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US 5,644,830 AGranted
Method of forming electrical connection
AssigneeMultifastener Corporation
InventorsHarold A. Ladouceur, Rudolf R. M. Muller
Life of this patent
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AssigneeMultifastener Corporation
InventorsHarold A. Ladouceur, Rudolf R. M. Muller
Estimating the term…
A method of forming an electrical connection to a conductive metal panel, wherein the connection includes a conductive metal stud having an annular riveting portion, an integral intermediate radial flange portion, and an externally threaded stud portion, a nut member adapted to be threadably received on the stud member shank portion having an end portion adapted to sealingly contact an annular electrical contact surface surrounding the shank portion of the stud member. The method includes threadably assembling the nut member on the stud member shank portion forming an assembly with sealing contact between the member end portion and the stud member contact surface. The assembly is then oriented with the free end of the stud member riveting portion opposite the panel, driving the riveting portion through an opening formed in the panel and deforming the annular riveting portion radially outwardly to rivet the assembly to the panel and form an electrical contact between the stud member and the panel. The panel may then be coated with a nonconductive coating which does not contaminate the electrical contact surface of the stud member. The method then includes threadably removing the nut member, assembling the grounding lug on the stud member in electrical contact with the contact surface of the stud member and threadably receiving a nut on the shank portion to secure the grounding stud in electrical contact with the panel. In one embodiment, the stud member, includes a plastic cap and a radial flange which extends radially beyond the cap. The method then includes driving the plunger against the flange portion to drive the riveting portion of the stud member through the panel opening and deforming the riveting portion radially outwardly in a die member. In another preferred embodiment, the nut member is metal and the method includes driving a punch against the nut member, driving the riveting portion of the stud member through the panel opening. In a most preferred embodiment, the riveting portion pierces an opening in the panel which receives the riveting portion therethrough.
A method of attaching an electrical grounding connector assembly to an electrically conductive panel, said electrical grounding connector assembly of the type having a grounding stud connector and a displaceable cap, said 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 assembly including barbed elements 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, said displaceable cap being adapted to cooperatively engage and substantially cover said stud portion 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, said method comprising the steps of:
A method of forming an electrical connection to a conductive metal panel, said connection including a conductive metal stud member having an annular riveting portion, an integral intermediate radial flange portion, and an externally threaded shank portion integral with said flange portion and generally coaxially aligned with said riveting portion, said annular riveting portion having an open free end and said flange portion having an annular electrical contact surface surrounding said shank portion, a nut member having an internally threaded opening adapted to be threadably received on said stud member shank portion and an annular end portion adjacent said opening adapted to sealingly engage said electrical contact surface of said stud member flange portion, and an annular grounding lug having an opening adapted to be received on said stud member shank portion, said method comprising:
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.