Electrical grounding stud

An electrical grounding connector for attachment to an electrically conductive panel, said electrical grounding connector assembly of the type having a grounding stud connector having a body portion disposed between, and integrally joining, a stud portion and a riveting portion, said body portion including a flange portion extending generally radially from said body portion, said flange having a panel engaging surface and a lug engaging surface, said electrical grounding connector comprising:

• a first barb, disposed on at least one of said riveting portion and said panel engaging surface of said flange portion, for conducting electrical current between said electrical grounding connector assembly and said conductive panel when said electrical grounding connector is joined to said electrically conductive panel;
• a second barb, integral with and extending between both said stud portion and said lug engaging surface of said flange portion, for conducting electrical current between said electrical grounding connector and a conductive lug when said conductive lug is forced against said electrical grounding connector;
• a cap adapted to cooperatively engage and substantially cover said stud portion of said grounding stud connector and also adapted to cover said lug engaging surface of said flange thereby protecting said stud portion and said lug engaging surface of said flange from contaminants.

An electrical grounding connector assembly assembled to an electrically conductive member comprising:

• a male fastener having a body portion disposed between, and integrally joining, a stud portion and a riveting portion, said body portion including a flange extending generally radially outwardly from said body portion, said flange having a panel engaging surface and a lug engaging surface, said riveting portion terminating in a radially deformed lip, said male fastener including first barbed means, disposed on at least one of said panel engaging surface of said flange and said riveting portion, for conducting electrical current between said male fastener and said electrically conductive member, wherein said first barb means extends between and is integrally joined to both said riveting portion and said panel engaging surface of said flange portion;
• second barb means, integral with and extending between both said stud portion and said lug engaging surface of said flange portion, for conducting electrical current between said electrical grounding connector and a conductive lug when said conductive lug is forced against said lug engaging surface;
• a plastically deformable, electrically conductive panel member including an opening intimately surrounding said riveting portion of said male fastener, said male fastener entrapped within said panel opening between said radially deformed lip and said radially extending flange, wherein said first barbed means is in continuous electrical contact with said electrically conductive panel thereby forming an electrically conductive path between said electrically conductive panel and said male fastener;
• and
• a female element having a body portion having an axial bore therein, said axial bore adapted to engage said stud portion of said male fastener, wherein said female element is adapted to cover said stud portion of said flange and also cover said lug engaging surface of said flange thereby protecting said stud portion and said lug engaging surface of said flange from contaminants.