Electrical grounding clamp and methods of use
OwnerJill Beeneinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Grounding clamps described herein provide a direct connection to ground between a power transmission or power distribution line and a nearby grounded L-shaped beam. The complementary L-shaped interfacing surfaces of the clamps described herein permit an operator to ground the clamps to an L-beam with a uniform distribution to the exterior and interior surfaces of the L-beam. The grounding clamps provide a secure and rigid bite into the interior and exterior surfaces of the L-beam, thereby preventing slip or dislodgement of the device when appropriately affixed thereby reducing the risk of electric shock.
Claims20
1-20. (canceled)
A grounding clamp for use with an L-shaped beam comprising:
- a. a rigid metallic base member comprising a first plate attached to a second plate at a right angle, the base member having an interior surface and an exterior surface, wherein a first flange is provided at an outside edge of said first plate and a second flange is provided at an outside edge of said second plate;
- b. a rigid metallic alignment member having a third flange at a first edge thereof, and a fourth flange at an opposite edge thereof, wherein said first and third flanges are complementary to and capable of interlocking with each other, and said second and fourth flanges are complementary to and capable of interlocking with each other, for coupling said base member and said alignment member around said L-shaped beam.
A grounding clamp for use with an L-shaped beam comprising:
- a. a rigid metallic base member comprising a first plate attached to a second plate at a right angle, the base member having an interior surface and an exterior surface, the base member further comprising a support member attached at an edge of one of said first plate and said second plate, said support member having a threaded opening therein;
- b. a threaded shaft for rotational engagement with said threaded opening, said shaft having a handle at a proximal end thereof;
- c. a wedge member comprising a third plate attached to a fourth plate at a right angle, the wedge member having an interior surface and an exterior surface, wherein said exterior wedge surface is complementary to said interior base surface;
- and
- d. a receptacle located on said interior wedge surface for receiving a joint provided at a distal end of said shaft.
A grounding clamp for use with an L-shaped beam comprising:
- a. a rigid metallic base member comprising a first plate attached to a second plate at a right angle, the base member having an interior surface and an exterior surface;
- b. a wedge member comprising a third plate attached to a fourth plate at a right angle, the wedge member having an interior surface and an exterior surface;
- c. a hinge operable to movably engage an edge of said first plate with an edge of said third plate;
- and
- d. a clamp operable to engage an edge of said second plate with an edge of said fourth plate.
A method for electrically grounding an L-shaped beam comprising the steps of:
- a. positioning a first rigid metallic L-shaped member having an interior surface and exterior surface against an outer surface of said L-shaped beam;
- b. positioning a second rigid metallic member having an L-shaped exterior surface against an interior surface of said L-shaped beam;
- c. securely clamping said first and second rigid metallic members together around said L-shaped beam;
- d. connecting an end of an electrical cable to a cable receiver on one of said first rigid member or said second rigid member;
- and
- e. grounding an opposite end of said electrical cable.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.