-disposed aperture extending through the annular wall substantially transversely to the inner region;
• first and second leg portions continuously, smoothly, and uninterruptedly extending from the respective opposing ends of the arcuate portion, and cooperating with the opposing ends to define a single continuous and uninterrupted taper having a continuously increasing taper rate, without any projection inward toward the connection area, away from the arcuate portion and to respective spaced-apart leg ends;
• an arcuate trough portion disposed substantially opposite to the arcuate portion and having opposing ends and a second average radius of curvature less than the first average radius of curvature, the second average radius of curvature being less than half of a distance between the spaced-apart leg ends, the trough portion further being configured so as to be concave with respect to the connection area and having a depth greater than one-third of a width thereof;
• and
• an arcuate interface extending between each of the first and second leg ends and the respective opposing ends of the trough portion, the arcuate interfaces being configured so as to be convex with respect to the connection area, each arcuate interface thereby having an increased taper rate with respect to the single continuous taper of, and as the arcuate interface extends from, the respective first and second leg ends, each arcuate interface further continuously, smoothly and uninterruptedly transitioning to a decreased taper rate upon extending to the respective opposing ends of the trough portion, the arcuate interfaces thereby forming opposing lateral support members adapted to maintain the ground conductor laterally within the trough portion when the ground conductor is received thereby;
• inserting the grounding member through the inner region and moving the grounding member along the inner region toward the trough portion so as to contact the ground conductor received by the trough portion;
• and
• threading a threaded rod, threadedly engaged with the annular wall defining the aperture, toward the trough portion such that a securement end thereof provides a clamping force for clamping the grounding member against the ground conductor, the ground conductor thereby being retained with respect to the trough portion by the grounding member in cooperation with the lateral support members.